Why Biden maintains that he is forced to expand Trump's border wall

After long criticizing Donald Trump's southern border wall as a waste of money that doesn't stop illegal immigration, President Joe Biden said Thursday that his administration had no choice but to build 20 miles more.

"Money was appropriated for the border wall," Biden told reporters, referring to Trump administration congressional action. "I tried to get them to reappropriate -- to redirect the money. They wouldn't. And in the meantime, there's nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what is appropriated. I can't stop that."

Documents published in the federal register Thursday show the Biden administration waiving 26 federal laws to build a border wall in South Texas.

Border barrier construction is allowed in select Starr County, Texas, under Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Endangered Species Act waivers.

During his 2020 presidential campaign against Trump, Biden promised not to build "another foot of wall." But the Department of Homeland Security must use 2019 funds for border barrier construction, a Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said Thursday.

Border officials say barriers and infrastructure can focus patrols and help agents apprehend migrants faster. However, migrants have crossed dangerous and remote areas by evading barriers.

Migrants can declare asylum and turn themselves in despite barriers above the border. Non-citizens can fight deportation after crossing the international boundary in the middle of the river in the Rio Grande Valley.

Under waivers, 17 miles of wall building in Starr County, Texas, will be completed but not continuous.