Trump is building a ‘smart wall’ on border. Here’s what that means

Washington Examiner ^ | 19 Oct, 2025 | Anna Giaritelli

[BeauBo]

Unlike in his first term, the second Trump administration has a significant head start on building and should have no problem finishing the project by 2029.

But there is one technical difference: This time around, the project is called a “smart wall.” Although technology was utilized in the border barrier system during Trump’s first term, it plays an even larger role in safeguarding the country now.

In fact, every one of the 1,954 miles of the border with Mexico will have a “smart wall,” allowing the White House to carry out what it first set out to accomplish nearly a decade ago...

...This time around, Republicans tucked $46.5 billion for the project into the One Big Beautiful Bill, which Congress passed in late spring and Trump signed on July 4.

Over 1,400 miles of the entire southern border will have a physical barrier to deter people from crossing by the time the current and future projects are completed.

The remaining 535 miles are not viewed by planners as ideal for building a wall or are considered low-risk areas for illegal crossings. However, the 535 miles will be provided with detection technology.

In addition, CBP is installing 550 miles of technology in parts of the border that have a physical barrier but lack sensors in the ground, cameras, and other technology.

[BeauBo]

...Chuck DeVore, chief national initiatives officer for the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, said the smart wall will give agents “domain awareness.”

“Domain means not only are you aware of what is going on in the visual light spectrum, but what can you see in thermal? What can you sense in terms of radio frequency waves?” DeVore said in a phone call on Friday. “Seismic vibrations that are created when you build a tunnel. And radar.”

While a physical barrier can slow down those who cross illegally, technology and the addition of artificial intelligence and machine learning can take the images and information from sensors and cameras and reach conclusions faster than humans.

“When you have domain awareness with the fusion of critical intelligence, then you have a machine gathering all of this stuff in relation to time and presenting a picture to you that is a real-time understanding of what is going on at the border,” DeVore said. “That allows you to deploy your limited assets … so now you can move to meet the threat.”"

[Eccl 10:2]

We need that technology along the entire Canadian border as well

[Bobbyvotes]

Canadian wall will have to wait for president JD Vance.

[happyathome]

“...technology and the addition of artificial intelligence and machine learning can take the images and information from sensors and cameras...”

Some people (including me) fear that this is just a trial run for use on the citizen population. Meaning the creation of a surveillance state.

[BeauBo]

“Some people (including me) fear that this is just a trial run for use on the citizen population”

I believe that “trial runs” for “Surveillance State” technology are underway all over the world anyway (like communist China, and Silicon Valley tech companies). May as well use the state of the art to secure the border.

[frank ballenger]

RE: We need that technology along the entire Canadian border as well.

Audio sensors will be triggered if “shheddyool”, “abooot”, “ooot” and “eh” are heard.

Sure thing it’s a Canadian trying to cross the border.

[Mozzafiato]

The problem with a “smart wall” is that the next Democratic president can flip it off like a switch

[Toughluck_freeper]

Or President Rubio, or President Desantis.

JD Vance talks great, but I don’t recall him actually doing much, so I am hesitant about his ability to get things done.

But Yes, the Canada wall project (an even bigger project) is next.

I guess that is why President Trump wants Canada to become part of the United States, think about all the money we would save in wall construction!! :P

[Bobbyvotes]

Agree 💯%