Kristi Noem announces 7 miles of new border wall construction in Arizona, marking another step in Trump’s promise to seal the southern border and cut illegal crossings by 95%.
At a Glance
- Kristi Noem revealed plans for a new 7-mile border wall segment in Arizona’s Nogales area, previously a major cartel smuggling route
- Illegal border crossings have plummeted by 95% under President Trump’s renewed enforcement policies
- Daily border encounters have dropped below 200, allowing agents to focus on enforcement rather than processing
- ICE has arrested over 32,000 people since Trump took office, nearly matching Biden’s entire 2024 total
- Noem highlighted sophisticated smuggling attempts including fentanyl hidden in watermelons and meth concealed in charcoal
Border Wall Construction Resumes Under Trump Administration
The Trump administration is continuing its commitment to border security with the announcement of a new 7-mile stretch of border wall in Arizona. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed the plans during a visit to the southern border, where she highlighted the administration’s significant progress in reducing illegal crossings. The construction site in Nogales, Arizona has been identified as a critical area that had become a preferred route for cartel smugglers trafficking both people and illegal drugs into the United States.
This new section of wall represents the ongoing fulfillment of President Trump’s campaign promises to secure the border and dramatically reduce illegal immigration. According to Noem, the administration’s enforcement-first approach has already yielded remarkable results, with illegal crossings reportedly down by 95% compared to the peak numbers under the previous administration. The construction in Nogales targets a specific vulnerability in America’s border security infrastructure.
Dramatic Reduction in Illegal Border Crossings
The Trump administration’s renewed focus on border security has produced immediate and substantial results. Secretary Noem reported that daily border encounters have fallen to historic lows, with recent daily totals dropping below 200 individuals. This dramatic decrease represents a stark contrast to the situation inherited from the Biden administration, which saw record-breaking numbers of illegal crossings month after month throughout its tenure.
“Just recently, we saw less than 200 encounters in a day. That’s remarkable. Now our agents can get back to doing their jobs and enforcing the law instead of processing.” – Secretary Noem
The reduction in crossings has allowed Border Patrol agents to return to their primary law enforcement duties rather than being overwhelmed with processing paperwork for unprecedented numbers of migrants. This shift in focus has enabled the administration to take a more aggressive stance against criminal elements attempting to exploit border vulnerabilities. According to official figures, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has already arrested over 32,000 individuals since President Trump took office, nearly matching the total ICE arrests made during all of 2024 under the previous administration.
Combating Cartel Influence and Sophisticated Smuggling
Secretary Noem specifically highlighted the impact of enhanced border security on Mexican cartels, which she described as growing increasingly desperate as their traditional smuggling routes are being shut down. During her border visit, Noem shared details of sophisticated smuggling attempts that have been intercepted by Customs and Border Protection officers, including fentanyl hidden inside watermelons and methamphetamine concealed within bags of charcoal. These examples underscore the lengths to which criminal organizations will go to continue their illegal trafficking operations.
“Everybody, I’m here in Arizona, and right at this spot, you can see where the border wall ends.” – Kristi Noem
In her announcement, Noem emphasized the administration’s zero-tolerance approach to illegal border crossings and the importance of physical barriers as part of a comprehensive border security strategy. The new wall segment is designed to close a gap that has been exploited by smugglers and will complement other enforcement measures being implemented along the southern border. The Secretary praised the work of Customs and Border Protection officers at the Nogales Port of Entry for their vigilance and effectiveness in intercepting contraband and preventing illegal entries.
Commitment to Law Enforcement and National Security
The resumption of border wall construction represents just one component of the administration’s broader approach to immigration enforcement and national security. Noem, who previously served as governor of South Dakota before being tapped to lead the Department of Homeland Security, has consistently emphasized the importance of enforcing existing immigration laws and supporting the work of border security personnel. Her message from the border reinforced the administration’s commitment to “make America safe again” through consistent enforcement and strategic infrastructure development.
“They recognize that we’re enforcing our federal laws, that we’re not letting people just walk across the border anymore. We are building a wall, we are securing our borders, and we’re not going to let this illegal activity continue.” – Kristi Noem
The contrast between the current administration’s approach and that of its predecessor could not be starker. While the Biden administration had halted border wall construction and implemented policies that critics argued encouraged illegal immigration, the Trump administration has moved swiftly to reverse course. The results, according to Noem and administration officials, speak for themselves in the form of dramatically reduced crossings and increased criminal apprehensions.
