Biden formally terminates national emergency declaration on the US-Mexico border
The IndependentSign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Joe Biden formally issued a proclamation on Thursday to terminate a national emergency declaration on the US-Mexico border issued by former President Donald Trump as part of an effort to fund his long-promised border wall. But building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution,” the proclamation, signed on Mr Biden’s first day in office, reads, adding: “It is a waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security.” The proclamation calls for a pause in construction and funding of the border wall, and directs the secretaries of defence and homeland security to assess the legality of the funding and contracting methods. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said separately on Thursday many migrants believe the "doors are open" to the United States following the recent election of Mr Biden, while warning that wasn't true and urging migrants not to believe traffickers who tell them they can get legal status immediately. Under pressure from Mr Trump in 2018 and 2019, the Mexican president posted thousands of immigration, military and National Guard agents at Mexico's border with Guatemala to stop caravans of Central American migrants from entering the country.Rights activists say Mexico's policy has exposed migrants to additional dangers, including excessive use of force by law enforcement forces, extortion by criminal gangs and violations of their human rights.