South Texas Landowners Slow Border Fence’s Progress In Court

McALLEN, Texas (AP) – South Texas landowners fighting border fence surveys have gained traction in court.

That could keep the federal government from meeting Congress’ demand for 670 miles of Mexican border fencing by the end of the year.

One case has already held up dozens of others for more than a month. Its outcome could mean further delays for 38 more cases scheduled for hearings this week.

The Justice Department has sued more than 50 property owners in Texas this year and 75 along the whole U.S.-Mexico border. That’s after the owners refused to allow workers onto their property for surveys and other preliminary work.

Now, a Texas judge has ruled in favor of the landowners. But a recent ruling from U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Brownsville ordered the government to first try to negotiate the price of access with landowners.

The Department of Homeland Security has won access in 35 cases. Most of the nearly 500 property owners in the fence’s path gave voluntary access to their land. As of February 21st, 303 miles of fencing had been built.

Communities along the Rio Grande in South Texas have fought hardest. They fear being cut off from the river and agricultural lands and bristle at the imposition of a plan hatched in Washington.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)