Zippyjuan
02-03-2017, 07:24 PM
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/02/02/dhs-secretary-border-wall-should-be-finished-in-two-years.html
Not likely to be a real, continuous wall in this case. Also not even going to begin construction "for several months" so that would require it to be just a year to year and a half to meet his timetable. They will also have to seize private property in some areas. The California barrier (which is some fencing and some wall) took over three years to cover about 600 miles. The remaining portion of the border is more than twice that long (entire length 1900 miles). It includes mountains, rivers, and lakes with many areas not even accessable by construction equipment meaning the construction of new roads would also be required.
MCALLEN, Texas – EXCLUSIVE: In his first television interview as Homeland Security secretary, retired four-star Marine Gen. John F. Kelly told Fox News he wants the U.S.-Mexico border wall finished in two years – setting an ambitious schedule for the project ordered last week by President Trump.
"The wall will be built where it's needed first, and then it will be filled in. That's the way I look at it," Kelly said. "I really hope to have it done within the next two years."
Fox News traveled with Kelly in McAllen, Texas, on Wednesday where he saw first-hand the challenges for Border Patrol agents. The Rio Grande Valley, known as the "RGV sector," is among the busiest. On any given day, Border Patrol agents pick up at least 600 people who have crossed the Mexican border, entering the U.S. illegally.
Those personnel, he explained, are all part of the broader plan for securing the border.
"Any discussion about the protection of our southwest border involves discussion of physical barriers but also of technological sensors, things like that,” he said. “But it's a layered approach, and it’s got to be backed up by great men and women who are going to make sure that the wall is intact."
But first, the department faces the tough task of funding – and then building – what would be the largest-ever construction project undertaken by the president who made his name in real estate.
Kelly, who was tasked by the president’s executive order with overseeing the planning and construction of the wall, echoed Trump in saying they already “have the authority” under existing law.
“We're looking at the money aspect,” he acknowledged. But he said the White House is working with Congress on the timetable.
“I think the funding will come relatively quickly and like I said, we will build it where it's needed first as identified by the men and women who work the border," Kelly emphasized.
Kelly said it will be only a matter of months before construction begins.
Kelly also said he supported a "surge" of resources to the border so that processing those who cross illegally can happen in a matter of weeks, not "600 plus days."
Not likely to be a real, continuous wall in this case. Also not even going to begin construction "for several months" so that would require it to be just a year to year and a half to meet his timetable. They will also have to seize private property in some areas. The California barrier (which is some fencing and some wall) took over three years to cover about 600 miles. The remaining portion of the border is more than twice that long (entire length 1900 miles). It includes mountains, rivers, and lakes with many areas not even accessable by construction equipment meaning the construction of new roads would also be required.
MCALLEN, Texas – EXCLUSIVE: In his first television interview as Homeland Security secretary, retired four-star Marine Gen. John F. Kelly told Fox News he wants the U.S.-Mexico border wall finished in two years – setting an ambitious schedule for the project ordered last week by President Trump.
"The wall will be built where it's needed first, and then it will be filled in. That's the way I look at it," Kelly said. "I really hope to have it done within the next two years."
Fox News traveled with Kelly in McAllen, Texas, on Wednesday where he saw first-hand the challenges for Border Patrol agents. The Rio Grande Valley, known as the "RGV sector," is among the busiest. On any given day, Border Patrol agents pick up at least 600 people who have crossed the Mexican border, entering the U.S. illegally.
Those personnel, he explained, are all part of the broader plan for securing the border.
"Any discussion about the protection of our southwest border involves discussion of physical barriers but also of technological sensors, things like that,” he said. “But it's a layered approach, and it’s got to be backed up by great men and women who are going to make sure that the wall is intact."
But first, the department faces the tough task of funding – and then building – what would be the largest-ever construction project undertaken by the president who made his name in real estate.
Kelly, who was tasked by the president’s executive order with overseeing the planning and construction of the wall, echoed Trump in saying they already “have the authority” under existing law.
“We're looking at the money aspect,” he acknowledged. But he said the White House is working with Congress on the timetable.
“I think the funding will come relatively quickly and like I said, we will build it where it's needed first as identified by the men and women who work the border," Kelly emphasized.
Kelly said it will be only a matter of months before construction begins.
Kelly also said he supported a "surge" of resources to the border so that processing those who cross illegally can happen in a matter of weeks, not "600 plus days."