But we have a long way to go. This amendment is designed to continue the progress that we have been making with funding that is necessary for that. Just to put a little context here. for example. in 1994 we had 4.000 Border Patrol agents for the entire border. We now have over 15.000. But we still know there are way too many incursions into the United States and more Border Patrol will help to end that. We gave the Department of Homeland Security an extra $1.2 billion to pay for those Border Patrol agents. as well as fencing and vehicle barriers. detention space. and the like. Secretary Chertoff just visited my State of Arizona last week. And he reports in addition to the Border Patrol hiring that I mentioned and the addition of some detention space they are on track to complete 70 miles of fencing by the end of this year. With the additional money this amendment will provide for next year. they will be able to complete at least 371 miles of fencing along the entire Mexican border. This is not just a fence.
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Border Patrol