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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Is extreme vetting Trump's invisible wall?

    President Trump promised to tighten US borders by restricting travel and building his big beautiful wall between America and Mexico. But legal challenges to his travel ban and Mexico's refusal to foot the construction bill are making it hard for him to deliver. Nevertheless, the administration is moving forward on both fronts.

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    KCRW placeholderBy Barbara Bogaev • Mar 31, 2017 • 1 min read

    President Trump promised to tighten US borders by restricting travel and building his big beautiful wall between America and Mexico. But legal challenges to his travel ban and Mexico's refusal to foot the construction bill are making it hard for him to deliver. Nevertheless, the administration is moving forward on both fronts. It's opened a $600 million bidding contest for construction on the border wall and, in the past two weeks the administration implemented a new policy of "extreme vetting" of visa applicants -- one of Trump's signature campaign promises, but without the fanfare. This vetting was revealed in a series of diplomatic cables sent by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to embassies and consulates, explaining the new policy.

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Border security and campaign promises
    1. 1:22President Trump takes aim at trade with two executive orders
    2. 7:58Is extreme vetting Trump's invisible wall?You’re reading this
    3. 41:24Making it easier for states to defund Planned Parenthood
    • KCRW placeholder

      Barbara Bogaev

      radio journalist

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christine Detz

      Producer, 'To the Point'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Border security and campaign promises
    1. 1:22President Trump takes aim at trade with two executive orders
    2. 7:58Is extreme vetting Trump's invisible wall?You’re reading this
    3. 41:24Making it easier for states to defund Planned Parenthood
    Back to To the Point