DHS Moves Forward on Border Fencing and Technology Improvements
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is moving forward today with multiple advancements in the construction of
pedestrian and virtual fencing along the southwest border. These advancements will add to more than 284 miles of fencing
already in place and enable construction of roughly 670 miles of fencing by the end of December 2008.
"The American public has been loud and clear in their call for secure borders," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff. "We will continue to use every tool, resource and authority we have to answer that call. Without the
participation of border residents and the technology to span remote areas, we place an unfair burden on our frontline
personnel and will have difficulty meeting the expectations of the American public."
In recent months, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has made preliminary determinations about where pedestrian
fencing should be built and, working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), contacted the landowners in the
area, often in person. While many landowners allowed entry to conduct engineering tests and surveys to determine if the
land is suitable for fence building, others did not respond or refused entry.
Today, CBP will mail letters to those landowners notifying them that an action will be brought in federal court for a
temporary right of entry to conduct tests and surveys. If CBP and USACE determine that the land is suitable for
fence-building, they will negotiate with the landowner on a purchase price.
If these negotiations are unsuccessful, the government will return to court to seek title and possession and the court
will determine the appropriate price. To date, the federal government has contacted roughly 600 landowners and held more
than 18 community town hall meetings to discuss this process with residents, local officials and other interested
parties.
Also today, CBP will take conditional possession of the prototype Project 28 (P28) system to conduct operational testing
following the recent completion of systems verification testing by Boeing. Located near Sasabe, Ariz., P28 is a
prototype development of nine towers equipped with radar and communications systems and automated ground sensors linked
to a command and control center and monitors in Border Patrol vehicles.
For the next 45 days, the Border Patrol will stress the system in an operational setting before fully accepting it from
the contractor. P28 testing will contribute to the future design and deployment of technologies at the border.
CBP is also awarding a $64 million task order to the Boeing Company to design, develop and test an upgraded Common
Operating Picture software system for Border Patrol command centers and agent vehicles. This will provide the department
with an enhanced capability in its effort to secure the border.
ENDS