President Donald Trump looks set to keep to his election promise of building a massive wall between the United States and Mexico as a measure to fend off illegal immigrants entering the country.
In an interview with ABC News, anchor David Muir quizzed the 45th U.S. President on the construction of the wall. The President shared that the planning for the project would begin soon and the construction of the wall would commence "in months."
He also shared that Mexico would be paying for the border wall and that discussions between the two countries would be underway soon.
"Ultimately, it will come out of what's happening with Mexico ... and we will be in a form reimbursed by Mexico, which I've always said," affirmed Trump, who signed the executive order on Jan. 25
Repayment
Trump mentioned during his interview that Mexico would have to eventually pay back "100 percent" of the money that the United States spends for the construction of the proposed wall.
He also clarified that while U.S. tax payers may initially have to pay for the entire process pertaining to the construction, the reimbursement for the same would follow soon.
"I'm just telling you there will be a payment. It will be in a form, perhaps a complicated form. What I'm doing is good for the United States. It's also going to be good for Mexico. We want to have a very stable, very solid Mexico," shared Trump.
When he was asked about the plausible time frame when the entire proceeding would get underway, Trump stated that they are looking to get the ball rolling in the coming months.
What Is The Order All About?
The President has issued two directives or executive orders, one of which pertains to the border wall. This order asks the secretary of homeland security to undertake apt steps that are required to quickly "plan, design, and construct a physical wall along the southern border."
Agency and department heads are directed to not only identify, but also quantify all means of indirect or direct Federal assistance or aid given to the Mexican government. While the executive order calls for these actions, it does not state how the payment sources will be tied to the wall's payment, if at all.
A visibly pumped up Trump shared the directives in his speech at the Department of Homeland Security. The President asserted that from now on, the United States would get back border control. Trump is also optimistic that the orders will benefit American citizens in the long term as they will be instrumental in saving not only several lives and millions of job opportunities, but also "billions and billions of dollars."
Possible Repercussions?
Reports say Enrique Pena Nieto — the Mexican president — is thinking of canceling his impending trip to Washington, D.C. post the directive. Nieto is scheduled to visit the capital on Jan. 31.
Photo: Gage Skidmore | Flickr
