Dozens of congressional Democrats are calling on the Trump administration to halt all construction on President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE's signature border wall amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter spearheaded by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Sen. Martin Heinrich Martin Trevor HeinrichSenate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Senate Democrats seek removal of controversial public lands head after nomination withdrawal Five takeaways from final Senate Intel Russia report MORE (D-N.M.), the lawmakers warn that "continuing border wall construction places local communities at unnecessary risk" and urge Trump officials to "immediately" stop all border wall construction.

More than two dozen Democratic senators and 66 representatives signed the letter, which was sent Wednesday to Attorney General William Barr Bill BarrMichigan resident puts toilet on front lawn with sign 'Place mail in ballots here' Barr says Ginsburg 'leaves a towering legacy' Republicans call for DOJ to prosecute Netflix executives for releasing 'Cuties' MORE, Defense Secretary Mark Esper Mark EsperTop admiral: 'No condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' Overnight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Oldest living US World War II veteran turns 111 MORE and Homeland Security acting Secretary Chad WolfChad WolfSenate to hold nomination hearing for Wolf next week Hillicon Valley: FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden | Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers Democrats slam DHS chief for defying subpoena for testimony on worldwide threats MORE.

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The letter was signed by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerVideo of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Graham signals support for confirming a Supreme Court nominee this year Pelosi orders Capitol flags at half-staff to honor Ginsburg MORE (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Dick Durbin Richard (Dick) Joseph DurbinMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Top GOP senator calls for Biden to release list of possible Supreme Court picks MORE (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, as well as Reps. Ben Ray Luján (N.M.) and Hakeem Jeffries Hakeem Sekou JeffriesPelosi: House will stay in session until agreement is reached on coronavirus relief Races heat up for House leadership posts Postmaster general earned millions from company with ties to Postal Service: report MORE (N.Y.), members of House Democratic leadership, among others.

“It is dangerous and unacceptable for border wall construction to continue during this public health crisis,” Cuellar said in a statement. “As medical experts and the Center for Disease Control [and Prevention] implore Americans to stay at home, construction crews continue to work in close quarters, jeopardizing the health of our border communities. This is a public health threat and it must be stopped.”

States across the country, including those along the southern border such as California and Arizona, have shut down schools, restaurants and other nonessential businesses in an attempt to curb the spread of the outbreak. This has caused many construction sites to be shut down, though some construction at the border, such as in Arizona, has continued after being labeled essential.

Trump has maintained that the continuation of border wall construction is important, saying that the wall is keeping undocumented immigrants who have potentially contracted the virus from entering the country. But Democrats counter that continuing with construction raises other health concerns.

"Continuation of construction only exacerbates the public health risks for those living at the southern border, detracting from our national efforts against fighting this virus," the letter from Democrats states.

"At this juncture, the priority of the United States must be to stop the spread of COVID-19. The continuation of wall construction compromises those efforts," it adds.