U.S. Rep. Walter Jones today accepted a petition signed by 200,000 people calling for double-layered fencing along 700 miles of the U.S. border with Mexico to restrict illegal immigration.

The petition was presented by GrassFire.org, Rob Christensen reports. It urges Congressional action on a bill the Farmville Republican introduced in January requiring construction of the fence by next June.

"By fully funding a physicial fence across the U.S-Mexican border, and setting a date for completion, we can regain control of our nation’s borders and stop the flood if illegal immigration," said Jones, a Republican, said in a statement.

Among those joining Jones at a Washington news conference was Rep. Virginia Foxx.

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones' latest TV ad focuses on border security.

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones introduced a bill requiring a border fence by 2009.

Jones, the first member of Congress to sign a pledge calling for a border fence, introduced a bill yesterday to fund a double fence along the U.S.-Mexico border by June 30, 2009.

The "Fence By Date Certain Act," now awaiting approval by the House Committee on Homeland Security, revives the language of a 2006 law that later lost effectiveness.

The Farmville Republican has emphasized the need for increased border security, saying the time has come to stop illegal immigration.

"By fully funding a physical fence across the U.S.-Mexican border, and setting a date for completion, we can regain control of our nation's borders," he said. "Now is the time to secure America."