SAN LUIS, Ariz., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The Department of Homeland Security's border fence now stretches nearly 145 miles in towns from California to New Mexico.
After a sluggish start, the agency reached its goal of finishing 70 miles in this month alone, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.
"When we make a commitment, we will carry through on the commitment," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday in Douglas, Ariz., where he marked the fence's progress.
The fence covers a fraction of the 1,952-mile border and it remains to be seen if it will slow the more than 1 million illegal immigrants who cross over the border each year, the Times reported.
Nearly 32 miles of the steel fence, the longest stretch, runs from San Luis, Ariz., to the Tinajas Altas mountains and is meant to prevent access to the Barry M. Goldwater Range.
