Bush Signs U.S.-Mexico Border Fence Bill

President Bush signs the Secure Fence Act of 2006 in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, Oct. 26, 2006. Standing, from left are, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Ralph Basham, U.S. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., House Majority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tenn. and Vice President Dick Cheney. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) (Ron Edmonds - AP)

WASHINGTON -- President Bush wanted an exchange of workers with Mexico to bring order to the border, but wound up signing a law Thursday that approves partitioning 700 miles of the United States from its southern neighbor.

The administration once talked of "orderly migration" _ workers entering the United States and returning to Mexico or other countries when their jobs were finished. But political realities have replaced phrases like that with "border security" and plans for fences, surveillance cameras, unmanned aerial vehicles and watch towers.

Bush still wants a guest-worker program. But the toughest resistance to that idea has come from his own Republican Party _ and has intensified as the midterm elections have drawn near.

His White House signing ceremony for the new fence law _ just 12 days before the Nov. 7 elections _ gave Republicans something to point to as they try to convince voters their party would do a better job of cracking down on illegal immigrants and keeping criminals and terrorists out.

"We're modernizing the southern border of the United States so we can assure the American people we're doing our job of securing the border," Bush said.

The new law also gives the Department of Homeland Security up to 18 months to achieve "operational control" of the border, defined as preventing all illegal entries into the U.S. by land or water.

The bill didn't come with any new funding, and the $1.2 billion that Congress previously approved is not enough to build the full 700 miles of proposed double-layer fence.

A 14-mile stretch under construction in the San Diego area is estimated to cost $126.5 million. Costs differ depending on terrain, environmental issues and whether private property is involved.

Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said Congress will add more money each year to erect the fence.

"Within about three years, we should have about 370 miles," said Kyl, whose state would be virtually sealed from Mexico through fencing and other barriers.

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Ralph Basham said the fence could take many forms, from chain link to solid wall, depending on where it is placed. The shape will be determined with the help of Boeing Co., which was awarded a $67 million contract to install a high-tech "virtual fence" along 28 miles in Arizona.

"There is a will to get operational control of the borders and I believe they (lawmakers) are serious about this," Basham said. "It's going to mean Congress is going to have to stay serious about this and continue to fund it."