U.S.-Mexico Barrier Construction Starts

First Phase Of Border Fence Begins In Arizona; Built To Keep Vehicles From Entering U.S.

(AP)  Initial construction began Wednesday on vehicle barriers that will be part of a mix of border fencing along the Barry M. Goldwater Range in southwestern Arizona.

The first-phase construction, on about nine miles at the western edge of a 37-mile stretch of desert, will consist primarily of vehicular bollards — rebar-reinforced, concrete-filled tubes of varying heights vertically set in the ground to prevent vehicles from entering.

Department of Homeland Security spokesman Russell Knocke said some areas along the initial phase will consist primarily of the bollards, but a small portion will involve a mix of those barriers and traditional fencing.

The construction is part of the Secure Border Initiative that the Bush administration announced last year, intended to provide a a mix of high-tech virtual fencing and a traditional physical barrier.

Power Contracting Inc. of Pittsburgh, a subcontractor of the Boeing Co., is doing the first-phase work, which could cost in the range of $20 million.

On Jan. 12, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff cleared the way for the work to start by waiving environmental regulations and laws impeding construction along the 2.8 million-acre bombing range, used by Air Force and Marine Corps aviators for training runs.

The full 37-mile fencing will include five miles to the west of the Goldwater range but will not include the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge to the east.

Authorities said there were more than 17,000 known attempts to enter the country illegally on the Goldwater Range and 9,600 apprehensions in 2005, with 15,200 entries and nearly 8,600 apprehensions there last year.

Environmentalists have criticized the fencing and barrier plans, saying that won't stop people in search of jobs to feed their hungry families but will be a step toward destroying a fragile portion of southern Arizona's desert.

The initial construction phase could take a few months, though no timetable was announced.

[bluestardad]

catt42701 ; very good point!

[bluestardad]

So are we going to build the fence along all the border? How about just jailing the business owners who hire illegals. It is not the illegals fault to get jobs that are offered to them.

[migrainegram]

1. Dig a moat from coast to coast.

2. Use the extracted dirt to build up the levees in New Orleans.

3. Fill the moat with water.

4. Relocate the nasty alligators from Florida to the moat.

[gwlafayette]

I agree that the wall will not stop illegals from coming in, but it is still necessary. It may cause some Mexicans to at least attempt to come here legally and will also serve as a reminder that they are the ones who want to be guests in our house. Also, if Mexico ever collapses into civil war, we will be extremely glad for it because they will all try to pour into America. The bottom line is, we absolutely need it and we need it now. Face reality. You lock your door at night to keep people out and good fences make good neighbors.

[long_rider]

Talk about a waste of money.

[catt42701]

The Great Wall of China failed to keep the Huns out and this will fail to keep illegal immegrants out at 540540.54 a mile. Our tax dollars at work. What a waste.

[olebd]

It was disappointing that Bush is still gung-ho on a "guest worker program" which will basically excuse them from breaking the law and provide amnesty. The only bright spot of that nonsense is they will have to pay income tax IF they even come forward.

Mexico needs to give us one or two of their resort areas as payment for our kindness. Then, we can Americanize it and all the illegals can go live there.

[bellal-2009]

No jobs, housing, driver's licenses, car or property ownership, college, healthcare, welfare or any federal and state aid should be available to illegal immigrants-a zero tolerance all across this country. Posted by frankinaz at 03:46 PM : Jan 25, 2007

I second that with the exception of care and medical attention for children until they get back to their home country. Believe it or not Mexico does have schools, hospitals and
services.

[frankinaz]

Constructing this fence won't stop the illegal immigration problem; all levels of government need to stop rewarding illegal immigrants once they arrive in this country: Make it a deportable crime to be in this country illegally, as well as any crime an illegal commits. No jobs, housing, driver's licenses, car or property ownership, college, healthcare, welfare or any federal and state aid should be available to illegal immigrants-a zero tolerance all across this country. Deny children whose parents are in this country any citizenship chance, as well as the parents. Fine and shut-down any business that employs illegal immigrants also. This country has been far too lenient on illegal immigrants and their employers, and its time to get tough on both.

[olebd]

I am 100% for stopping illegal immigrants but the fact is, this fence is designed to stop vehicular traffic. It does nothing to stop pedestrian traffic according to the news reports I've seen. Therefore, this is a stupid idea.

[ozziepooh90]

First people complain that nothing is being done to stop illeagal immigrants to cross the boarder and now they are doing someting and yet you still complain.

[jmann27273]

How stupid can our administors be to think that wasting all our tax dollars on this project will stop anyone who wants to be in the US. We have GOT to start electing people with a brain. Please Americans, we are the only ones who can stop such madness by choosing intelligent officials.