logo
  • Home
  • National
  • Sylhet
    • Moulvibazar
    • Sunamganj
    • Habiganj
  • NRB News
  • UK News
  • International
  • Sports
  • Tourism
  • Entertainment
  • Business
    • Technology
    • Featured
    • Opinion
    • Health
    • Life Style
    • Photo Gallery
    • Sylhet Mirror Team
  • Home
  • National
  • International
  • UK News
  • NRB News
  • Sylhet
  • Sunamganj
  • Moulvibazar
  • Habiganj
  • Business
  • Featured
  • Health
  • Life Style
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Photo Gallery
  • Sports
  • SUST
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Sylhet Mirror Team
  • Contact us
  1. Home
  2. International
  3. US-Mexico border wall: Pentagon authorises $1bn transfer

US-Mexico border wall: Pentagon authorises $1bn transfer


Published: 26 March 2019, 1:18:07

The Pentagon has authorised the transfer of $1bn (£758m) to army engineers for new wall construction along the US-Mexico border.

The funds are the first under the national emergency declared by President Donald Trump to bypass Congress and build the barrier he pledged during his election campaign.

Democrats have protested against the move.

The funds will be used to build about 57 miles (91km) of fencing.

President Trump has called the situation at the southern border a “crisis” and insists a physical barrier is needed to stop criminals crossing into the US. His critics say he has manufactured the border emergency.

A Pentagon statement said acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan had “authorised the commander of the US Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning and executing up to $1bn in support to the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol”.

The statement cited a federal law that “gives the Department of Defence the authority to construct roads and fences and to install lighting to block drug-smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States in support of counter-narcotic activities of federal law enforcement agencies”.

As well the 18ft-high (5m) “pedestrian fencing”, the funds will cover road improvements and new lights.

Democratic senators complained that the Pentagon had not sought permission from the appropriate committees before notifying Congress of the funds transfer.

“We strongly object to both the substance of the funding transfer, and to the department implementing the transfer without seeking the approval of the congressional defence committees and in violation of provisions in the defence appropriation itself,” the senators wrote in a letter to Mr Shanahan, CNN reported.

Mr Trump declared the emergency on 15 February after Congress refused his requests for $5.7bn (£4.4bn) to construct the wall. By declaring an emergency he sought to bypass Congress and build the wall with military funding.

Democrats branded the declaration unconstitutional.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a resolution to overturn the emergency last month, and 12 Republicans later sided with Democratic Senators to get it through the Senate.

However, Mr Trump vetoed the resolution earlier this month.

Congress will now need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override him, which correspondents say is unlikely to happen.

International
Pope Leo calls for ‘merciful compassion’ for poor and victims of war

Pope Leo calls for ‘merciful compassion’ for poor and victims of war

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok mirrors Musk’s views, searches his opinions before answering

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok mirrors Musk’s views, searches his opinions before answering

Fuel cut to Air India plane moments before crash: Report

Fuel cut to Air India plane moments before crash: Report

Russia says 155 Ukrainian drones intercepted overnight

Russia says 155 Ukrainian drones intercepted overnight

Latest News
Starmer to meet Trump during Scotland trip ahead of state visit
Starmer to meet Trump during Scotland trip ahead of state visit
Sadiq Khan could cut car parking spaces under plans leaked by careless official
Sadiq Khan could cut car parking spaces under plans leaked by careless official
Four dead in Southend Airport plane crash
Four dead in Southend Airport plane crash
Bitcoin tops $120,000 for the first time
Bitcoin tops $120,000 for the first time
Comfortable shirts, fatua for summer
Comfortable shirts, fatua for summer
One more die of COVID-19
One more die of COVID-19
Ex-minister Qamrul denied bail
Ex-minister Qamrul denied bail
Mitford murder: 2 siblings put on 5-day remand
Mitford murder: 2 siblings put on 5-day remand
No significant rise in crime, data shows
No significant rise in crime, data shows
Biman resumes Sylhet-Manchester direct flights after 2 months
Biman resumes Sylhet-Manchester direct flights after 2 months
Women’s protest, voices gave new strength to anti-fascist movement: Ali Riaz
Women’s protest, voices gave new strength to anti-fascist movement: Ali Riaz
Chelsea beat PSG to win Club World Cup as Maresca hails triumph equal to Champions League
Chelsea beat PSG to win Club World Cup as Maresca hails triumph equal to Champions League
BNP forms probe committee over Mitford murder
BNP forms probe committee over Mitford murder
Nasir, Tamima plead not guilty in court
Nasir, Tamima plead not guilty in court
Third group of 30 Bangladeshis repatriated from Tehran amid regional tensions
Third group of 30 Bangladeshis repatriated from Tehran amid regional tensions


© 2023 Sylhetmirror.com All Rights Reserved

Editor : Mohammed Abdul Karim (Goni)
Executive Editor : Enamul Haque Renu

Sylhet Mirror Team

Office: Unit 2, 60 Hanbury Street London E1 5JL Email : sylhetmirror@gmail.com

Developed by: Web Design & IT Company in Bangladesh

Go to top