New border wall in Santa Teresa billed as serious structure

A new wall being constructed along a 20-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border in southern New Mexico is being advertised as a “serious structure” that is part of President Donald Trump’s effort to secure the border.

The bollard-style wall that will be installed over the next year west of the Santa Teresa port of entry will be at least 18 feet tall with a 5-foot plate at the top to prevent people from climbing over it.

It will be filled with concrete and re-bar and extend several feet into the ground. There will be another couple feet of concrete below that to prevent people from digging under it.

El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Hull says by replacing existing vehicle barriers with the new wall, agents will be able to better address the rising number of illegal crossings with the help of a physical deterrent and technology.