Mexican artist Enrique Chiu stands beside his border wall murals in Tijuana, Mexico.Enrique Chiu
As the Trump administration seeks $18 billion over the next decade to more than double the length of the US-Mexico border fencing, one artist has another plan for the barriers.
Mexican artist Enrique Chiu is working to cover the existing border wall in colorful murals. His ultimate goal is to paint connected works there that span over 600 miles — which would become the world's longest mural.
Chiu sees the project, called the "Mural of Brotherhood," as "a way to unite the two nations that are divided."
Since then, his team has painted 1.3 miles of works on border fencing in Tijuana, Mexico. Chiu hopes to continue painting on the barriers to create the world's longest mural.
The Pueblo Levee Project along the Arkansas River levee in Pueblo, Colorado held the Guinness Record for the world's longest outdoor mural, which stretched 3 miles long. But in 2015, most of the paintings were destroyed when the levee needed repairs.
"There has always been a border united by the border cities. If the interest was to maintain peace in the world, [the Trump administration] would promote education and equality in the US, not violence and racism," Chiu said.
On December 29, President Trump tweeted that Democrats who wish to protect Dreamers (immigrants who came to the US illegally as children) must come up with a package that includes a wall and reforms to the US immigration system. Otherwise, he will not offer a deal on DACA.