Donald Trump's Mexican Wall Not Possible: CBP Commissioner

As GOP presidential candidates are demanding the U.S. seal off the border, the nation’s chief border official said that’s just not possible.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske addressed some of the comments made by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, which include extending a border fence between the United States and Mexico.

"You're certainly not going to have a border as long as we have with the government of Mexico that is going to not ever have anyone cross illegally," Kerlikowske said Tuesday while visiting the San Ysidro Port Of Entry south of San Diego.

Trump's immigration platform calls for a permanent border wall paid for by Mexico. If Mexico will not build the wall, Trump would take a number of steps to punish the country, such as increasing fees and potentially even canceling visas of Mexicans who want to come to the U.S., NBC News reported.

On NBC's "Meet The Press," Trump also said he would push to end the constitutionally-protected citizenship rights of children of any family living illegally inside the U.S., the Associated Press wrote.

Kerlikowske added that apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border are at record lows for this time of year.

The commissioner's visit was meant to focus on a recent public service campaign aimed at discouraging people from attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally.

In May, the U.S. State Department and CBP bought nearly 13,000 television and radio ads in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

The ads warn of the dangers, especially when dealing with human smuggling.They also warn that migrants would be immediately deported.

The campaign was slated to end in October.

Contact Us