http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory. ... on/4063919


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HoustonChronicle.com -- http://www.HoustonChronicle.com | Section: National news

July 21, 2006, 4:29PM



Minutemen to build border barrier
© 2006 The Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. — A group opposed to illegal immigration plans to build a 14-foot tall, military-style barrier that would stretch nearly a mile along the Mexican border.

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The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps' barrier near Naco was approved because the rancher's land is more than five acres and the fence will be used to contain cattle, said Judy Anderson, the Cochise County planning director.

Rancher Richard Hodges said the primary purpose of the barrier, which will have two parallel fences and razor wire, is to keep cattle from walking onto a Border Patrol access road that runs along his property.

But Hodges said the fence also could keep illegal immigrants from crossing his property. Two trails cross his ranch, which covers 300 acres, he said.

"This is going to be a substantial barrier," said Hodges, who said he supports the Minutemen but is not a member.

The Minuteman group, which has built at least one other fence in southern Arizona, is a civilian organization that patrols the border looking for illegal immigrants to turn over to authorities.


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HoustonChronicle.com -- http://www.HoustonChronicle.com | Section: National news
This article is: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/ ... 63919.html