The Border Fence

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Video: The Border Fence

In 2006, Congress authorized the Secure Fence Act - a multi-billion dollar plan to build hundreds of miles of fencing along the southern border of the United States to stem the flow of undocumented immigrants and provide security from potential terrorism. But what was built to fight illegal immigration has turned into a nightmare for many Americans living along the U.S.-Mexico border. The fence, which will cover less than half of the actual border, inexplicably cuts through the middle of some properties, while leaving others untouched. Many question if it can keep people from sneaking in at all.

Video: 'The Wall'
Arizona residents share what's wrong with the fence built in their yard.
(From The Border Wall, a film by Wayne Ewing)

This week, NOW senior correspondent Maria Hinojosa travels to Texas to meet border families who fear losing their property, their safety, and their way of life. We also follow an investigative reporter who questions whether certain landowners are getting preferential treatment.

Is America's border fence working, or an utter waste?

Related Links:

Texas Border Coalition: Hurricanes and Border Fences Don't Mix

U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Secretary Chertoff Cites Border Security Progress During House Testimony

U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Border Security

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Border Fence Environmental Planning

The Border Fence in the News:

The Associated Press: Feds acknowledge fence will hamper border life

The Los Angeles Times: Border fence challenge rebuffed by Supreme Court

The Monitor: It Begins: Granjeno prepares reluctantly for the start of border wall construction

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The New York Times: Power to Build Border Fence Is Above U.S. Law

The New York Times: Homeland Security Stands by Its Fence

The Texas Observer: Holes in the Wall

The Texas Observer: Against the Wall

The Candidates on Immigration:

AZ Central: McCain: Border fence first, then reform

McClatchy: On immigration, McCain and Obama very much alike