Prospects of huge border fence doubtful

By Arthur H. Rotstein

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

During last fall's pre-election political dance over illegal immigration, President Bush signed legislation approved by the Republican-dominated Congress to build 700 miles of security fencing along the Mexican border.

But there's uncertainty over its future with Democrats now in control of Congress. Several members of Arizona's new congressional delegation and a just-retired veteran doubt that the fencing will be built, at least not as envisioned — as a traditional physical barrier.

"It would be my belief or opinion that the 700 miles of fence authorized by the last Congress will not be built, period," said Rep. John Shadegg, a Phoenix Republican.

The fence bill provided no new funding, and $1.2 billion that Congress previously appropriated was expected to pay for only 370 miles of fencing at most. Of the Arizona delegation members who responded to queries from The Associated Press, only Republican Sen. Jon Kyl believes that stretch of fencing will be put up along portions of the border in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico or California.

"Unless the Democratic majority should just totally cut back on that — and I don't believe they will — the first chunk is pretty well set," Kyl said.