The implementation of President Trump’s border wall faces legal battles over private land.
While President Donald Trump intends to build a border wall for the security of the American people, many Americans face the fear of losing their land.
Aurora Flores Trigo is among 58 heirs to her grandmother’s land by the Rio Grande River. In January 2018, for the first time in over 100 years, it may be taken from her family. The US government sent her a declaration stating that it would seize 5,000 square meters in order to build the border wall. This letter offered $2,900 in compensation, which Trigo does not find to be comparable to the sentimental value the land holds.
The government has the power to take over private property for “compelling public reasons.” The Trump administration is already gearing up for legal fights against landowners, and it intends to hire 20 US attorneys dedicated to border land acquisition.
The border of Los Ebanos, Texas has been a commonplace for unauthorized crossing. While areas like these are in need of more border security, there are structural issues involved as well. The land surrounding the riverbanks is disintegrating, making the border wall practically unfeasible. Security measures such as hiring more patrol agents and electronic surveillance could be enough to suffice.
Some of the nearby residents think it is impossible to completely halt all undocumented immigrants from crossing into the US in regions like Los Ebanos, but Trump has promised to do so. To what it extent is he willing to go to in efforts keep this promise is still left to question.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.
Photo Credit: DNY59
Support Fair Observer
We rely on your support for our independence, diversity and quality.
For more than 10 years, Fair Observer has been free, fair and independent. No billionaire owns us, no advertisers control us. We are a reader-supported nonprofit. Unlike many other publications, we keep our content free for readers regardless of where they live or whether they can afford to pay. We have no paywalls and no ads.
In the post-truth era of fake news, echo chambers and filter bubbles, we publish a plurality of perspectives from around the world. Anyone can publish with us, but everyone goes through a rigorous editorial process. So, you get fact-checked, well-reasoned content instead of noise.
We publish 2,500+ voices from 90+ countries. We also conduct education and training programs
on subjects ranging from digital media and journalism to writing and critical thinking. This
doesn’t come cheap. Servers, editors, trainers and web developers cost
money.
Please consider supporting us on a regular basis as a recurring donor or a
sustaining member.
Will you support FO’s journalism?
We rely on your support for our independence, diversity and quality.
Overcoming American Greed and Apathy Won’t Be Easy
The US is making the bombs that Israel is dropping on Gaza. America’s moral foundation is so shaky now that...
Goodbye to American Century: China and India Now Rising
The 21st century could potentially be the century of the G-3—China, India, and the US—and whether that means new cold...
Who Will Buy America’s Debt Now?
Aside from the two years of 1998 and 2001, the US federal government has been running an annual fiscal deficit...
