President Signs Secure Fence Act
Posted Nov 03, 2006
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President George W. Bush signed a controversial piece of legislation, known as the Secure Fence Act, on October 26, 2006. This is an enforcement provision aimed at reducing illegal immigration. While media focus has been on the provisions related to building a fence along a portion of the U.S. / Mexico border, the border protection policy is not limited to building a fence.
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Physical Barrier and Use of Technology for Border Security
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The legislation authorizes the construction of a fence along 700 miles of the almost 2000 mile U.S. / Mexico border. While the fence has drawn the most attention from the public, this bill also includes authorization for other types of border security, including greatly increased funding. These funds are to be used for more Border Patrol agents, additional checkpoints and lighting, more vehicle barriers, as well as advanced technology. Some of these advancements include cameras, satellites, and unmanned aerial vehicles. This bill is the culmination of much of the immigration debate that has been so widely publicized.
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Controversy on Building the Fence
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The building of a fence has drawn attack from many interest groups. It is considered by some to be a dramatic, but expensive and wasteful, political move to appease restrictionists, which does not address the real problems with U.S. immigration. There are doubts that the fence will ever be completed, as the allocation of funds for its construction is well below the likely cost.
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There are those living on the border who also have objections to the fence. Concerns range from hindering the migration of animals to accessing the waters of the Rio Grande. The river supplies life and business sustaining water for livestock, agriculture, and other commercial interests. According to news reports, funding allocated for the fence is far less than the actual cost of purchasing the valuable river-access land rights on the Texas side of the Rio Grande, that would be needed to build the fence.
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White House Vision in Signing the Act
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While publicizing the signing of the Secure Fence Act, the White House revealed information regarding some of the President's plans for the future of U.S. immigration. Set out was the position that comprehensive immigration reform must start with securing the border. Further, indications from the White House are that additional workplace enforcement is planned, but also the desire to create a temporary worker program to address the needs of businesses and reduce the incentives for illegal migration.
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Conclusion : Future Strategy in Comprehensive Reform
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Many are of the opinion that truly securing the border requires immigration relief and additional benefits for necessary workers, as required for the growth and sustenance of the U.S. economy. We agree that it is best to begin addressing the concerns of comprehensive immigration reform by constructing a strategy first through understanding the root causes of illegal immigration. The logical approach would be to permit each year a sufficient number of legal workers to enter the U.S., skilled and unskilled, temporary and permanent, to address the needs of our overall strong economy.
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This is a complex problem that needs tackling at various levels. It cannot be masked either by those who vehemently oppose the movement of migrant workers across the borders or by those crying for porous, open borders with no plan for realistic numbers or policies. Reform should start with comprehensive and enforceable immigration policies that make sense for our economy and our country.