The construction of several new miles of border wall along the U.S.-Mexico boundary has continued while much of the country has gone on lockdown.
That has met with the approval of President Donald Trump, who sees it as a way of keeping the country safe.
In response to a tweet by conservative pundit Charlie Kirk who praised Trump for stopping flights from China to contain the coronavirus and continuing to build the wall March 10, the president tweeted: "Going up fast. We need the Wall more than ever!"
The Washington Times reported Saturday that 140 miles of border wall have been built so far this year, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency told Newsweek that 197 more miles are currently under construction.
The agency still expects to meet its goal of 450 miles completed by year's end, Newsweek reported.
Immigration, civil rights, and environmental groups have insisted the work stop, and the money be spent on COVID-19 response, but Trump argues keeping the border secure is an important part of keeping Americans safe from the coronavirus, again pointing to closing the country to China, most of Europe and other parts of the world.
But opponents say the work endangers the health of construction workers and nearby residents.
An online petition signed by more than 100 groups calls for an end to the project.
"The world is in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis," the petition reads. "It is unconscionable that the U.S. government is demanding to survey the homes of border residents with plans to send construction crews and agents. This puts thousands of families and individuals at a higher risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19."
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