Draft:Mexico–United States border wall in Texas

The Mexico–United States border wall in Texas (Spanish: muro fronterizo Estados Unidos–México en Texas) is a series of barriers along the Mexico–United States border in Texas intended to reduce illegal immigration to the United States from Mexico. The barrier is not a continuous structure, but a series of obstructions variously classified as "fences" or "walls" and includes floating marine barriers.

Between he physical barriers, security is provided by a "virtual fence" of sensors, cameras, and other surveillance equipment used to dispatch United States Border Patrol agents to suspected migrant crossings.

History

The border between Texas and Mexico has nearly always been a point of conflict, either between the Republic of Texas & Mexico, or between Mexico and the United States. Stimming from when Texas was a republic, through its annexation, wars, and up to the present, the border has been a pathway for commerce, tourism, drugs, human trafficking and more.

Organizations involved

Federal

The United States Border Patrol is the lead federal agency on all US borders. They are supported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency among other federal agencies.

State

The Office of the Governor of Texas is the lead organization for state agencies. Under the direction of Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas Highway Patrol, Texas Ranger Division, etc), Texas Facilities Commission, Texas General Land Office, Texas Military Department and the Texas Division of Emergency Management are involved in state border operations.

Local

Local city and county mayors, law enforcement, EMS, fire departments and local medical examiners & coroners lead local efforts at the borders. They are supported by federal and state agencies as well as numerous local, statewide, national and international Non-governmental organization's and Non profits that serve migrants and/or immigrant populations.

Types

Steel Bollard Fencing

• Description: Vertical steel beams spaced to allow visibility but prevent unauthorized crossings. Heights vary between 18 to 30 feet.
• Use: This is the predominant design for high-traffic areas, especially in urban zones or regions with substantial pedestrian crossings.

Concrete Levee Walls

• Description: These combine a concrete flood barrier base with steel bollards on top, serving a dual purpose of flood control and border security.
• Use: Commonly found in the Rio Grande Valley due to the region's flood-prone nature. They also provide more robust impedance than standalone bollards.

Vehicular Barriers

• Description: These are short fences or metal structures designed to stop vehicles while allowing the free passage of pedestrians and wildlife.
• Use: Frequently installed in remote or rugged terrain where pedestrian crossings are less common but vehicular smuggling attempts occur

Buoy Barriers

• Description: Floating barriers placed in the Rio Grande. These consist of interconnected buoys with netting or deterrent features below the waterline.
• Use: Deployed to discourage crossings via waterways, as seen recently near Eagle Pass, Texas

Legacy Fences

• Description: Older fencing designs, including chain-link or corrugated metal walls, built before the introduction of modern bollard structures.
• Use: Found in certain sections where the barriers have yet to be upgraded

Complementary Technologies

In addition to physical barriers, the system integrates:

• Surveillance Systems: Cameras, ground sensors, and radar for detecting and tracking movement.
• Lighting and Roads: Infrastructure supporting border patrol operations

Costs and Contracts

The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) has awarded five contracts to five firms totaling $1.28 billion USD.

By County

Cameron County

Wall sections are under construction.