February 05, 2007

Bush '08 budget only covers half of border fence

I think we could have seen this coming from 700 miles away:

President Bush's new budget would pay for only about half of the 700 miles of U.S.-Mexico border fence he and Congress four months ago promised to build.

With Mr. Bush trying to prove to Republicans he is serious about immigration law enforcement, his budget makes good on his promise to fund 3,000 new U.S. Border Patrol agents, putting him near his goal of doubling the agency's size. He also included funding for 22 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) teams to identify and deport illegal aliens serving time for criminal convictions.

The White House budget asks for $1 billion in new money to build the fence. Even coupled with $1.5 billion appropriated in the past two years, this would not pay for the entire fence called for in a bill Congress passed and the president signed into law in October.

"If you mean double-strand or double-fence for 700 [miles], no," said Office of Management and Budget Director Rob Portman. The $2.5 billion could pay for either 700 miles of single-tier fence, or 370 miles of double-tier fence, along with cameras, sensors and other technology to build a "virtual fence" along the other parts.
The Department of Homeland Security has argued that only 370 miles of actual border fencing is needed, saying a "virtual fence" would suffice elsewhere. Congress, though, rejected that and insisted on 700 miles of double-tier fencing, even specifying its general locations in the bill...

Anyone promotes "comprehensive immigration reform" and says that it includes enforcement provisions is lying. Those who support "reform" have shown time and time again that they cannot be trusted.

Related:

Los Angeles Times backs Richardson's opposition to border fence

Amnesty proponents can't be trusted (Democrats waver on border fence)

New York Times wrong about immigration (Part #4952234, "The Fence Campaign")

Houston Chronicle does part against border fence

"Doubts linger on feasibility of barrier" (border fence)

Bush signs border fence bill; on to "comprehensive immigration reform"!

Posted to Immigration2007a at February 5, 2007 05:35 AM

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