Among the possible winners are construction firms, high-tech surveillance companies and cement manufacturers including, in what would be an ironic turn, one of Mexico’s largest materials companies. said last year that a 1,000-mile, 50-foot-high steel-and-concrete wall would run taxpayers about $40 billion. Past attempts at a wall have favored companies with decades of government contracting experience. An office at Customs and Border Protection was assigned to develop and construct a virtual and physical wall along the border with Mexico, to reduce illegal immigration. In 2005, one border project was harshly criticized by lawmakers after it was reported that cameras broke down frequently.

Source: New York Times January 28, 2017 09:56 UTC