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The text of the bill below is as of Sep 13, 2006 (Introduced).
This is not the latest text of this bill. Read the latest text.On October 26, 2006, U.S. President George W. Bush signed the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (Pub.L. 109–367) into law stating, "This bill will help protect the American people. This bill will make our borders more secure. It is an important step toward immigration reform."
The bill was introduced on September 13, 2006 by Congressman Peter T. King, Republican of New York. In the House of Representatives, the Fence Act passed 283–138 on September 14, 2006. On September 29, 2006 – the Fence Act passed in the Senate 80–19.
This summary is from Wikipedia.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 13, 2006
Mr. King of New York (for himself, Mr. Dreier , Mr. Hunter , Mr. Boehner , Mr. Blunt , Mr. Smith of Texas , Ms. Harris , Mr. Putnam , Mr. McCaul of Texas , Mr. Marchant , Mr. Rohrabacher , Mr. Rogers of Alabama , Mr. Tancredo , Mr. Kline , Ms. Pryce of Ohio , Mr. Porter , Mr. Taylor of North Carolina , Mr. Chocola , Mr. Bilbray , Mr. English of Pennsylvania , Mr. Linder , Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida , Mr. Boswell , Mr. Royce , Mr. Herger , Mr. Gary G. Miller of California , and Mr. Souder ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
To establish operational control over the international land and maritime borders of the United States.
This Act may be cited as the Secure Fence Act of 2006 .
Achieving operational control on the border
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all actions the Secretary determines necessary and appropriate to achieve and maintain operational control over the entire international land and maritime borders of the United States, to include the following—
systematic surveillance of the international land and maritime borders of the United States through more effective use of personnel and technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, ground-based sensors, satellites, radar coverage, and cameras; and
physical infrastructure enhancements to prevent unlawful entry by aliens into the United States and facilitate access to the international land and maritime borders by United States Customs and Border Protection, such as additional checkpoints, all weather access roads, and vehicle barriers.
Operational control defined
In this section, the term means the prevention of all unlawful entries into the United States, including entries by terrorists, other unlawful aliens, instruments of terrorism, narcotics, and other contraband.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the progress made toward achieving and maintaining operational control over the entire international land and maritime borders of the United States in accordance with this section.
Construction of fencing and security improvements in border area from Pacific Ocean to Gulf of Mexico
Section 102(b) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–208; 8 U.S.C. 1103 note) is amended—
in the subsection heading by striking Near San Diego, California ; and
by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide for least 2 layers of reinforced fencing, the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors—
extending from 10 miles west of the Tecate, California, port of entry to 10 miles east of the Tecate, California, port of entry;
extending from 10 miles west of the Calexico, California, port of entry to 5 miles east of the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry;
extending from 5 miles west of the Columbus, New Mexico, port of entry to 10 miles east of El Paso, Texas;
extending from 5 miles northwest of the Del Rio, Texas, port of entry to 5 miles southeast of the Eagle Pass, Texas, port of entry; and
extending 15 miles northwest of the Laredo, Texas, port of entry to the Brownsville, Texas, port of entry.
With respect to the border described—
in subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary shall ensure that an interlocking surveillance camera system is installed along such area by May 30, 2007, and that fence construction is completed by May 30, 2008; and
in subparagraph (A)(v), the Secretary shall ensure that fence construction from 15 miles northwest of the Laredo, Texas, port of entry to 15 southeast of the Laredo, Texas, port of entry is completed by December 31, 2008.
If the topography of a specific area has an elevation grade that exceeds 10 percent, the Secretary may use other means to secure such area, including the use of surveillance and barrier tools.
Northern border study
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct a study on the construction of a state-of-the-art barrier system along the northern international land and maritime border of the United States and shall include in the study—
the necessity of constructing such a system; and
the feasibility of constructing such a system.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that contains the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).
Evaluation and report relating to Customs authority to stop certain fleeing vehicles
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall—
evaluate the authority of personnel of United States Customs and Border Protection to stop vehicles that enter the United States illegally and refuse to stop when ordered to do so by such personnel, compare such Customs authority with the authority of the Coast Guard to stop vessels under section 637 of title 14, United States Code, and make an assessment as to whether such Customs authority should be expanded;
review the equipment and technology available to United States Customs and Border Protection personnel to stop vehicles described in paragraph (1) and make an assessment as to whether or not better equipment or technology is available or should be developed; and
evaluate the training provided to United States Customs and Border Protection personnel to stop vehicles described in paragraph (1).
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that contains the results of the evaluation conducted under subsection (a).
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