Boozman Calls for Border Fence by 2009

Press Release

Boozman Calls for Border Fence by 2009

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today affirmed his commitment to building a border fence across the southern border by signing on to key legislation which sets a date certain for completion.

H.R. 4987, the "Fence by Date Certain Act," would require the border fence be fully constructed by June 30, 2009. The bill was offered by Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), and has 26 other co-sponsors.

"This legislation puts teeth in our immigration policy," Boozman said. "Operational control of our borders is paramount, and the staring point of any serious discussion of dealing with illegal, and legal, immigration. Moreover, it gives the American people a date certain, a date when they will know our border is secure."

The legislation calls for "at least 2 layers of reinforced fencing, and the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors" along the following border locations:

* From 10 miles west of the Tecate, California, port of entry to 10 miles east of the Tecate, California, port of entry
* From 10 miles west of the Calexico, California, port of entry to 5 miles east of the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry
* From 5 miles west of the Columbus, New Mexico, port of entry to 10 miles east of El Paso, Texas
* From 5 miles northwest of the Del Rio, Texas, port of entry to 5 miles southeast of the Eagle Pass, Texas, port of entry
* From 15 miles northwest of the Laredo, Texas, port of entry to the Brownsville, Texas, port of entry

In September 2006, Rep. Boozman guided debate as Speaker Pro Tempore over the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which directed the Secretary of Homeland Security, within 18 months of enactment of this Act, to take appropriate actions to achieve operational control over U.S. international land and maritime borders.

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