The Pentagon has authorized the transfer of $1bn (£758m) to army engineers for new wall construction along the US-Mexico border, a strong election promise of then-Presidential candidate Donald Trump and reason behind the “soft shutdown” of the US federal government.
The funds are the first under the national emergency declared by President Donald Trump to bypass Congress and build the barrier he pledged during his election campaign.
The move was strongly protested by Democrats.
The budget will be utilized to build about 57 miles (91km) of fencing.
President Trump has called the situation at the southern border a “crisis” and insists a physical barrier is needed to stop criminals crossing into the US.
The President critics say he has manufactured the border emergency.
A Pentagon statement said acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan had “authorized the commander of the US Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning and executing up to $1bn in support to the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol”.
The agency added it “gives the Department of Defense the authority to construct roads and fences and to install lighting to block drug-smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States in support of counter-narcotic activities of federal law enforcement agencies”.
As well the 18ft-high (5m) “pedestrian fencing”, the funds will cover road improvements and new lights.
Meanwhile, Democratic senators complained that the Pentagon had not sought permission from the appropriate committees before notifying Congress of the funds transfer.
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