Work has begun in California to replace the border barrier that runs into the Pacific Ocean, a structure that has long stood as a symbol of division between the United States and Mexico, and this project has given rise to a contentious debate among local communities, migrant advocates, and authorities. The corrosion and degradation of the existing walls present a danger to the public, necessitating the construction of a new 30-foot bollard barrier to improve safety, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Border Patrol as reported by Fox 5 San Diego.

But not everyone is in favor of the new, taller barriers; activists and migrant advocates have been firmly against the project from its onset. They argue that the new structure will not only obstruct gatherings between loved ones on both sides of the border, but will also negatively impact the aesthetics of the area and pose a greater danger to migrants attempting to scale the barriers.

While work on the first barrier was completed in late July, the second barrier is currently under construction and expected to take several months to complete according to Fox 5 San Diego. A recent protest on the south side of the border saw activists rallying against the continued construction of the barriers. Daniel Watman, the group leader of Friends of Friendship Park, insisted that the walls were not needed and that residents on both sides of the border should not be divided

Furthermore, a binational garden divided by the border wall has suffered from the construction work, almost killing all of its plants and vegetation. Watman, who oversees the garden as well, expressed his concerns about the Border Patrol never allowing him or other volunteers to tend to the garden again in the future.

Meanwhile, local, state, and federal lawmakers from the San Diego area have lobbied President Joe Biden to keep his campaign promise of not building any additional border wall sections during his administration. However, President Biden has yet to make a commitment to stopping the project

The destruction of the existing barrier, which features colorful murals created by Mexican artists expressing thoughts on U.S.-Mexico immigration policies and migration, has been quite emotional for those who have cherished the unique site as noted by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The new barriers will permanently alter the look and feel of the area, however, Maria Teresa Fernández, a photographer and member of the group Friends of Friendship Park, believes it may not be the end for the expressive murals; she expressed confidence that the artists will repaint the fence once it is replaced.

Besides the aesthetics, the closure of Friendship Park due to construction has affected families who previously used it as a meeting point when they were unable to cross the border for whatever reasons as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Border Patrol has reiterated its commitment to resuming access to the park once construction is completed and operationally safe, though it remains unclear when that will be according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.