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Deployment Analysis
Key Issues/Constraints:
• Densely populated urban area
o Population of Brownsville, Texas: 176,000
o Population of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico: 303,000
• The Brownsville/Matamoros area is a densely populated urban area which
supports approximately 30% of the international commerce between the United
States and Mexico (agricultural, industrial and commercial)
• The areas immediately adjacent to the Brownsville city limits consist of a variety
of terrain features. Among those terrain features, are vast open farm lands (which
produce a variety of gains, vegetables and sugar cane) dense high/low brush lands
and residential neighborhoods.
• (b) (7)(E)
• Aside from the “Cat Corridor” USFWS manages a large area of federally
protected Wildlife Refuge lands within this fence segment.
o (b) (7)(E)
• Within the Brownsville’s Stations area of responsibility there are two pedestrian
Ports of Entry and a railway bridge all of which are located in the downtown area.
• Colonia Galaxia is situated directly north of the proposed fence segment.
• Homes and businesses within the City of Matamoros, Tamaulipas are located
within ½ mile of the U.S. border.
o (b) (7)(E)
o The approximate mileage from the river to Colonia Galaxia is about 1/10th
of a mile. This area is consists of open land with tall grass and low brush.
• Established streets paved and dirt roads exist on both sides of the immediate
border and facilitate lateral movement for the criminal element.
o (b) (7)(E)
• Upon entry, illegal entrants can easily assimilate into the Colonia Galaxia, a
residential neighborhood that is located to the north of the United States
International Boundary & Water Commission (USIBWC) levee, which
necessitates a barrier to provide a persistence of impedance.
• West of Colonia Galaxia there is a proposal for POE (Flor de Mayo) . The
proposed fencing will enhance security of the newely proposed POE.
The closeness of the populated area on the opposite sides of the border creates an
opportunity for criminal organizations to gain quick access from one side to the other and
essentially assimilate into the general population, thus avoiding detection and evading
apprehension. This situation creates an enforcement vulnerability for agents charged
with gaining effective control of the border.
Alternatives Analysis:
• Baseline – (b) (7)(E)
o (b) (7)(E)
o The construction cost for the pedestrian fence over a three year period
(construction, maintenance and repairs) is estimated at approximately
$19,564,740 compared to the deployment of Border Patrol Agents is
estimated at $$226,800,000.
• Pedestrian Fence – Pedestrian fence will deter illegal entrants who are not
physically capable of climbing the structure and significantly delay those who
may be fit enough to climb it by providing a sustained impedance.
o With the deployment of the 3.58 miles of fencing we will be able to gain
“Effective Control” of approximately 8.7 river miles directly south of the
proposed fence segment.
o Proposed fencing will enhance the security for the proposed Railway and
pedestrian POE.
o Pedestrian fence will facilitate the agent response time to confront illegal
entrants at their time of entry and prevent them from assimilating into
nearby urban dwellings.
o As a stand alone feature, pedestrian fence cannot detect illegal entrants or
alert enforcement personnel for a proper response and resolution to the
situation. As a result, personnel and technology are required to
compliment tactical infrastructure.
o The estimated costs of the initial and over a three year period, to include
maintenance and repair would be approximately $19,564,740
(approximately 4.2 million per mile).
• Vehicle Fence –The U.S./Mexico border in Texas has the Rio Grande River to
serve as a natural, vehicular barrier between both countries.
o The estimated 3 year cost of implementing a vehicular fence in these 3.58
miles of fence would be approximately $10,238,800.
o The estimated costs of obtaining and maintaining a Marine fleet for such a
deployment would be approximately $4,992,000 over a three year period.
Recommended Solution:
• Deploy pedestrian fencing to deter prospective illegal entrants.
• Deploy a seismic sensor system on the south side of the fence to alert agents when
a person or persons will be approaching the fence, attempting to circumvent, or
tamper with the fence.
• Deploy cameras providing overlapping view sheds of the fence to provide
enhanced surveillance and compliment detection capabilities.
• Deploy visual deterrence systems (lights that may be activated by camera
operators) for nighttime deterrence, and audio systems (speakers that allow
operators to “talk” to potential illegal entrants to let them know they have been
detected and will face arrest if they continue into the US.
• Deploy MSS units, mobile radar, to compliment the tracking capabilities for
agents.
• Deploy agents in a mobile capacity, patrolling along the fence and responding
when the technology systems detect an illegal entry.
• Deploy CBP Air and Marine Assets continuously to assist agents in detecting,
deterring and apprehending illegal incursions.
Projected Results:
• Most, if not all attempted illegal entries will be redirected into areas around the
pedestrian fence, providing additional enforcement response time.
• Those who challenge the pedestrian fence will require equipment or assistance
from others, thereby increase the level of difficultly and frustration of the criminal
element.
• Agents will be available to expand operations to rural areas to address the shift in
smuggling patterns. This shift will provide agents with a tactical advantage in
addressing changes in illegal traffic patterns.
• Create the potential to re-allocate several million dollars in yearly salaries for a
one-time cost of tactical infrastructure and technology deployment.
• Increased level of “Effective Control” will be established in area directly
impacted by fence construction. The reallocation of personnel resources to areas
that flank the fence will result in an increase in the level of “Effective Control” of
these areas as well.
• With the appropriate implementation of infrastructure, technology, and personnel
resources, there will be a significant enhancement to the border security status.
The border security status is expected to rise to a sustainable level of “Initial