Media Updates
“Our immigration system is broken and must be fixed,” said Thune. “Unfortunately, each time Congress has tried to fix our immigration system, promises to secure our border are never upheld. The completion of the fence required by current law would be a tangible demonstration that Congress and this administration are serious about border security. I am disappointed the Senate missed this important opportunity to communicate to the American people that we are serious about securing our border and enforcing the laws that we pass.”
Less than 40 miles of the 700 miles of reinforced, double-layer fencing required by the Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 have been constructed to date, despite this requirement being reiterated by the Secure Fence Act of 2006. Along with increased border patrols, greater situational awareness of the border, and a workable biometric entry-exit system, a physical fence along a portion of the southern border is a critical component of securing the border.