Fact Check: Border wall construction funded by CBP's Fiscal Year 2021 budget.

Fact Check: Border Wall Construction Funded by CBP's Fiscal Year 2021 Budget

What We Know

The claim that border wall construction is funded by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget has some basis in fact. According to a report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the FY 2021 budget included nearly $2 billion specifically allocated for the construction of approximately 82 miles of new border wall system (source-3). This funding was intended to support real estate and environmental planning, as well as the actual construction of the wall.

Furthermore, the CRS report indicates that appropriations from FY 2021 were indeed utilized to complete and remediate ongoing border wall projects (source-2). Recent updates from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirm that contracts for new border wall sections, such as a recent contract for 27 miles of new wall in Arizona, are funded with FY 2021 appropriations (source-5).

Analysis

While the initial claim holds some truth, it is essential to consider the context and nuances surrounding the funding. The FY 2021 budget did allocate funds for border wall construction, but these funds were also intended to cover costs related to ongoing projects from previous fiscal years (source-4). This means that while the FY 2021 budget is a source of funding, it is not the sole contributor to the current state of border wall construction.

The CRS is a nonpartisan entity that provides reliable information to Congress, which adds credibility to its reports (source-2). However, the interpretation of how funds are allocated can vary, and the reliance on prior year appropriations complicates the narrative. Additionally, the DHS's recent statements affirm that ongoing projects are funded by a combination of appropriations from FY 2020 and FY 2021, indicating that the funding landscape is more complex than the claim suggests (source-4).

Conclusion

Needs Research. While the claim that border wall construction is funded by CBP's FY 2021 budget is partially accurate, it oversimplifies the funding situation. The appropriations from FY 2021 are indeed being utilized, but they are part of a broader funding strategy that includes carryover from previous years. Further investigation into the specific allocations and their intended uses would provide a clearer picture of the funding dynamics for border wall construction.