Washington - On Thursday, President Joe Biden expressed his skepticism about the effectiveness of border walls, even as his administration announced plans to waive 26 laws to construct additional barriers in the Rio Grande Valley. This move comes amid mounting political pressure over migration issues.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, the funding for wall construction will be drawn from previously allocated funds specifically earmarked for physical border barriers. The administration faced a deadline to utilize these funds, or they would be forfeited. However, this decision coincides with a new surge of migrants straining federal and local resources and placing considerable political pressure on the Biden administration to address the escalating crisis, citing "high illegal entry" in the notice.

President Biden, who pledged during his candidacy that no more border wall would be built during his tenure, defended the decision to reporters on Thursday. He explained that he had attempted to redirect the allocated funds for other purposes but was unsuccessful.

Biden stated, "I'll answer one question on the border wall: The border wall – the money was appropriated for the border wall. I tried to get them to reappropriate it, to redirect that money. They didn't, they wouldn't. And in the meantime, there's nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated. I can't stop that."

When asked whether he believes the border wall is effective, Biden responded, "No."

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asserted at a news conference in Mexico City on Thursday that there has been no change in the administration's policy regarding the border wall. He emphasized that the administration had repeatedly asked Congress to rescind the allocated funds but had not received approval, and they are therefore obliged to adhere to the existing law.

Border Patrol data revealed nearly 300,000 encounters in the Rio Grande Valley sector from October to August. In the previous month, Border Patrol apprehended over 200,000 migrants crossing the US-Mexico border, marking the highest total for the year.

President Biden has faced challenges at the border since his early days in office, with a surge of unaccompanied migrant children catching officials unprepared. Over the past two years, his administration has encountered staunch opposition from Republicans, and at times, Democrats, concerning his immigration policies.

The recent influx of migrants has added further strain to federal resources and tested Biden's latest border policies, prompting renewed criticism from Republicans and concern within the administration on this politically sensitive issue. Migration along the southern border has remained a focal point in the Republican presidential primary race and conservative media, while leading Democrats, including the mayors of New York and Chicago, are publicly calling for increased federal support to address the arrival of migrants.