Thread: FAIR Joint Hearing Report on Building a Border Fence

From: Federation for American Immigration Reform <info@fairus.org> \
Date: 2006/07/21 Fri PM 02:38:57 EDT
Subject: Joint Hearing Report on Building a Border Fence


United States House of Representatives Holds Joint Committee Hearing on Building a Border Fence
On July 20, 2006, the Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources and the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity held a joint hearing entitled, "Fencing the Border: Construction Options and Strategic Placement." The first panel was comprised of Congressmen Reyes (D-TX), Pearce (R-NM), and Hunter (R-CA). The second panel was solely made up of Mr. Kevin Stevens, senior associate chief of Customs and Border Protection. The final panel consisted of Congressman King (R-IA), Mr. Douglas Barnhart of Douglas E. Barnhart, Inc. and the Association of General Contractors, Mr. Art Mayne of Merchants Metals, Mr. Don Williams, a consultant to Power Contracting Inc., Mr. T.J. Bonner, president of National Border Patrol Council, and Mr. Carlton Mann of the Department of Homeland Security.

The hearing opened with the remarks of Chairman Souder (R-IN). The Chairman stated that there are many urban and semi-urban areas along the border which have little or no fencing and that any fencing constructed should be "tailored with respect to water rights, livestock and wildlife migration, and environmental concerns." The Ranking Minority Member, Rep. Cummings (D-MD), followed the chairman, saying that the "drug problem alone justifies our interest in securing our southern border" and that the possibility of further terrorism justifies this interest. He also stated that he believes a "comprehensive strategy" is necessary because "a bigger, better fence will accomplish little if we fail to address the market for undocumented workers."

At that point, the first panel began with Congressman Reyes, who emphasized that while fencing in high traffic areas could be helpful, low traffic areas would benefit more from personnel. He explained that "there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for border security." Congressman Pearce discussed the role narcotics play in the border problem. Congressman Hunter continued the discussion, saying that the smuggling industry can be eliminated by protecting the border and making it more difficult for them to cross. He emphasized his support for a fence and increased border patrol agents.

In the second panel, Mr. Stevens, senior associate chief of Customs and Border Protection, testified that "our immigration system is broken" and that there is no stretch of the border that can be considered completely impenetrable for terrorists or terrorist weapons. He agreed with Congressman Reyes that Congress should not adopt a one-size-fits-all policy. In response to Chairman Souder's push for more information, Mr. Stevens described different types of fencing which are easier to infiltrate than others. Mr. Stevens concluded that a fence can deter some, and delay those it cannot deter.

The final panel opened with a statement from Congressman King (R-IA). He expressed his view that the U.S. needs to stop people, drugs, terrorists and criminals from crossing over the U.S. border. After showing a model of a possible border fence to the committee, Congressman King stated that it is not possible to stop human trafficking "unless you put a wall or a fence there." Mr. Barnhart then explained that mobilization of workforce and materials to build a border fence may be difficult in remote areas, and estimated that the cost to build the fence was approximately $1.5 million per mile. The next witness, Mr. Williams, emphasized the importance of constructing the fence with minimal environmental impact. Mr. Bonner followed, stating that barriers and fences can play a legitimate role in border security if strategically placed. Finally, Mr. Mann closed the hearing by saying that protecting the border required the development of skilled personnel and information systems, as well as an effective entry-exit system and improving intelligence.

CORRECTION:
With respect to Wednesday's alert on the House Committee on Education and Workforce hearing, FAIR would like to note that in summarizing Chairman McKeon's opening statement, the alert should have read: "Chairman McKeon opened the hearing with a statement in which he said, 'Our goal is to send President Bush a strong border security and enforcement bill that will serve the interests of American students and workers. Nothing more, nothing less.'" FAIR is grateful for all of those who read our alerts and welcomes all comments and suggestions.

Stay tuned for more updates from FAIR as the Congressional hearings on immigration reform continue this summer.

Well there seems to be an abundance of the "right" words spoken, however every day that passes more people come across that border and vanish.

I THINK THE TIME HAS COME FOR LESS TALK AND MORE ACTION!

BUILD THE FENCE!