Taking the first step towards building a wall along the US-Mexico border, President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed directives to begin the construction. According to a White House statement, Trump signed orders to “build a large physical barrier on the southern border” at the Department of Homeland Security. The president also signed directives to “create more detention space for illegal immigrants along the southern border,” the statement read.

"Beginning today, the United States of America gets back control of its borders," Trump told the Department of Homeland Security as he signed the orders. Trump said that the US Congress does not need to pass a new legislation to implement the border reforms that he is introducing, adding that he will “work within the existing system and framework. We do not need new laws,” CNN quoted him as saying.

In an interview with ABC News on Wednesday, Trump said that the construction of the wall will start in the next few months, adding that the planning for the same is “starting immediately. We're going to once again prioritise the prosecution and deportation of illegal immigrants who have also otherwise violated our laws," he added.

Regarding the payment for the wall, he said Mexico will bear the burden. "I'm telling you there will be a payment. It will be in, perhaps, a complicated form," Trump said. He said that the wall will “help Mexico”. Mexico, for its part, reiterated today that it will not pay for the wall under any circumstances. In a video statement posted on Twitter, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said, “Mexico does not believe in walls. I've said time again; Mexico will not pay for any wall”.