WASHINGTON, DC - The long-talked about Mexican border wall looks to be officially in the works, as today President Donald Trump signed two executive orders directing the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

As reported by The Wall Street Journal, the first order directs federal officials to begin work to plan, design, and construct a physical border wall immediately. The second order aims to restore a program formerly ended by the Obama administration called, “Secure Communities,” which directs cooperation between local and federal authorities enforcing immigration laws. 

According to CNN, the orders will also seek to increase Border Patrol forces by an additional 5,000 agents and increase the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers that carry out deportations to 10,000. The orders also call for the removal of federal grant funding in cities that maintain sanctuary status for immigrants and/or refugees.

Both orders stipulate that the increases are subject to Congress' appropriation of sufficient funds. As of now, the orders will not cover the cost it will take to construct the wall. 

"Beginning today, the United States of America gets back control of its borders," Trump reportedly told employees of the Department of Homeland Security during a speech in Washington. "This will also help Mexico by deterring illegal immigration from Central America and by disrupting violent cartel networks."  

Wednesday also saw President Trump outline new criteria for determining which undocumented immigrants should be prioritized for deportation, CNN reported. The news source reports that under the Trump administration's new policy, any undocumented immigrant convicted or charged with a crime that hasn't been adjudicated could be deported under the Trump administration's new policy.

The administration has also prioritized deporting undocumented immigrants who abuse public benefits or could be considered "a risk to public safety or national security... in the judgment of an immigration officer.” 

While the effects these orders may have to the agricultural sector have yet to be made clear, these policies are definitely on the produce industry’s radar. Keep watching AndNowUKnow for continued updates.