More on the Southwest Border Fence

Types of Fence/Barriers

Physical Fence

Physical fencing is used in areas where the border is close to a "vanishing point" where an illegal immigrant can easily blend into a larger population and move into the interior of the country.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has created a toolbox of fencing solutions which include but are not limited to:

• vehicle bollards similar to those found around federal buildings
• "post on rail" steel set in concrete with a mesh option
• steel picket-style fence set in concrete
• concrete jersey walls with steel mesh
• a "Normandy" vehicle fence consisting of steel beams

These designs were the result of CBP's Fence Lab which evaluated nine low-cost fencing solutions that could be rapidly deployed along the Southwest Border.

Technology (Virtual Fence)

In remote areas along the border, tower-based integrated cameras and sensors, ground-based radar, mobile surveillance systems, and an unmanned aerial system along with traditional border patrols. These tools are part of CBP's technology solution, which includes the Secure Border Initiative's SBInet program.

Natural Geographic Barriers

Rivers, mountain ranges and other geographic objects can provide a natural barrier to illegal entry.

Border Fence Waivers

The Department of Homeland Security has issued two environmental and land-management waivers to expedite the installation of additional physical barriers and roads at the border to deter illegal activity.

• Various project areas in Calif., Ariz., N.M., and Texas encompassing roughly 470 total miles
• Levee-border project in Hidalgo County, Texas encompassing roughly 22 total miles

A substantial portion of the project areas addressed by these waivers has already undergone environmental reviews. In those areas where environmental reviews have not yet occurred, the department will conduct a review before any major construction begins.

Community Involvement

The Department is committed to meeting national security requirements while respecting the needs of the border communities.

Since May 2007, the Department has continued to hold extensive discussions with state and local stakeholders, including landowners, about the placement of the remaining miles of fencing. As part of these outreach efforts, more than 600 individual landowners have been contacted and over 100 meetings with local officials, public open houses and town halls have been held along the southwest border.

To meet the fencing deadline, the Department

• conducts engineering tests and surveys to determine if the land is suitable for fence building
• contacts landowners whose land the Department has not yet accessed for study to give the owners 30 days to allow for testing and surveys
• brings action in federal court for a temporary right of entry to land if owners deny access

Once we complete the steps in our decision-making process, the Department will proceed with construction. More information available.