Getty A steel wall separates Sonora in Mexico from Nogales in Arizona

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The new US President has repeated told cheering rallies that he will build the wall and make Mexico pay for it. Mr Trump claims the wall is necessary because Mexico is sending illegal immigrants, ‘drugs and rapists’ across the border. The President is expected to sign an executive order that will begin the process of building the wall today (January 25). Last night he tweeted: "Big day planned on national security tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!" But can the Republican billionaire follow through on this audacious campaign pledge?

The Mexican border wall was one of Mr Trump’s most eye-catching and outlandish policies. It is “unlikely but not impossible” that he will be able to build the wall, according to Dr Gina Yannitell Reinhardt, from the Department of Government at Exeter University. Speaking after his election in November, Dr Reinhardt said: “He needs a lot of money to do that. Congress does not support building the wall. "It would be a very complicated endeavour.” Earlier in January, Mr Trump said that the US would initially pay for the wall and that Mexico would later reimburse the costs. Mexico has already refused to pay for the wall and the plan is likely to be Congress could block the plan in the Senate and House of Representatives.

US Elections 2016 in pictures Tue, November 8, 2016 The top photos following the campaign journey of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the US Elections 2016 Play slideshow Getty 1 of 57 US Elections 2016 in pictures

There is no guarantee that Mr Trump will win his battle with Congress over getting approval and funding for the construction project. Mexican President Peña Nieto met with Mr Trump in September and reported: “I made it clear that Mexico will not pay for the wall.” Dr Reinhardt said she was not sure why the Republican thought it would be possible to make the Mexican Government pay. “I don’t know why Mexico would want to consent to it or if it would have the money to to do it,” she added. The US-Mexican border is nearly 2,000 miles long‚ running from all the way from in the California in the east to Texas in the west.

Express

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