Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told House members Wednesday that it has cost taxpayers roughly $72 million to halt construction on the wall along the U.S. southern border.
Mayorkas testifies this week in front of multiple Congressional subcommittees as his department requests a $2.9 billion increase in discretionary spending for the next fiscal year and as lawmakers raise concerns about the nation’s ongoing border crisis.
Mayorkas revealed the cost to DHS for ending wall construction spearheaded by former President Donald Trump during an exchange Wednesday with Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.).
“The wall projects—the majority of them—rest in the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers,” said Mayorkas. “Those that we ourselves control; I believe that the cost of discontinuing them is approximately $72 million. And I will follow up with you to ensure the accuracy of my statement this morning.”
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