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Posted by: CJIS

Bush Authorizes Fence for U.S.-Mexico Border


George Bush speaks in Scottsdale, Arizona where he signed Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, Oct. 4, 2006

U.S. President George Bush has signed legislation that provides roughly $1.2 billion for fencing and other enhanced security measures along the border with Mexico.

Illegal immigration is a highly emotional issue in Arizona. And so it came as no surprise the president signed the legislation there, surrounded by local officials.

"The bill I sign helps address one of the central issues facing all states, but particularly the state of Arizona, and that is illegal immigration," Mr.

Bush said. "I understand full well that illegal immigration puts pressure on the public schools and hospitals. It strains state and local budgets. In some communities, it increases crime."

The White House had hoped for a wide-raging immigration reform bill. Instead, the U.S. Congress approved money to erect fencing in some of the most porous border areas and added it to legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security.

The measure also provides more money to hire extra border agents, develop technology, and build additional detention facilities for those caught entering the country illegally.

"It is what the people of this country want. They want to know that we are modernizing the border so we can secure the border," the president added.

But even as he signed the measure into law, the president made clear he wants Congress to revisit the matter. He said the nation needs comprehensive immigration reform legislation that includes a temporary-guest worker program.

"The funds that Congress has appropriated are critical for our efforts to secure this border and enforce our laws," he said. "Yet we must also recognize that enforcement alone is not going to work."

But there are deep divides in Congress on just how to handle the immigration issue. Many members of the president's own party in the House of Representatives oppose a guest-worker program. In the Senate, there is more support for comprehensive reform. But in recent debate, Democrat Ted Kennedy said Republican lawmakers do not have the will to take on anti-immigrant forces.

"The fence bill is a clear indication of the abdication of the Congress of the United States to deal responsibly with the whole challenge of immigration," said Mr. Kennedy.
Senator Kennedy said pushing money for the fence is only a campaign ploy and not a real solution to the problem.

VOA News

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Posted by: KozmoKramer

Quote:

Bush Authorizes Fence for U.S.-Mexico Border...

When and if Congress votes to fund it, then I will be impressed.
Otherwise it's just a temporary "feel good" measure to keep us appeased.

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Posted by: NewEngland2007

I was hoping for a big a$$ wall, but we shall see.

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Posted by: MM1799

Looks like we are going to have another round of immigrants marching through the streets. Hopefully this time someone will have a net..

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Posted by: justanotherparatrooper

I agree with Koz....I'll believe it when I see it built

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Posted by: CJIS

Quote:

Originally Posted by KozmoKramer When and if Congress votes to fund it, then I will be impressed. Otherwise it's just a temporary "feel good" measure to keep us appeased.

Congress already Did Koz $1.2 Billion was the figure. Belive it or not it was Congress not Bush that made the proposed bill and Bush just signed it.

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Posted by: irish937

1.2 BILLION??? It's a fence that ANYONE can break through. It seems our money could be wasted in better ways.

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Posted by: jasonbr

The fence should be electrified!

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Posted by: CJIS

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonbr The fence should be electrified!

You never know. I was watching a clip on the newly constructed portion of the fence in CA (before bill was past) in the clip they showed a red WARNING sign with some sort of warning but it was out of fucus so I could not read it.

I doubt they would put a WARNING sign up rather than a DANGER one but hey what ever floats your boat.

Either way, electic or non I think having the fence itself is a step in the right direction.

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Posted by: CJIS

Quote:

Originally Posted by irish937 1.2 BILLION??? It's a fence that ANYONE can break through. It seems our money could be wasted in better ways.

Its actully a bit better constructed than you think. You won't be able to use bolt cutters on this thing and a hack saw will take you a while as well. By the time you finnish with the hack saw you will be more than likely noticed and have BP on your ass. Also there are now and may be more fences constructed with Concrete. There will also be areas of triple fence.




Here is a "newer" section of fence ( steel construction )


Concrete fence. (better be real skinny)

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Posted by: silva

Wow, this must be part of the great strategy to make the illegals walk farther to get into the US. Oh crap, a wall, guess we'll have to walk around it....

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Posted by: justanotherparatrooper

Quote:

Originally Posted by silva Wow, this must be part of the great strategy to make the illegals walk farther to get into the US. Oh crap, a wall, guess we'll have to walk around it....

MMM, nope! As I understand it the fence actuall goes out into the gulf of Mexico and the same as well on the other end. Ground sensors, motion sensors, cameras, night vision,etc... AS long as its backed by a reaction force to actually apprehend and RETURN them back over the border..its a good idea.Atart rounding up the ones that are already here, who knows...maybe we wont be the minority in 20 years.

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