“Border security is national security,” said Shuster, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “I find it troubling that two out of three Democrats in the House voted against this measure. Given the number of illegal crossings that occur along our southwest border, it’s alarming that Democrats are willing to leave our borders open to illegal immigration, drug smuggling and even terrorists sneaking across our porous borders. Building a fence and increasing surveillance are the logical ways to keep people from just walking into our country.”

The Secure Fence Act authorizes the construction of 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border and mandates operational control of the border by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS will also create a “virtual” border through the use of cameras, sensors and Unmanned Aerial Devices (UAVs). Initial funding for the project was provided in the DHS Appropriations Bill, which also funded 1,500 additional Border Patrol agents.