By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement in regards to news from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that they are ending SBInet (the border "virtual fence") as originally conceived and will instead implement a new border security technology plan:
"The SBInet program has been a grave and expensive disappointment since its inception. Our Committee has held 11 hearings on the project, commissioned 5 critical GAO reports, all while this program cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion for only 53 miles of coverage. I am glad that DHS and CBP are finally listening to what we have been saying for years - that the sheer size and variations of our borders show us a one-stop solution has never been best. I applaud them for taking this critical step toward using a more tailored technologically-based approach to securing our Nation's borders."