There are no requested funds for extensions to the border fence between the U.S. and Mexico in President Obama’s budget proposal submitted last week. According to Peggy Sherry, a key financial officer with the Department of Homeland Security, the Obama administration does not intend to extend the barrier fence beyond its current completed or planned 670 miles.
In the budget request, the Obama administration asked for $779 million for FY 2010 for expenses related to border security, including technology installations, light infrastructure and the completion of a portion of the remaining 46 miles of barrier fencing.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as of today, contractors have completed just over 320 miles of the 370 miles of planned pedestrian fencing and 302 miles of the planned automobile fencing.
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