The public can now watch footage of the border wall being constructed between the United States and Mexico.
The Trump administration this week launched a website run by Customs and Border Protection that shows drone footage of the construction and provides updates on how much of the wall has been built.
“President Trump is delivering on his promise to build a border wall system to secure the border,” acting CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan said in a statement. “Border security is national security, and a strong border wall system is critical to keeping our nation safe.”
The border wall is still being constructed despite the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused many states to enforce stay-at-home orders to mitigate the spread of the virus. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the administration is following “government and CDC guidelines” as it works on the construction project.
Democrats, including Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have called for construction to halt during the pandemic.
“It is dangerous and unacceptable for border wall construction to continue during this public health crisis,” Cuellar said in a statement after sending a letter to Attorney General William Barr demanding the wall cease construction amid the virus.
“As medical experts and the Center for Disease Control [and Prevention] implore Americans to stay at home, construction crews continue to work in close quarters, jeopardizing the health of our border communities,” he added. “This is a public health threat and it must be stopped.”
As of Thursday, the website says 170 miles of the wall has been built.
