US border fence signed into law
BBC
news.bbc.co.uk
Oct 5, 2006
The barrier, equipped with hi-tech surveillance equipment, will be built in areas where many illegal immigrants cross over into the United States.
Mr Bush has also suggested a temporary guest worker programme to allow immigrants to work legally in the US.
But Republican congressmen have argued against the idea.
They said it would be an amnesty that would give illegal immigrants a route to citizenship.
Under the new law, around $1.2bn will be spent over the coming year on the border, which will be built on remote and inhospitable border areas in the south west of the country.
Comprehensive reform
Speaking at the signing of the bill in Arizona, Mr Bush said the fence alone was not enough to curb illegal immigration.
"The funds that Congress has appropriated are critical for our efforts to secure this border and enforce our laws, yet we must also recognise that enforcement alone is not going to work," he said.
"We need comprehensive reform that provides a legal way for people to work here on a temporary basis."
There are an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the US.
Mexico has also said the fence will badly affect relations with the US.
