US-Mexico Border Wall Already Under Construction As Private Company Builds Wall On Property

A section of president Donald Trump’s border wall rising at the U.S.-Mexico border near the New Mexico-Texas state line is being privately funded by a non-profit founded by triple-amputee Air Force veteran and Trump admirer, Brian Kolfage.

Kolfage, a right-wing supporter whose Facebook pages have been shut down for unacceptable rhetoric, claims his firm, We Build the Wall Inc., has raised $20 million to fund the construction of a mile-long wall through a GoFundMe campaign.

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, chairman of We Build the Wall's advisory board, said the company has built a mile of border wall at El Paso that connects two 21-mile sections of existing fencing. The new wall sits on a private property.

"Border Patrol told us it's the No. 1 most important miles to close. The tough terrain always left it off the government list," said Bannon to CNN. "And that's what we focus on -- private land that is not in the program and take the toughest first."

“Buckle up, we're just getting started! If we can get this much done in three days, imagine what's about to be accomplished," wrote the company in a Facebook post, sharing images of construction.

Border residents interviewed by media said the construction of the wall surprised them.

One of these residents, Daniel Garcia Salinas, director of a museum on the Mexican side of the border, told CNN the new wall rose rapidly over the weekend. He said said that when he had left the museum on the afternoon of May 24, there was no fencing there. By next morning, portions of new wall had been constructed.

"They moved very quickly," he said.

Jeff Allen said he owns the property where We Build the Wall's team is working. He said he's excited to see the wall rising.

"They are doing an incredible job," he said. "I have fought illegals on this property for six years. I love my country and this is a step in protecting my country."

In December 2018, Kolfage attempted to raise $1 billion via GoFundMe for the construction of a border wall. Kolfage claimed the target figure was achievable but gave up the effort after raising only a $9 million by the target date.

In January 2019, Kolfage changed tack and decided that raising money through a new 501(c)(4) nonprofit would be more successful. He and others then organized We Build The Wall Inc., which Kolfage will use to have segments of the wall privately built through negotiations with landowners along the border.

Trump has endorsed the project saying, "...the project has my blessing, and you can tell the media that."