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PermalinkReport: Millions Wasted In Constructing Border Fence
The DHS Inspector General said the $69 million “could have been put to better use.” CBP officials defend the expenditure.
Friday, December 9, 2011
SAN DIEGO — In the last three years, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has spent approximately $1.2 billion to build a total of 299 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border in California, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
According to the audit, CBP purchased much more steel than it needed. It also came up with a budget estimate before legally acquiring land or meeting international treaty obligations.
Above: A patched-up portion of the steel fence along the U.S.-Mexico border separating Tijuana from San Diego.
And as a result of storing the unused steel, CBP incurred high storage costs, and even interest on late storage payments.
The Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General said the $69 million dollars "could have been put to better use."
But in an email response to a request for an interview, a CBP spokesperson refuted the report's findings. The spokesperson said the funds actually helped with: "The successful completion of the fence within the strict time constraints."
Comments
Missionaccomplished | December 9, 2011 at 8:35 a.m. ― 1 year, 5 months ago
And the surplus is going where?
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Missionaccomplished | December 9, 2011 at 8:35 a.m. ― 1 year, 5 months ago
So why aren't the Teebirchers bagging?
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JusticeP | December 9, 2011 at 1:21 p.m. ― 1 year, 5 months ago
Wasted is the correct word.
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