xrough

US-Mexico 'virtual fence' ready


A high-technology system to control the US-Mexico border with cameras and radar instead of a physical fence has gained government approval, US officials say.
The $20m 'virtual fence' already covers 28 miles (48km) of the border between Arizona state and Mexico.

The system has already helped catch smugglers, and would be deployed elsewhere, said US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

But he said plans to complete 770 miles (1,130km) of physical fence remain.

"I have personally witnessed the value of this system," said Mr Chertoff.

"I have spoken directly to the border patrol agents... who have seen it produce actual results in terms of identifying and allowing the apprehension of people who are illegally smuggling across the border."

Unmanned towers

Built by Boeing, the virtual fence is part of a strategy to stop illegal immigrants as well as drug-smugglers attempt to pass into the US on foot or in vehicles.

Its technology - including 100-ft (30-metre) unmanned surveillance towers equipped with sophisticated sensor devices - is capable of distinguishing people from cattle at a distance of about 10 miles (16km).

The system's cameras and radars are powerful enough to determine whether people are carrying backpacks that may contain weapons or drugs.

The US government plans to extend the technology to other areas of the Arizona border, as well as sections of Texas, possibly within months.

In a televised debate in Texas on Thursday, both Democratic party presidential candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, said high-technology surveillance could lessen the need for a physical barrier.

A highly charged political issue, immigration has been at the forefront of this year's presidential campaign.

Plans for the physical barrier covering about a third of the US-Mexico border have drawn fierce criticism.

__________________

ChrisF202

I am not so sure this will have much of an effect. I personally feel that this is just another "feel good" measure by the politicians to get more votes. If they really wanted to do something about this they would go after the root cause: the greedy business owners who hire them.

FullTank

Time to make it physical.

ChrisF202

I agree, but it would be very costly and we still need to get at the root; the businesses that employ them.

People do also tend to forget that its not just illegal immigrants; we also have tons of drug smugglers, rogue Mexican Army units, gangs/terrorists, etc crossing the border as well hence the need for a fortified barrier.

My optimal solution:

Step 1: Abolish the US Border Patrol and combine the old US Border Patrol along with the US Secret Service (uniformed and plainclothes branches), US Park Police, and the military police and CID branches to create a paramilitary federal constabulary similar to the French Gendarmerie, Italian Carabinieri, Spanish Guardia Civil, etc. This organization would number at least 200,000 and would be trained and equipped to perform both military and police functions.

Step 2: Build some form of fortified barrier covering the ENTIRE length of the US/Mexico border from San Diego, CA to South Padre Island, TX manned by the previously mentioned Federal Constabulary.

Step 3: Crack down on the businesses that employ and attract illegal immigrants. The claim that they are "just doing the jobs that Americans wont do" is total bunk, its just the some business owners are greedy and wont offer more then $5/hour or some abysmally low salary so thus only the illegals will take the job.

FullTank

How the business gonna employ them if they cannot cross?

Money will always come if your ready to spend it for the right things or feel its important enough.


You can never get to the root. Business/Households are just playing the demand/supply market game. Might as well just wait till kingdom comes to get to the root or build the damn fence.

Any politician talking about things like need to solve the problem of the people already here are just taking the public for a ride. Most important thing is stopping more people. Then you can 'take care' of the people already here in a mutually agreed way.

Man only a politician can go winding about and create confusion about a straight thing like this. You got to marvel their skills at votebank politics.

btw just for the record who are the politicians spinning this yarn these elections?
Fred Thompson was definitely speaking along the terms of building the wall first and then next look into the issue people already here(not necessarily chuck them out). Sounded most reasonable.
Whats the take on the matter by McCain, Hillary & Obama?

Gun Grape

Where will you get the people for this? I mean it sounds well and good but for your idea to work you need "Eyes on" 24/7. Or they will just re route border crossers to an area not under surveillance. Thats my experience from a JTF-6 tour.

The southern border is about 3140Km long. In Desert Storm, a US Division held a defensive line about 30Km long. This would be the minimum that you would need. More since units were not "tied in" and their were gaps in the lines that were covered by other means.

But using that as a baseline you need the equivalent of 105 Army Divisions manning the border at all times. So in reality you need to at least triple that number (3 X 8hr shifts) for 24/7 coverage or 315 Divisions worth.

For reference in WW2 the US Army fielded 91 divisions

Ray

I was seeing Fox News and it showed tunnels had been dug below the fence to smuggle drugs and illegals.

Some tunnels had lighting and airconditioning too!

__________________


"Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."

I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

HAKUNA MATATA