Arizona border fencing plan approved

WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- A U.S. Senate committee has authorized fencing 200 miles of Arizona's border with Mexico but not in California, New Mexico and Texas.

The House had earlier approved building 700 miles of fencing in all four states, reports the Washington Times.

The version in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is part of the immigration reform legislation, was sought by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. His proposal also called for vehicle barriers along Arizona's border, the Times reported.

Senate Republicans feel fencing over a wider area would be too expensive. They prefer a "virtual" border with sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles, increased border patrol agents and fencing in high population or high-traffic areas, the report said.