Trump's southern border wall: Vice president outlines plans to finish by 2029

US Vice President JD Vance, conveyed that President Trump aspires to complete the construction of the entire southern border wall by the end of his second term, a formidable objective that remained unfulfilled during his first term.

Vance made these remarks during a visit to Eagle Pass, Texas, alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The visit aimed to underscore the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to address illegal border crossings and combat drug trafficking. This trip followed a day after President Trump’s joint address to Congress, where immigration was a focal point of discussion.

While illegal border crossings have significantly decreased since Trump assumed office, his recent speeches have featured fewer references to the physical construction of the border wall, a key promise during his 2016 campaign and his first term.

Vance noted the shift in emphasis, observing that while the physical wall remains a priority, technological advancements are also playing a crucial role in border security. He emphasized the strategic use of artificial intelligence and surveillance technologies to enhance enforcement, stating that these tools, such as AI-powered cameras, enable the detection of illegal crossings from miles away.

"There are so many great artificial intelligence-enabled technologies that allow us, for example — a camera, not a person, but a camera picks up somebody two miles away who's about to come across the southern border," Vance explained. The vice president stressed that technology must be deployed across the entire southern border to improve enforcement.

During the visit, Vance also addressed the recent 25 per cent tariffs on nearly all imported goods from Mexico, imposed by the Trump administration due to concerns over Mexico's handling of border security. When asked what Mexico could do to reverse the tariffs, Vance stated, "We need a sustained commitment from the government of Mexico to take the job of border security seriously."

He highlighted the role of fentanyl, noting, "Fentanyl is the single-largest cause of death among young Americans," with much of the drug's precursor materials being sourced from China, processed in Mexico, and brought across the border by cartels.

The Trump administration has seen success in reducing illegal crossings, with February marking the lowest level of illegal border crossings in at least 25 years.  

By Vafa Guliyeva