The United States strengthens the border and accelerates the construction of a new border wall.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that more than 137 kilometers of border wall are in planning or accelerated construction in strategic sectors such as San Diego, Yuma, Tucson , El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley.

Construction of a new secondary barrier, with taller and more robust steel structures , began last week along the border between New Mexico and Ciudad Juárez . The project has drawn criticism from religious and human rights organizations.

“ It's curious that a country whose majority population is migrant insists on building walls. No matter how many barriers, spikes, or devices they put in place, they will never be able to stop migration ,” Javier Calvillo, parish priest of the Mater Dolorosa community in Ciudad Juárez , told EFE.

Heavy machinery and federal personnel have been observed working continuously in the border area where the project is being carried out—known for its irregular migrant and contraband crossings. According to CBP, the new section will be 11 kilometers long and will have steel bars more than 30 meters high .

The federal agency emphasized that the wall expansion responds to security needs at the most sensitive points along the southern border, although various social sectors warn that these measures intensify the criminalization of migration.

In this context, Father Calvillo also denounced the immigration raids in California , which, he said, disrespect churches and hospitals. “ It's a violation of human rights. We see a divided country, without a clear policy, and that's the result,” he said.

As part of its social response, the Catholic Church announced that it will hold the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, during which it will promote the message of “ building bridges, not walls.”

“ The country that has benefited the most from migration, both regular and irregular, is the United States. We see it in the agricultural sector, construction, and services,” Calvillo emphasized, calling on nations to recognize “the human, labor, and economic wealth ” that dignified migration entails.

On July 8, President Donald Trump celebrated the approval of a record-breaking immigration budget by Congress. The package includes more than $46 billion for border wall construction , more than triple the amount spent during his first term (2017-2021), according to an analysis by the American Immigration Council.