Senate Votes to Build a Stronger Fence
The Senate voted 54-44 today in favor of requiring physical fencing along 700 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Senator Jim DeMint's amendment to Homeland Security's 2010 Appropriation Bill states that ineffective fencing to restrain pedestrians such as vehicle barriers and virtual fencing cannot be used to meet the 700 miles of fencing required by law. Instead, reinforced double-layer fencing must be installed by December 31, 2010.
DeMint's office released the following statement:
“The American people were promised a secure border fence three years ago and it’s time to make it happen,” said Senator DeMint. “Our southern border has become a battleground for illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, and it’s vulnerable to terrorists. Unfortunately, our government has dragged its feet for years and tried to use untested and unsecure ‘virtual’ fencing instead of actual, physical fencing. Our first priority must be national security, and we can only achieve that goal with secure borders. I’m pleased with the strong bipartisan vote in favor of a finishing a real border fence next year. I will work to ensure no one cuts or weakens this important provision in conference.”
The press release goes on to explain that a previous bill set a deadline for 370 miles of the fence to be completed by December 31, 2008. Homeland Security has only constructed 34.3 miles of double-layer fencing, leaving more than 660 miles of required double-layer fencing remaining to be built.
We've been expecting some movement on the border fence. At the recent immigration reform meeting with members of Congress, President Obama made it clear that securing the borders will be an important first step in immigration reform:
"The American people still don't have enough confidence that Congress and any administration is going to get serious about border security, and so they're concerned that any immigration reform simply will be a short-term legalization of undocumented workers with no long-term solution with respect to future flows of illegal immigration."
Back in June, CBP Acting Commissioner Jayson Ahern testified on plans for border security before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ahern explained why a balanced combination of technology, personnel and tactical infrastructure (something Janet Napolitano refers to as "the three-legged stool") is required to gain effective operational control of the border. Regarding the fence, he stated:
"Fence alone does not and cannot provide effective control of the border. It does, however, deter and delay illicit cross-border incursions...Although some refer to technology as a “virtual fence,” technology does not have the persistent impedance capability of a real fence. It does, however, provide timely and accurate information that physical infrastructure could not."
Is Senator DeMint undermining Homeland Security's authority and expertise by telling the department where and what fencing should be used? Senator George Voinovich thought so. He said that the decision should be left up to the secretary of Homeland Security.
The amendment requires Janet Napolitano to submit a progress report to Congress by the end of September, as well as her plans for completing the fence by the deadline.
Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
Double-layer fencing works. Take a look in San Diego if there are any doubts. Double layer fencing also eliminates the ability for opponents, such as Nappy, to say the tired line of “show me a 30 ft fence and ill show you a 31 ft ladder.”
Simply put, there’s no time where a single layer fence is more ideal than a double layer fence.
A (CFR) Council of foreign relations document calls for creating a “North American preference” so that employers can recruit low-paid workers from anywhere in North America. No longer will illegal aliens have to be smuggled across the border; employers can openly recruit foreigners willing to work for a fraction of U.S. wages. So it’s no wonder CFR is pushing for the Obama administration to almost immediately enact Immigration Reform. To understand what the CFR is up to the reader to–GOOGLE IT– and you will uncover the the devious Bush agreement with Mexican President Vicente Fox, and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin on March 23, 2005. The three adopted the “Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America” and assigned “working groups” to fill in the details. It is an ominous agenda to remove any restrictions on moving foreign labor between the 3 nations. Obviously is the start to rescind any laws relating to immigration enforcement, including a path to citizenship for the 13 to 20 plus million illegal workers and families already here–better known as BLANKET AMNESTY. Then millions more will try to settle in our country?
We are continuously lied to about the numbers and costs for these unfortunates, that is a massive strain on Americans economy and the taxpayer who foots the bill. You can believe what our government states or you can surf the net, or search out The Heritage Foundation that has calculated the AMNESTY will cost $2.5 TRILLION dollars out of your pocket. My feelings are that the unceasing bombardment of public anger on our–PUBLIC SERVANTS–elected politicians, has caused them to re-think E-Verify. But obviously the Libertarian open border, free traders that is headed by US Chamber of Commerce has used their money and influence, so the comics in Washington dropped the NO-MATCH LETTER. In other words Every year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) informs thousands of employers via a “no-match” letter that certain employees’ names and corresponding Social Security numbers provided on Forms W-2 do not match SSA’s records. Which obviously uncovers illegal labor in the workplace.
For many decades we have been subjected to higher taxes to educate the children of foreigners, approve free health care, wick, food stamps, low income housing and many more handouts, that are undisclosed. Since the beginning of the Democratic reign of the leadership in Washington, have almost killed E-Verify, part of the Save Act, weakened the local police detainment (287(g) law, the Real ID Act. KEEP UP THE RIGOROUS BOMBARDMENT ON WASHINGTON SENATORS AND CONGRESSMAN 202-224-3121. Cannot emphasize the consequences for cheap labor, which will lead to irreversible–OVERPOPULATION. Find out the facts on the Internet, not what our government or newspapers dubiously feed us? Learn the truth also at NUMBERSUSA, CAPSWEB & AMERICANPATROL.
How ridiculous to think there can be no liency, no forgiveness, no mercy towards the millions of people here out of status. I want “blanket amnesty” as some meanies call it.
Pres. Lula of Brazil just 2 days ago signed a presidential decree giving all residents out of immigration status the rights to become citizens, removing any penalities for breaking Brazil’s immigration rules.
He said, upon signing the decree,
“They have well earned their rightful place as full participants in Brazil by their economic and cultural contributions to our nation. They have shared everything with Brazil: their labor, their muscle, their blood, thier hopes for a better Brazil. They deserve our gratitude and our thanks. This is a small token of welcome for all they have given.”
How stupid and self-defeating it would be to continue to show churlish meanness to our own out of status immigrants who have well earned a path to citizenship in our country.
I would hope our own congress and president showed the same decency and wisdom in our own USA as did Brazil show. We should facilitate the unleashing of this great pool of talent and human capital these hard working immigrants have clearly shown and not succumb to our Know Nothing anti-immigrant hysteria put forward by the right. Michael O
WOW! @ Brittancus’ comment. It’s really sad that you are advising us to get our facts straight and do research when in reality you sound like you need to take your own advise. You claim you need that the taxpayer foots the bill for programs like WIC, food stamps, etc. First of all who are the tax payers?!?!? Taxpayers include the undocumented workers that you claim are the beneficiaries of such programs. Second, are undocumented people the only ones benefiting from these programs? No!!!! Before you point the finger next time, really think about what you’re saying. As difficult as it is for these undocumented people to be a participant of society while still living in the shadows, they are hard workers and strive to make this country a better one. What people like you need to do is stop blaming them for ridiculous things and embrace their hardwork and contributions to this country!
http://www.dmiblog.com/archives/2007/04/undocumented_immigrants_pay_ta.html
Way to go,Michael and Alexandra! Brittancus sounds like they are one of the people full of themselves. The sites mentioned in his article proves ignorance on his part about illegals. Just wish people that run their mouth about facts could prove that what they present is fact, course we all know anyone can type up whatever on their sites, doesn’t make it true. My husband is a very hard worker and he pays his taxes. and he paid full price to get to be in this country the hard way. 99% illegals would gladly pay the price to be here legally.
I am beginnig to believe that it would be cheaper to just annex Mexico and Canada and be done with the whole immigrations issues at least in those two counties!
It would sure as hell beat what we are doing now!
You think a fence will stop immigrants it might stop the illegal drugs for a while untill they figure a way throuh this and human trafficing to,but as far as illegals crossing there will be away they are determined people to get here and the will by no means u can stop them. You will need to put the fence at least 15 ft to 20 ft under the ground. dont think you can just put a fence up and stop thm they are learning new ways to get across and i think america are selfish people here and i cant believe illegals want to came here!
Married i think they all would to. My husband has been doing his papers since 2005 and he is in mexico now waiting for a new interview appointment. He told me he would pay his whole life to be able to be here with me and his 5 boys. But now the americans say the illegals are going to bankrupt america well its because they deport the main source of income and the families left behind have to get well fare to support there family. My husband made $2000.00 a month and i made $800.00 a month and when he was denied to come back home i had to get food stamps i got evicted from my home and i had to go to churches to help me with school supplies for school. I feel no one understands what we are going thru. e-mail me at jeweltcortes@yahoo.com im interested in chatting with you.
Brittancus is one of the return-commenters who say inflammatory things about those named “illegals”; I’ve already had a shot at explaining why an amnesty allowing people who are currently not included within the citizen body would benefit the US financially, because they would then be tax-paying members of society, providing extra money to the government, insurance agencies and the like; and also culturally, as they are, as immigrants, from different countries and even if those countries are very Western, still culturally diverse in perspective, practice and what they can offer.
People such as Brittancus seem to think that because they are born – by luck – into a certain situation, they therefore -deserve- claim and power over those same situations, as if they have -earned- them, and get to decide who can share. The truth is, just because you were born somewhere doesn’t mean you deserve the rights it affords. You’re lucky. You benefit from fortune, not through your own hard-graft. Therefore it really doesn’t reflect well on you (if you agree with the likes of Brittancus) when you speak ill of people who are less fortunate than you and refuse to extend a hand in order to help them finally enjoy the life you haven’t worked one day in your life to get, but have had handed to you on a silver platter.