July 29, 2022 6:17pm EDT
Biden's AZ border wall move could be to 'help one of their own' win re-election, border official says
The announcement comes after Biden promised 'not another foot' of border wall construction during his campaign
By Thomas Phippen , Andrew Murray | Fox News
The timing of the Biden administration's announcement to complete open segments of the border wall near Yuma, Arizona, could be to "help one of their own," said Brandon Judd, president for the National Border Patrol Council, as Sen. Mark Kelly, (D-AZ), faces a tough re-election fight amid criticism from the GOP over border security and immigration.
Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas announced Thursday that he had approved construction to close several gaps in the border wall in the Yuma sector that have become highly-trafficked spots for border-crossers. Mayorkas said the gaps were a safety risk for migrants due to the proximity to the Morelos Dam.
Kelly for months has been advocating for approval to close those gaps, and celebrated the announcement in a statement Thursday, taking credit for finally being able to "secure a commitment from the administration to get this done," according to his office.
The actual construction could be months away, however. Kelly told News 11 Yuma in an interview Thursday that he expects the first contract to be finalized in September, with construction schedule still to be finalized. And the DHS announcement that "Prior to construction, DHS will engage in standard environmental planning and conduct stakeholder outreach and consultation," while moving "as expeditiously as possible."
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bidens-az-border-wall-move-could-help-one-their-own-win-re-election-border-official-says
