McCain: Securing U.S. Border 'Priority One'

Securing the U-S border is a matter of national security... and at least one US senator says it should be 'priority one.'

KTIV.com (Sioux City, IA), October 18, 2006

http://www.ktiv.com/News/index.php?ID=5886

During a breakfast fundraiser for Iowa congressman Steve King, in Sioux City, Arizona Senator John McCain told GOP supporters that 'sooner or later someone who wants to do bad things' will cross the border.. and walk right into the United States.

McCain said he supports a bill-- that King co-sponsored-- to build a 700-mile fence along the U-S-Mexico border. It's gotten the approval of Congress... and a one-point-two billion dollar down-payment. But, McCain says a fence isn't the only answer to America's immigration problems. 'If you just have fence, there are ways to get through fences,' said Sen. John McCain, (R) Arizona. 'It's harder when you're under surveillance and sensors-- when people are on alert and can go to a place where people are seeing people coming across. If for the enforcement, but I don't think that its necessary to have all 1,300 miles to be fenced.'

McCain advocates the use of underground sensors... and unmanned aerial vehicles to fly high over the border. He says they're less expensive... and still get the job done.

McCain admits it may take years to secure the border... even if we start right now. So, he says politicians should also address immigration policy... and what to do with the millions of illegals already living in the U-S. 'I don't know how you round up 11-million people and send them back,' McCain said. 'So, there has to be some kind of a process that we develop so that there are no more people living in the United States of America, illegally.'

President Bush hasn't publicly endorsed construction of the border fence. McCain said the president should at least follow the 'mandate' of Congress. To fail to do that, quote 'just isn't how the system works.'

Does McCain's challenge signal a possible presidential run? The republican says he's flattered by support for a White House run in 2008... but, McCain says he's focused on the 2006 elections. If he decides to run, word won't come until after November 7th.