President Bush Signs "Secure Fence Act"
President Bush has signed a federal bill that would authorize the construction of 700 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. Described as "an act to establish operational control over the international land and maritime borders of the United States", the Secure Fence Act of 2006 orders the Homeland Security Secretary to "take all actions necessary to achieve and maintain operational control over the entire international land and maritime borders of the United States", within 18 months of enactment.