Lawmakers hit DHS on electronic border surveillance system

Deployment delayed again, GAO says

* By Alice Lipowicz
* Sep 17, 2009

After three years and at least $620 million spent, the Secure Border Initiative Network (SBInet) border surveillance system being installed at the United States-Mexico border by the Homeland Security Department isn't fully operational and deadlines have again been pushed back, officials testified today at a House hearing.

House members scolded officials of DHS' U.S. Customs and Border Protection for a pattern of delays to SBInet since work began in September 2006.

“I am particularly concerned by the SBInet program’s ongoing struggle with transparency and the pattern of delaying planned deployments,â€