OBP005015

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection
PF225 Operational Justification

Report Date: 01/18/2008

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Project Fence 225 is a Department of Homeland Security initiative designed to provide

tactical infrastructure and technology deployment supplemented by a mobile law
enforcement presence. The deployment of the tactical infrastructure will enhance border
security and prevent the entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons of mass effect while at
the same time impacting upon human trafficking and narcotics organizations’ ability to
operate along our Nation’s border.

Project Fence 225 will augment current station resources along with future technologies
deployed via the SBInet program in targeted areas to achieve operational control of the
nation’s northern and southern borders. The deployment of the tactical infrastructure is
geared toward disrupting identified routes of ingress into the United States that are
utilized by smugglers and potential terrorists, providing RGV Sector the means to
formulate pre-emptive strategies to address these incursions through the deployment and
integration of tactical infrastructure, technology and personnel.

RGV border stations have identified several significant areas where a border security
fence will assist with achieving the mission of the border patrol. These projects are
known as RGV Sector Projects O-1 through O-21. These areas have been selected for the
placement of a fence based on the operational necessity in each particular area. Each
selected area has geographic characteristics requiring an actual physical barrier in
conjunction with the appropriate mix of personnel and detection technology.

SITUATION

General Situation:

PF 225 is designed to provide for additional tactical infrastructure deployment (border

fencing), to enhance current law enforcement patrols, and to coordinate government
enforcement assets and to address the high volume of illicit trafficking activities in and
around the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector. This deployment of tactical infrastructure
will target high traffic areas in order to enhance the probability of apprehension of
terrorists, weapons of mass effect (WME), Aliens from Special Interest Countries
(ASIC), Other Than Mexican (OTM), Undocumented Migrants (UDM), Human
Trafficking Organizations (HTO) and Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO) from
entering illegally through the RGV Area of Responsibility.
OBP005016

General Concept:

The concept of the operation is to deploy tactical infrastructure while utilizing current
and future technological assets throughout the approximately pre-designated 70.00 miles
of targeted areas. It will provide field agents with real-time intelligence and a tactical
advantage over illegal entries throughout the operational area. This operation will
strengthen the Sector’s defense in-depth strategy and is intended to push the station’s
northern depth of intrusion as far south from the IBWC levee as possible, and with the
implementation of additional technologies will ultimately push operational control as far
south as the US/Mexico border.

Synopsis of Each Project

Project O-1 Roma & Project O-2 Rio Grande City, Texas
The terrain throughout the Rio Grande City Area of Responsibility consists of urban,
rural and remote areas. The rural areas consist of both farmlands with wooded areas
lining the river’s edge, and rolling hills that are dense in brush and cacti. The urban areas
consist of neighborhoods and businesses within close proximity to the river. Pedestrian
fencing would cover several river miles of urban area in the cities of Roma (project O-1),
Rio Grande City, Texas (project O-2) and the rural areas immediately adjacent to these
cities. This pedestrian fencing would cover approximately 3.8 miles of urban and rural
area in Roma, Texas. In Rio Grande City, Texas pedestrian fencing would cover
approximately 8.7 miles of urban and rural area.

The proximity of the Rio Grande River to neighborhoods, the Roma Port of Entry (O-1)
and the Rio Grande City Port of Entry (O-2) have historically provided concealment for
illegal entrants facilitating quick passage to vanishing points. Short response times and
traffic congestion make these areas a desirable crossing point for all types of illegal
activities to include drug and human smugglers. The possibility of detection and
apprehension is diminished by the ease with which a person can vanish into the
community infrastructure and population within minutes, sometimes only seconds. In
these areas, pedestrian fencing will be significantly beneficial to the operational needs of
the Rio Grande City station in that it would funnel illegal activities outside of urban areas
to rural and remote areas where vanishing times are greater; thus increasing the chances
of detection and apprehension.

Vanishing Point:
The average time for illegal entrants to travel to vanishing points is from several seconds
to a few minutes. With the placement of the fence, this time will undoubtedly increase.
If incursions are forced to cross in areas where there is no fence, the increase in travel
time will allow additional response time for enforcement personnel to interdict illegal
entrants.
OBP005017

Project O-3 Los Ebanos, Texas

Fence placement in this location provides additional security for the area surrounding the
LSE POE. Due to the proximity of the City of Los Ebanos, Texas to the Rio Grande
River, response time for interdiction is limited. Counter-surveillance activity by
smuggling organizations is commonplace and facilitated by the local community
infrastructure. Fencing is needed in these areas due to heavy illicit smuggling activity
and quick passage to vanishing points. The construction of the proposed fence greatly
increases law enforcement response time and will prevent illegal incursions from
blending in with the local population and infrastructure.
Vanishing Point:
The average time for illegal entrants to travel through routes of egress to vanishing points
is from several seconds to approximately 10 minutes. With the placement of the fence,
this time will undoubtedly increase. If incursions are forced to cross in areas where there
is no fence, the vanishing point should increase by 5 minutes to 20 minutes, allowing
additional time for enforcement personnel to interdict illegal entries.

Project O-4 Penitas, Texas to Abram, Texas

This area consists of fencing to begin where the U.S. International Boundary and Water
Commission levee begins, just west of Penitas, Texas. The proposed fence will parallel
the levee until reaching Abram Extension Road. The areas south of the proposed fence
are primarily Federal refuge property and farmland. This particular area continually
experiences significant illegal trafficking of undocumented immigrants and narcotics due
to the ease of concealment that the dense vegetation provides. Response times are
hindered in this area due to the heavy brush in many areas which provides cover and
concealment until reaching the levee. North of the community of Abram, Texas is more
native brush land which facilitates passage into the community of Perezville. A network
of trails leads to various routes of egress for smugglers. Counter-surveillance efforts by
smuggling organizations are commonplace and can easily be achieved from within the
communities of Penitas and Abram. Placement of a fence would deter incursions from
this area to more remote areas ultimately disrupting established smuggling routes.

Vanishing Point:
The current average time for illegal entrants to travel through routes of egress to
vanishing points is from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Placement of the fence would
increase the vanishing time by about 20 minutes to 45 minutes for traffic attempting to
circumvent the proposed fence.
OBP005018

Project O-5 Granjeno, Texas

This project consists of continuous fence running just south of the Anzalduas Port of
Entry which is currently under construction near Granjeno, Texas. This fencing will
provide additional security for the POE as well as for the community of Granjeno, Texas.
The intended impacts of the proposed fence in this area would be to deter any illegal
incursions near the city of Granjeno, Texas and reroute any illegal trafficking into areas
where Agents would have the advantage of additional response time. The proposed fence
in this location would prevent illegal entrants from concealing themselves within the city
of Granjeno and would force any illegal routes of travel around the city. This rerouting
gives enforcement personnel a significant advantage and should result in a higher rate of
apprehension and ultimately serving in a deterrence effect.

Similar to the Pharr POE, the Anzalduas POE construction design consist of a long
bridge spanning across several acres of U.S. soil before crossing into Mexico. The Pharr
POE has historically experienced bridge jumpers utilizing ropes to scale from the bridge
and smugglers utilizing the bridge to cross illegal cargo and dumping it over the bridge
without having to negotiate the actual river itself. The fence placement in this area would
limit the success rate of attempts to circumvent the POE facility itself.

Vanishing Point:
The average time for illegal entrants to travel through routes of egress to vanishing points
is from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. Placement of the fence would increase the vanishing
time by 15 to 30 minutes.

Project O-6 Hidalgo, Texas

Placement of the fence in this area is essential due the refuge property along the Rio
Grande River near Hidalgo, Texas that provides concealment and facilitates easy passage
of illegal incursions into the Hidalgo, Texas area. The Hidalgo, Texas area has
historically been the focal point of the McAllen Station due to its proximity to the city of
Reynosa. Reynosa continues to be a significant smuggling hub for illegal entrants and
narcotics. The area is nationally notorious for the apprehension of undocumented
immigrants originating and/or traveling through “Special Interest Countries” as defined
by OBP. This particular area has experienced a significant amount of reportable border
violence incidences, including assaults on Border Patrol Agents. Placement of the fence
in this area enhances our ability to detect possible illegal incursions making it vital for
McAllen Border Patrol Operations.

Vanishing Point:
The average time for illegal entrants to travel through routes of egress to vanishing points
is currently from several seconds to about 20 minutes. The addition of a fence would
significantly increase the vanishing points providing the Border Patrol an extended
response time. Construction of a fence in this area would greatly improve response time.
The fence would greatly benefit this area due to the fact that it is Federal Refuge property
comprises the majority of the land located between the Rio Grande River and the city of
OBP005019

Hidalgo, Texas. In this area, technology and increased personnel would ssist in deterring
illegal incursions in and around Hidalgo, Texas but a physical barrier is needed due to the
city’s proximity to the river and adjacent refuge property.

Project O-7 & O-8 Donna, Texas

The terrain throughout the Weslaco Border Patrol Area of Responsibility consists of 39
river miles of urban and rural areas. The rural areas consist of both farmlands with
wooded areas lining the river’s edge, and the urban areas consist of neighborhoods and
businesses within close proximity to the Rio Grande River. The proposed location of
both fence projects will tie into the future Donna Port of Entry fence on both the east and
west sides creating a continuous fence line. The dense brush and remoteness in these
areas in and around the new Donna Port of Entry (O-7) and the Retamal Dam area (O-8)
currently require additional resources. The possibility of detection and apprehension of
an illegal entrant is currently diminished because of the dense brush used as concealment.

Vanishing Point:
In these areas, fencing will funnel illegal activities to areas where the time it takes to
reach the vanishing point is expanded, less dense brush, more tactically advantageous
locations (where future infrastructure, i.e. cameras, will be located), increasing the
chances of detection and apprehension. Consequently, the fence will act as a force
multiplier thus effectively allowing the redeployment of resources to other areas.

Project O-9 & O-10 Progreso, Texas

The terrain throughout the Weslaco Border Patrol Station’s Area of Responsibility
consists of 39 river miles of urban and rural areas. The rural areas consist of both
farmlands with wooded areas lining the river’s edge, and the urban areas consisting of
neighborhoods and businesses also within close proximity to the river. The proposed
location of pedestrian fencing will cover urban areas near the city of Progreso Lakes,
Texas (project O-9), and near the rural areas of the Progreso Port of Entry (project O-10).
The proposed location of the fence will tie into the Progreso Port of Entry fence thus
creating a continuous fence line.

The proximity of the Rio Grande River to neighborhoods, the city of Progreso Lakes, (O-
9) and the Progreso Port of Entry (O-10) provides concealment and facilitates easy
passage of illegal incursions into the surrounding communities. Short response times and
highly dense brush make these areas desirable crossing points for all types of illegal
activities including drug and human smuggling. The possibility of detection and
apprehension is diminished by the ease with which a person can vanish into the
community’s infrastructure and population within minutes. In these areas, pedestrian
fencing will be significantly beneficial to the operational needs of the Weslaco Station in
that it would funnel illegal activities to other more rural and remote areas where the time
it takes to reach the vanishing point is expanded thus increasing the chances of detection
and apprehension.
OBP005020

Vanishing Point:
In these areas, fencing will funnel illegal activities to areas where the time it takes to
reach the vanishing point is expanded, less dense brush, more tactically advantageous
locations (where future infrastructure, i.e. cameras, will be located), increasing the
chances of detection and apprehension. Consequently, the fence will act as a force
multiplier thus effectively allowing the redeployment of resources to other areas.

Project O-11 Santa Maria-Bluetown, Texas

The fence starts at the Santa Maria Canal and parallels the levee to Nemo Road in
Bluetown, Texas. The areas south of the proposed fence are primarily Federal and State
refuge properties and farmland. This particular area continually experiences significant
illegal trafficking of undocumented immigrants and narcotics due to heavy brush that
provides cover and concealment until reaching the levee. A network of trails leads to
various routes of egress utilized by human traffickers and narcotic smugglers. Placement
of a fence would redirect illegal entrants to undesired and unestablished locations
providing additional time for agents to effectively and promptly make arrests.

Vanishing Point:
The average time for intruders to reach the vanishing point is from 5 minutes to
approximately 20 minutes. With the placement of the fence, this vulnerability time will
undoubtedly increase. If incursions are forced to cross in areas where there is no fence,
the vanishing point should increase from 20 minutes to 45 minutes, allowing additional
time for enforcement personnel to interdict the illegal cross-border activities.

Project O-12 West side Los Indios, Texas

The fence starts at the Yellow Barn Road and runs parallel to the levee to Treviño Road
in Los Indios, Texas. The areas south of the proposed fence are primarily farmland,
dense brush and vegetation, while the areas north of the proposed fence have a number of
small sub-divisions. Due to the ability of illegal entrants to blend in with the local
community and quick access to routes of egress, this particular area is conducive to
illegal incursions by undocumented immigrants and narcotic smugglers. Law
enforcement efforts are hindered in this area due to the heavy brush, which provides
cover and concealment for illegal entrants until reaching the levee. The incorporation of a
fence in this area will redirect potential cross-border violators away from the community
towards more open and uninhabited areas.

Vanishing Point:
The current average time for illegal entrants to reach the vanishing point is from 2
minutes to 10 minutes. Placement of the fence would increase the vulnerable time from
approximately 15 minutes to 30 minutes for traffic attempting to circumvent the proposed
fence. This will allow additional time for agents to interdict the illegal cross-border
activities.
OBP005021

Project O-13 Los Indios, Texas

This fencing will provide additional security for the POE as well as for the community of
Los Indios, Texas. The areas south of the proposed fence are primarily Federal refuge
properties and farmland. A network of trails leads to various routes of egress for illegal
entrants. The intended impacts of the proposed fence in this area would be to deter any
and all illegal incursions near the city of Los Indios, Texas and redirect any illegal
trafficking into areas where agents would have the advantage of additional response time.
The proposed fence in this location would prevent undocumented immigrants from
concealing themselves within the city of Los Indios and would force the routes of egress
around the city. This rerouting gives agents a significant advantage and should result in a
higher rate of apprehension. Law enforcement efforts are hindered in this area due to the
heavy brush, which provides cover and concealment until reaching the levee.

Vanishing Point:
The current average time for illegal entrants to reach the vanishing point is from 5
minutes to 20 minutes. Placement of the fence would increase the vulnerable time from
approximately 15 minutes to 30 minutes for traffic attempting to circumvent the proposed
fence. This will allow additional time for agents to interdict the illegal cross-border
activities.

Project O-14 Los Indios, Texas

This fencing will provide additional security for the POE as well as for the community of
Los Indios, Texas. The areas south of the proposed fence are primarily dense brush and
farmland providing cover and concealment for illegal entrants. The intended impacts of
the proposed fence in this area would be to deter any illegal incursions near the city of
Los Indios, Texas and reroute any illegal trafficking into areas where agents would have
additional response time. The proposed fence in this location would prevent
undocumented immigrants from concealing themselves within the community of
Carricitos, (within the Los Indios, Texas city limits). Additionally, it will also force any
illegal routes of egress around the communities. This rerouting gives agents a significant
advantage and should result in a higher rate of apprehension.

Vanishing Point:
The current average time for illegal entrants to reach the vanishing point is from 5
minutes to 20 minutes. Placement of the fence would increase the vulnerable time from
approximately 20 minutes to 40 minutes for traffic attempting to circumvent the proposed
fence. This will allow additional time for agents to interdict the illegal cross-border
activities.

Project O-15 La Paloma-El Calaboz, Texas

The fence starts at Cemetery Road in La Paloma, Texas and runs parallel to the levee to
Garza Sandpit Road in El Calaboz, Texas. The areas south of the proposed fence are
primarily farmland, dense brush and vegetation. Fencing is needed in this area due to
OBP005022

heavy illicit smuggling activity in this area. Due to the proximity of the communities of
La Paloma and El Calaboz to the Rio Grande River, response time for interdiction is
limited. The construction of the proposed fence greatly increases law enforcement
response time and will ultimately contribute greatly to the success of our mission. The
physical barrier would prevent illegal incursions from blending in with the local
population and infrastructure within the time-frame that it currently takes. Counter-
surveillance activities by smuggling organizations is commonplace and facilitated by the
local community’s infrastructure.

Vanishing Point:
The current average time for illegal entrants to reach the vanishing point is from seconds
to approximately 5 minutes. Placement of the fence would increase the vulnerable time
from approximately 10 minutes to 20 minutes for traffic attempting to circumvent the
proposed fence. This will allow additional time for agents to interdict the illegal cross-
border activities.

Project O-16 El Calaboz-El Ranchito, Texas

The fence starts at Garza Sandpit Road in El Calaboz, Texas and runs parallel to the levee
to just east of Estero Road in El Ranchito, Texas. The areas south of the proposed fence
are primarily farmland, dense brush and vegetation. Fencing is needed due to the
proximity of the communities of El Calaboz and El Ranchito to the Rio Grande River,
response time for interdiction is limited in this area. The physical barrier would prevent
illegal incursions from blending in with the local population and infrastructure.

Vanishing Point:
The current average time for illegal entrants to reach the vanishing point is from seconds
to approximately 5 minutes. Placement of the fence would increase the vulnerable time
from approximately 10 minutes to 20 minutes for traffic attempting to circumvent the
proposed fence. This will allow additional time for agents to interdict the illegal cross-
border activities.

Project O-17 Mulberry Lane to Riverbend Resort Water Tower

Fence placement in this location provides additional security for the area surrounding the
Riverbend Resort and San Pedro, Texas community. A proposed future railway port of
entry will be located along this alignment. Fencing is needed in this area due to the close
proximity of U.S. Highway 281 and subdivision development near the Rio Grande River,
which limiting our response times. The construction of the proposed fence would prevent
illegal entrants from blending in with the local population and infrastructure within the
time-frame that it currently takes. Counter-surveillance activity by smuggling
organizations is commonplace and facilitated by the local community’s infrastructure.
Our marked service units can easily been seen while conducting routine patrol activities
in this area, making apprehensions more difficult.
OBP005023

Vanishing Point:
The average time for illegal entrants to reach the vanishing points ranges from seconds to
approximately 10 minutes. With the placement of the fence, this time will undoubtedly
increase. Illegal entrants will be forced to cross through areas where there is no fence
thus increasing travel time to vanishing points from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. This will
provide additional time for enforcement personnel to interdict illegal cross-border
activities. Illegal incursions will also be diverted to locations where Remote Video
Surveillance Systems (RVSS) currently exist, facilitating earlier detection and higher
probabilities of apprehension.

Project O-18 Los Fresnos Pump to PUB Fence line (west)

Some areas north and south of the proposed fence are Federal refuge property and
farmland. This particular area continually experiences significant illegal trafficking of
undocumented immigrants and narcotics due to the close proximity of the Rio Grande
River to residential subdivisions and schools. This fencing will provide additional
security for the future proposed Flor De Mayo Port of Entry. Patrol efforts must be
maximized due to the heavy brush in many areas which provides cover and concealment
both north and south of the levee. A network of trails leads to various routes of egress for
smugglers along this stretch. Placing a fence in this area will act as a force multiplier by
allowing Border Patrol to redeploy resources to more remote areas and cover a larger
area.

Vanishing Point:
The current average time for illegal entrants to reach the vanishing points ranges from
seconds to 20 minutes. Placement of the fence would increase travel time to vanishing
points by approximately 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Illegal entrants will be diverted to
locations where Remote Video Surveillance Systems (RVSS) exist, facilitating earlier
detection with higher probabilities of apprehension.

Project O-19 Extension of Palm Blvd. to River Levee Dr. (“Y”)

This fencing will provide additional security for the urban areas of Brownsville, Texas
and the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) campus. The intended impacts of the
proposed fence in this area would be to deter any illegal incursions near the city of
Brownsville, Texas and reroute any illegal trafficking into areas where agents would have
the advantage of additional response time. The proposed fence in this location would
prevent illegal entrants from concealing themselves by blending in with the general
public within the City of Brownsville. The fence would force current routes of egress to
be rerouted to less populated areas. This rerouting provides enforcement personnel a
significant advantage and should result in a higher rate of apprehension.

The Gateway and Brownsville & Matamoros Ports of Entry within the City of
Brownsville have historically experienced bridge jumpers utilizing ropes to scale down
from the bridge without having to negotiate the actual river itself. The fence would limit
the success rate of those attempting to circumvent the river by utilizing the Port of Entry.
OBP005024

This particular area has experienced a significant amount of reportable border violence
incidences, including assaults on Border Patrol Agents. Apprehensions in this area
typically yield incursions of returning criminal aliens into the United States due the large
influx of previously deported aliens being repatriated to Mexico by Immigration and
Customs Enforcement through the Gateway Port of Entry.

Vanishing Point:
The current average time for illegal entrants to reach the vanishing points ranges from
seconds to minutes. Placement of the fence would increase the travel time to these points
from 5 to 40 minutes. Illegal incursions will be diverted to locations where Remote
Video Surveillance Systems (RVSS) currently exist and facilitate detection providing a
higher probability of apprehension.

Project O-20 River Levee Dr. (“Y”) to Veterans Port of Entry

Placement of the fence in this area is essential due to the fact that USFWS Cat Corridor
easement runs along the south side of the USIBWC levee near Brownsville, Texas. This
easement provides cover and concealment, which facilitating routes of egress for illegal
entrants into the University of Texas at Brownsville and the Lincoln Park area. The
Brownsville, Texas area has historically been the focal point of the Brownsville Station
due to its proximity to the city of Matamoros. Matamoros continues to be a significant
smuggling hub for undocumented immigrants, narcotics, and aliens from countries other
than Mexico. This area is nationally notorious for the apprehension of undocumented
immigrants originating and/or traveling through “Special Interest Countries” as defined
by OBP. This particular area has experienced a significant amount of reportable border
violence incidences, including assaults on Border Patrol Agents. In the Brownsville,
Texas area, use of detection technology enhances our ability to identify possible illegal
incursions. The presence of physical infrastructure would greatly enhance and
compliment our ability to deter illegal entry in that area.

Vanishing Point:
The current average time for illegal entrants to reach the vanishing points ranges from
seconds to minutes. Placement of the fence would increase the travel time to these points
from 5 to 40 minutes. Construction of a fence in this area would greatly enhance the
safety of the residents commuting to and from the University of Texas at Brownsville
campus as well as divert illegal entrants to locations where Remote Video Surveillance
Systems (RVSS) exist. This should facilitate detection, which should provide a higher
probability of apprehension.

Project O-21 East of Veterans POE to Sea Shell Inn

The terrain contained within this area is agricultural, urban and marsh in nature. Multiple
entry points exist on the south side throughout project O-21. Several of these entry points
border urban environments. The geographic layout of this area dictates travel to routes of
egress leading to vanishing points. These vanishing points leading into these urban
environments range from seconds to minutes. As one moves out further east, the terrain
OBP005025

becomes more agricultural, which deprives illegal entrants the ability to use urban areas
for concealment. The fence will allow Border Patrol to concentrate on more specific
locations without illegal entrants circumventing patrols. Eastward towards the end of the
fence project, the terrain begins to consist of marsh and dense vegetation making travel
long and tedious. Utilization of the proposed fence will push potential illegal entrants
towards the marsh thus slowing down current travel times from minutes to hours. This
will expand Border Patrol’s window of opportunity for apprehension, which provides a
tactical advantage to quickly facilitate apprehension and reach a successful law
enforcement resolution. Combining additional resources will enable Border Patrol to
push the station’s northern depth of intrusion as far south from the IBWC levee as
possible.

Vanishing Point:
The current average time for illegal entrants to reach the vanishing points ranges from
seconds to hours. Placement of the fence would increase the travel time to these points
from several minutes to hours. Pedestrian fencing along with support infrastructure
(improved river roads, lighting, cameras, etc) in the above mentioned urban and rural
areas will significantly act as force multipliers and assist in achieving and maintaining
operational control of these areas.

The deployment of the tactical infrastructure is geared toward disrupting identified routes
of ingress into the United States that are utilized by smugglers and potential terrorists,
providing the RGV stations the means to formulate pre-emptive strategies to address
these incursions through the redeployment and integration of additional tactical
infrastructure, technology and personnel. Once operational control is achieved and
maintained in these areas, manpower resources would be redeployed to other rural and
remote areas in the Rio Grande Valley’s Area of Responsibility.