“about two totally new miles built in three-plus years.”
...in the Rio Grande Valley.
There is a smattering of small patches in other areas that might add up to another 2 in total, if you don’t count any Secondary Barrier. Because crews just recently began working on totally “new” stretches, there is finally going to be a weekly increase from here on out in the “new” areas, which most significantly means the Rio Grande Valley (RGV).
The rate is going to increase sharply as well, based on the contracts that have already been awarded, and again (even more) by the contracts coming. About $6.3 billion has been put on contract so far (2017 till now) - but about $12 billion is expected to go on contract in 2020.
We are not going to get an authoritative total for so-called “new” miles though , like we do from the Border Patrol Chief for the total Program, because the Administration does not recognize the legitimacy of the distinction. They view all the new construction as “new” miles - that discounting “replacement” is just a Leftist rhetorical trick to disparage the effort, and discourage supporters - a distinction without an operational difference.
In fact, any such criteria that would mis-direct investment dollars from where the traffic is actually heaviest, would sabotage the effectiveness of the Program. The objective is stop the most illegal traffic, not to justify the best talking points, or to try to mollify critics, who in many cases are just fundamentally dishonest in their objections.
No sense in erecting a “new” mile in the rural desert, while illegals are pouring over and through “existing” barriers in the border cities. First things first.
Experts armed with the actual data carefully prioritized the segments, and had to justify their analysis to hostile (and highly paid expert) auditors in both the Executive Branch’s OMB, and the Legislative Branch’s CBO. It is a badge of honor (and professional competence), that the highest trafficked corridors are being closed first.
Historically, the highest trafficked corridors have long been (for generations) San Diego, Yuma, and the Rio Grande Valley. All three (and other significant routes) have already been funded and contracted for effective closure. San Diego is done, Yuma is half done, and the RGV is scheduled to complete this year, regardless of what might happen in the election.
Of course recognizing new miles of fence is not just a leftist trick. To obscure such simple truths is an insult to taxpayers.