Border Patrol chief 'looking forward' to possibilities of expanding 'tool kit' with wall ideas

by Daniel Chaitin | Jul 15, 2017, 8:57 PM


"We see enforcement works, that it has certainly had an impact." said Carla Provost, the acting chief of the Border Patrol. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)



Carla Provost, the acting chief of the Border Patrol, said on Saturday that she is "looking forward" to industry's ideas to "expand" her agency's ability to secure the border with the construction of a planned wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

In her very first on-camera interview as acting chief, Provost couldn't say what the final design for the wall will be and wouldn't speculate on details about height and whether a final product could prevent smugglers from digging tunnels up to six feet underground. But she did express some hope when it comes to improving Border Patrol's ability to do its job.

"I look forward to seeing what industry brings to the table to expand our tools and our tool kit when it comes to border security possibilities," she said on Fox News in a Saturday evening interview with Jesse Watters.

President Trump issued an executive order to build a border wall in January and last month it was reported last month that the Homeland Security Department would build four to eight prototypes for the border wall this summer in San Diego. The agency has received hundreds of bids, but as of late June hadn't yet chosen vendors.

Those protoypes are being funded by money put aside by DHS. Funding for the border wall is still in question. A Homeland Security funding bill proposed by House Republicans includes $1.6 billion to fund the beginning of a border wall, and is up for a vote next week.

Watters asked Provost what she thinks about Democrats who oppose the project and could possibly shut down the government due to a showdown. She said she wouldn't get into politics of funding, saying only that is her job to set the requirement of what her agency needs.

Turning to the main issue the Border Patrol faces, Provost said, "The great work our men and women do day in and day out to protect this country. They have a really tough job to do and they do it to the best of their ability with limited resources." She testified last month that assaults on Border Patrol are surging from last year.

Watters also asked Provost to react to comments made recently by Thomas Homan, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, about doing their job and enforcing the law "without apology."

Provost said Border Patrol works closely with ICE before adding, "We see enforcement works, that it has certainly had an impact."

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/bo...rticle/2628779