With the subject of immigration reform and border security continuing to be a top issue in Washington, new legislation has been proposed that once again recognizes the benefits of modular construction and the use of permanent and temporary modular buildings for border security applications. Arizona Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain have introduced the Border Security Enforcement Act of 2011, legislation designed to combat illegal immigration, drug and alien smuggling, and violent activity along the border between Mexico and Arizona, Texas, California, and New Mexico. As part of a 10-point comprehensive border security plan, $20 million in funding is allocated for additional Border Patrol stations including the use of modular buildings at six proposed permanent Border Patrol Forward Operating Bases. This is in response to a 2010 Government Accountability Office study that indicated the distances between Forward Operating Bases is too great and hinders the timely response of the Border Patrol to illegal activity.

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Steve Sickman is Marketing Director for Ramtech Building Systems, Inc.  He has worked in marketing in the construction industry for 17 years and is responsible for promotions in each of Ramtech’s key market segments: Education, Government, Medical, and Commercial.