WASHINGTON — The Bush administration needs an extra $400 million to complete its fence along the southwestern border, and government investigators say that may not even be enough to finish construction by the end of this year.
To finish the 670-mile fence — which is half built — the administration has asked Congress to approve the use of $400 million set aside for surveillance technology projects along the U.S.-Mexico border, Jayson Ahern, the deputy commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Higher costs of fuel, steel and labor have led to the $400 million shortfall, Ahern said.
“If we run out of money, unfortunately, the construction will have to stop,” Ahern said.
Ahern is scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill today about the fence’s funding shortfalls.
At the same hearing, Congress’ investigative arm, the Government Accountability Office, will tell lawmakers that the administration risks not meeting its deadline to complete the fence by the end of the year because of staffing shortages and complications with acquiring the land necessary to build the fence.
The concept of a border fence took on new life after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which revived the immigration debate. Intelligence officials have said the gaps along the southwestern border could provide opportunities for terrorists to enter the country.
Critics have said the fence presents an inconsistent message about a country founded by immigrants.
The fence is not intended to stop illegal immigration, just make it more difficult for people to enter the country illegally, administration officials say.
