The White House Director of Strategic Communications – Mercedes Schlapp has said that as per the directives
of President of United States (U.S.), Donald Trump, they are preparing a draft proclamation for declaring National Emergency along the U.S. – Mexico border and to provide U.S. $ 7 billion of funding for constructing the proposed wall at the border
With U.S. Government shutdown running in its 34th day and various failed attempts to end the shutdown, Trump would exercise his authority under the National Emergencies Act and order Pentagon to immediately commence building extra barriers at the borders of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The project will be overseen by Army Corps of Engineers.
The draft proclamation reads, “The massive amount of aliens who unlawfully enter the United States each day is a direct threat to the safety and security of our nation and constitutes a national emergency. Now, therefore, I, Donald J. Trump, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C 1601, et seq.), hereby declare that a national emergency exists at the southern border of the United States.
Trump believes that constructing a wall at the border will help in reducing crime. He said, “If we don’t do it, this country is going to be worse than at any time in our history in terms of drug infestation and in terms of crime.”
As far as funding is concerned, U.S. $ 3.6 billion will be taken from Military’s Construction Budget. Another U.S. $ 3 billion will be used from the Defense Department’s Civil Works Fund. While Treasury Forfeiture Fund will contribute U.S. $ 681 million, the Department of Homeland Security Funds will invest U.S. $ 200 million.
Once the declaration is done, the US Army Corps of Engineers will commence construction of the wall, some of which could also include private property and would require Administration seizing the land. The Draft National Emergency Orders also have a provision for a sense of urgency with Administration plans, under which the environmental reviews can be skipped.
However, in such a situation, the Democrats in Congress will always have an option of objecting the National Emergency orders in the Court.
