Fact Check: $3 billion spent on Texas border wall has resulted in only 65 miles completed.

Fact Check: "$3 billion spent on Texas border wall has resulted in only 65 miles completed."

What We Know

The claim that Texas has spent $3 billion on a border wall and completed only 65 miles is supported by multiple credible sources. As of now, the state has indeed completed 65 miles of the border wall since construction began, which represents approximately 8% of the 805 miles identified for construction (AP News, The Independent). The total expenditure for this project has exceeded $3 billion, with the wall costing around $28 million per mile (The Independent, Newsweek).

Recently, Texas lawmakers decided to halt new funding for the border wall, reallocating the budget towards other border security measures instead (Texas Tribune, Yahoo News). This decision was made in light of the reduced number of migrant crossings and the assertion that federal efforts under the Trump administration have alleviated some of the need for state-funded barriers (AP News, Texas Tribune).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, with multiple sources confirming both the financial and physical aspects of the border wall project. The Texas Facilities Commission, responsible for the wall's construction, has publicly stated that only 65 miles have been completed and that the project is significantly behind its initial goals (Texas Tribune, Yahoo News).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they include established news outlets such as the Associated Press and The Texas Tribune, which are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking practices. The information is corroborated across different reports, indicating a consensus on the project's status and funding.

Critically, while some proponents of the wall argue for its necessity, experts have pointed out that the wall's construction has largely occurred in rural areas where illegal crossings are less frequent, raising questions about its overall effectiveness (The Independent, Texas Tribune). Furthermore, the decision to defund the project without public debate reflects a significant shift in legislative priorities, underscoring the contentious nature of border security in Texas politics.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "$3 billion spent on Texas border wall has resulted in only 65 miles completed" is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the state has indeed spent over $3 billion on the border wall project, which has resulted in the completion of only 65 miles. The decision to halt further funding for the wall further substantiates the claim, as it highlights the project's limited progress and the shifting priorities of Texas lawmakers.

Sources

1. Texas stops providing new funding for border wall ...
2. Texas spent $3 billion to build 65 miles of border wall. The ...
3. Texas quietly defunds state border wall program
4. Texas defunds state border wall program with only 65 miles ...
5. Texas spent $3 billion to build 65 miles of border wall. The ...
6. Texas Defunds Border Wall
7. Texas defunds state border wall program with only 65 ...
8. $3 Billion Later, Texas Border Wall Gets Scrapped Without ...