WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff called the fence being built along the U.S.-Mexico border a valuable tool in curbing illegal immigration.
In an interview with The New York Times, Chertoff said the controversial border fence itself was not the ultimate answer to illegal immigration; however it was by no means a waste of resources.
"It is a useful tool that makes it more difficult for people to cross," Chertoff said Tuesday. "It is one of a number of tools we have, and you've got to use all of the tools."
Chertoff was responding to the latest legal challenge to the 670-mile fence project. The Texas Border Coalition filed a lawsuit Friday contending that the Department of Homeland Security failed to negotiate with local authorities and property owners in Texas before starting construction.
The organization, which includes border city mayors and other elected officials, told The Times that the fence project was pushed through without enough study and is overall an ineffective means of controlling immigration.