Watch group questions latest border fence tally

By Jonathon Shacat
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 - 05:10:56 am MST

BISBEE — Officials with Customs and Border Protection in Washington, D.C., announced last week that fence construction along the southern border of the U.S. has surpassed the 500-mile mark, with about 280 miles built in Arizona.

The Secure Fence Act of 2006 authorized the construction of 670 miles of fencing in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. CBP’s Secure Border Initiative program was established by the Department of Homeland Security in early 2007 to carry out the Congressional mandate.

“As the result of a comprehensive operational analysis, the U.S. Border Patrol determined the need for tactical infrastructure — including fencing, patrol roads and lighting — at locations along the U.S.-Mexico border in order to impede illegal cross-border activity,â€