Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told lawmakers Wednesday that the Trump administration is on schedule to complete the primary wall along the U.S.-Mexico border by June 2027, while a secondary wall system could be finished by summer 2028.
Mullin made the comments while testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee about the Department of Homeland Security’s fiscal year 2027 budget request. His remarks came one day after he appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee, where lawmakers questioned him on immigration enforcement, border security and the department’s broader priorities.
According to Mullin, DHS expects all contracts connected to the wall project to be issued by the end of the month. He said the department is making “great progress” and is on track to finish the primary wall from the Pacific region to the Gulf of America by June 2027.
The border wall has long been one of President Donald Trump’s most recognizable immigration policies. Supporters argue that a physical barrier helps reduce illegal crossings, disrupts cartel movement and gives border agents more control over high-traffic areas. Critics, however, have questioned the cost, environmental impact and effectiveness of wall construction, arguing that border security requires a broader strategy that includes technology, staffing, immigration courts and cooperation with Mexico.
TRENDING TODAY
Mullin told lawmakers that the primary wall is only one part of the administration’s border plan. He said DHS is also working on a secondary wall in selected areas where officials believe additional barriers are needed. According to Mullin, cartels and smugglers have adapted by cutting through existing barriers in remote locations, sometimes before Border Patrol agents can respond.
“The primary wall is the first wall up,” Mullin told the committee, explaining that DHS views the secondary wall as necessary in areas where criminal groups attempt to breach the first barrier. He described cartels as dangerous organizations and said each additional mile of fencing narrows the areas where smugglers can cross.
Mullin said the secondary system would include physical barriers in certain locations as well as technology-based enforcement tools. He referred to a “smart wall” that could help agents identify how many people are near the border and allow DHS to deploy drones to monitor activity in real time.
The secretary said that if current progress and partnerships continue, the secondary wall system could be completed by summer 2028. He added that the department is using a combination of physical infrastructure and surveillance technology to improve response times in remote areas.
Mullin also said he has personally reviewed construction progress, including through multiple trips to the border and aerial inspections. He told lawmakers he has flown over a significant amount of the project and believes the department is moving within its expected timeline.
The testimony comes as the Trump administration continues to prioritize immigration enforcement and border security in its second term. Mullin, a former Republican senator from Oklahoma, was confirmed as Homeland Security secretary earlier this year after being nominated by Trump. His confirmation followed debate over the direction of DHS and the administration’s aggressive immigration agenda.
During recent congressional appearances, Mullin has faced questions from Democrats over the administration’s enforcement policies and legal approach. Reuters reported that during a Senate hearing this week, Mullin declined to definitively say he would follow court orders that conflict with the administration’s immigration policies, prompting sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers who said respect for the courts is essential to the rule of law.
The border wall discussion is likely to remain politically divisive. Republicans generally argue that completing the wall is necessary to restore control of the southern border and reduce illegal crossings. Democrats and immigration advocates often argue that walls alone cannot solve the challenges of migration, asylum processing, drug trafficking and transnational crime.
Mullin said DHS is trying to address concerns raised by some Democratic lawmakers, including senators and members of Congress who have questioned aspects of the wall project. He said the department attempts to respond to those concerns quickly when they are brought forward.
The administration’s timeline now sets two major benchmarks: June 2027 for the primary wall and summer 2028 for secondary barriers and related technology in selected areas. Whether DHS can meet those deadlines will depend on contracting, funding, legal challenges, land access, environmental reviews and construction conditions across different parts of the border.
For Trump, the wall remains both a policy project and a political symbol. For DHS, Mullin is presenting it as part of a layered border strategy that combines fencing, surveillance, drones and rapid response. The debate now turns to whether the project can be completed on schedule and whether it will deliver the security improvements the administration has promised.
Why It Matters
Mullin’s testimony matters because it gives lawmakers and the public a clearer timeline for one of the Trump administration’s central border security promises. Completing the primary wall by June 2027 and a secondary system by summer 2028 would represent a major expansion of physical border infrastructure.
The issue also matters politically. Border security remains one of the most important topics in U.S. politics, and the wall is a defining part of Trump’s immigration agenda. Supporters see it as a needed tool against illegal crossings and cartel activity, while critics question whether the money would be better spent on technology, personnel and immigration system reforms.
What Comes Next
DHS says all contracts tied to the wall project are expected to be issued by the end of the month. After that, the department will face the challenge of keeping construction on schedule while managing legal, environmental, budgetary and logistical issues.
Congress is also likely to continue pressing Mullin for details on cost, oversight and effectiveness. As the 2027 and 2028 deadlines approach, lawmakers from both parties will watch whether the administration can meet its promised timeline and whether the expanded wall system changes conditions along the border.
C-SPAN carried the House Homeland Security Committee hearing where DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin discussed the department’s fiscal year 2027 budget and border security priorities.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) testifies at @HomelandDems @HomelandGOP – LIVE online here: https://t.co/2z5PAPi98R
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 3, 2026
