Homeland Security had planned to have the border fence along the southwest United States border completed by December 31st, but will fall short of their goal.
The border fence has hit the 500 mile mark, with 170 more to go before completion. Homeland Security estimates the border fence will reach the 600 mile mark by the time president-elect Barak Obama takes office on January 20th.
The border fence along the United States-mexico border is designed to make it more difficult for illegals to enter the Untied States. Congress authorized the building of the border fence in 2005 to help secure the border and slow illegal immigration. Intelligence officials have also stated that gaps along the southwest border could provide opportunities for terrorists to enter the United States.
Barak Obama, a senator at the time, voted for the border fence. Now as president-elect, Obama says he will consider whether to continue the building the border fence after he takes office. Only an estimated 70 feet of the border fence will lack being built when Obama takes office.