Despite campaign promises, it looks like, for now, American taxpayers will be stuck with the bill for a border wall.
Members of Congress have given preliminary approval to a $44 billion homeland security funding bill that includes $1.6 billion for fencing.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, says it won't be one long concrete barrier, like some want.
"They're looking at a levee-fence in the valley and they're looking at some fencing in Starr County," he tells Newsradio 1200 WOAI
.He's been meeting with both the Border Patrol and the International Water Boundary Commission to determine what type of security is best in which places. In some areas, there have been concerns that a solid barrier would aggravate flooding along the Rio Grande, and potentially put some neighborhoods in harm’s way.
If that $1.6 billion figure survives congressional approval, it would merely fund a tiny portion of the wall, which is estimated to cost as much as $70 billion.
Cuellar is more concerned about the message that is being sent.
He's been meeting with Mexican officials and says there is a growing frustration over what they feel as disrespect from the White House.
Mexican nationals with the correct paperwork, who normally love shopping and dining in South Texas, he says are staying home. And that's affecting American jobs.
"Restaurant owners from.... I shouldn’t mention but... chain restaurants in Laredo and McAllen say they've lost about 50-percent of these people."