http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?secti ... id=4637833



Fence Won't Stem Illegal Immigration, Experts Say
TIJUANA, Mexico, October 7, 2006 - Mexican immigration experts say they don't expect additional border fencing to stem illegal immigration northward over the U.S. border.

Analysts at a Tijuana, Mexico-based think-tank focused on border affairs say existing fences along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border have done little but push illegal migrants into the Arizona desert and feed a booming smuggling industry.
Border Patrol figures indicate that as security has tightened, smugglers have been hiding more migrants in vehicles or diverting them across inhospitable sections of the border.

Some analysts predict smugglers could turn to boats and tunnels to beat new security measures along the border.

The two methods are popular with drug smugglers but seldom used by immigrant traffickers.

Federal authorities are preparing to build a high-tech barrier fence to block illegal immigration. On Wednesday, President Bush signed the $1.2-billion funding bill to increasing surveillance at busy crossing points.