House Approved Legislation Will Provide 700 Miles of Fencing Along U.S.-Mexico Border

 

 

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-Lafayette) today voted to support the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (H.R. 6061), which provides for over 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing along the southwest border with prioritized placement at critical, highly populated areas.  Following passage of the legislation, Rep. Boustany reiterated his support for an enforcement-first approach to the immigration crisis facing the United States. 

 

“Our porous borders continue to threaten the security of the American people,” said Boustany.  “It is clear that the American people want Congress to focus on border security first, and this bill is an important step in solving the crisis that continues to plague our immigration system.”

 

The Secure Fence Act would strengthen operational control of all borders and ports through additional physical barriers and fencing and greater use of state-of-the-art technology and surveillance along the southwest border, including:

 

• Authorizing more than 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing along the southwest border with prioritized placement at critical, highly populated areas and requiring an evaluation of infrastructure needs along the northern border;
• Mandating that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) achieve and maintain operational control over the entire border through a “virtual fence” that deploys cameras, ground sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and integrated surveillance technology;
• Requiring DHS to provide all necessary authority to border personnel to disable fleeing vehicles, similar to the authority held by the United States Coast Guard for maritime vessels; and
• Requiring DHS to assess vulnerabilities on the northern border.

 

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