Rep. Issa Applauds Dept. of Homeland Security Decision to Clear San Diego Border Fence For Expedited Construction

Rep. Issa Applauds Dept. of Homeland Security Decision to Clear San Diego Border Fence For Expedited Construction

September 14, 2005 -
Washington, DC - Congressman Darrell Issa, today, applauded the announcement by Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff that he will exercise the authority granted to him earlier this year by Congress in the "REAL ID Act" to expedite construction of the 14-mile U.S./Mexico border fence near San Diego.

"I voted to give the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to waive environmental requirements because studies and litigation have held up completion of the border fence for far too long," said Rep. Issa who was an original cosponsor of the REAL ID Act. "Congress recognized that we face so many threats from terrorists and have such a problem with illegal immigration that it was time to cut the red tape. I am pleased to see that Secretary Chertoff has decided to exercise his authority to complete the fence."

"Completing the Border Infrastructure System will strengthen our efforts to reduce illegal entry to the United States. Congress provided us the authority to ensure this project is completed and I intend to use it. Through this system with advanced technology and additional personnel we can make substantial progress in this section of our border," said Secretary Chertoff.

Once constructed, the 14-mile border barrier will strengthen Department efforts to further reduce illegal entry to the United States and improve border security by:

* Including multiple physical layers of security
* Building access roads to enable Border Patrol to speed response efforts
* Installing stadium style lighting to deter border crossers
* Installing surveillance cameras to monitor incursion

In 1996, Congress mandated the construction of the Border Infrastructure System. However, nearly nine years after the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act mandating the project, litigation and environmental permitting have caused the project to remain incomplete.

The construction of the border fence near San Diego was planned for two phases. Phase I provides a continuous roadway system with security barriers and lighting within the middle 9 miles of the project area. Phase II extends the Phase I roadway system, barriers and lighting west through the Tijuana Valley Regional Park to the Pacific Ocean, and east to Otay Mountain.

The construction of Phase I resulted in reductions in illegal border crossing in the San Diego area. This first phase also reduced negative environmental impacts to the area caused by illegal immigration, such as trails of garbage, destruction of vegetation, and trampling of sensitive lands. The remaining tasks of this phase were delayed by environmental permitting issues. Phase II has also been delayed due to series of environmental studies and discussions with interested parties and by litigation.

"While the completion of the border fence should help reduce illegal immigration in the San Diego sector and should free up border patrol resources for other important tasks, much more needs to be done," said Issa. "The failure of the U.S. Attorney's office in San Diego to prosecute ‘coyotes' has created a de facto "catch and release" program for alien smuggling that a completed border fence will not fix. I will continue to fight for real and aggressive enforcement of our nation's immigration laws."

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