Statement from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Press Secretary Laura Keehner

February 29, 2008 -- P-28 was designed to be a demonstration of critical technologies and system integration under the broader SBInet initiative. Specifically, its purpose was to demonstrate the feasibility of the SBInet technical approach developed by Boeing, and to show that this type of technology could be deployed to help secure the southwest border of the United States. The intended objective has been achieved – after successful field testing, we formally accepted it from Boeing last week. We have a system that is operational and has already assisted in identifying and apprehending over 2,000 illegal aliens trying to cross the border since December.

We have been forthcoming about the technical deficiencies identified in the P-28 module last year, and as good stewards of the taxpayers’ money, DHS delayed acceptance of P-28. After a period or operational testing, additional deficiencies were identified and subsequently corrected to the department’s satisfaction. From the P-28 demonstration, we learned that a one-size-fits-all architecture does not meet our needs. Accordingly, we are building upon lessons learned to develop a new border-wide architecture that will incorporate upgraded software, mobile surveillance systems, unattended ground sensors, unmanned and manned aviation assets, and an improved communication system to enable better connectivity and system performance.

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The GAO is simply incorrect in its assertion that the delay with P-28, which was from June to December 2007 only, delayed our deploying other tactical infrastructure along the border. In fact, we are committed to developing and deploying technology and tactical infrastructure along the border that works and that protects the interests of taxpayers. To that end, we have requested a budget of $775 million next fiscal year – bringing the two-year total to $2 billion – to continue these efforts.

The department has completed more than 167 miles of pedestrian fence and 134 miles of vehicle fence on the southwest border, for a total of approximately 302 miles. We are on track to have 670 miles of total pedestrian fence and vehicle fence by the end of 2008. Further, the Border Patrol now has more than 15,000 agents and by the end of this year we will have more than 18,300 agents. This doubles the size of the Border Patrol under President Bush’s leadership. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also continues to increase its workforce at the ports of entry, hiring 2,156 new CBP Officers and 340 agriculture specialists, for a net increase of 648 officers and 151 specialists in Fiscal Year 2007.

Source: DHS