The Department of Homeland Security claims that the fence, in combination with doubling the size of border patrol and upgrading to the newest technologies, will help prevent undocumented immigrants, terrorist threats, and illegal substances from crossing the border.

“The bottom line that people need to recognize is that the operational need for the fence is driving our priorities here,” DHS spokesperson laura Keehner told the Globalist. “Community activists and landowners need to understand that this is something that is operationally necessary for national security.”

According to DHS, the fence will force illegal traffic to pass through the miles of border left unfenced, which will improve the monitoring capabilities of Border Patrol.

Project construction stages vary across the border, but Keehner explained that fencing progress in California, Arizona, and New Mexico is much further along than in Texas.

Leaders of many Texas border towns have fought fervently against the fence. They argue that the Rio Grande, which has served as a natural boundary between Texas and Mexico since 1848, should be reinforced with technology and security before the govern- ment resorts to physical barriers.

“Our position is that security is a priority, but we feel we can secure Texas if we eradicate the cane and salt cedar and update our technology,” Foster said in reference to the nonnative brush lining the Rio Grande that provides a hiding spot for undocumented immigrants.

Foster offered an explanation for the disconnect with decision-makers in Washington. “San Diego, California, is the only border sector with a Congressional liaison office in Washington, and the only border area that Congress officials can take a direct flight to,” Foster said. “Congress officials return from their visits to San Diego thinking they’ve seen a representative sector of the border, when that is far from the truth.” He accused the government of applying blanket policies like the fence that overlook the inherent differences between the Texas-Mexico border and other border regions.

From Fighting to Adjusting

Despite objections by local officials, construction is under way and already impacting every citizen in Eagle Pass.

Since flood planes prevent construction along the river, DHS must build through private property and public grounds to meet its construction goal in Eagle Pass. Consequently, the new border fence will separate the city from its public park and divide Eagle Pass from the intake system for its water supply.