'Virtual fence' to curb illegal immigration
Matthew Zander
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: News

There are approximately 11 million illegal aliens currently living within the borders of the United States - a number that is expected to swell after a high-tech attempt to curb illegal immigration has been delayed. The Department of Homeland Security announced this past week its plans to install a virtual fence on a strip of land located on the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona will be stalled for another three years.

The fence will make use of radar, sensors and other surveillance equipment that can detect any movement flowing across U.S. borders. Additionally, a physical fence will accompany the virtual system.

This week it was declared the first part of the fence's operations, which have been allocated at $5 million, in addition to the original $20 million, will not be ready until 2011 due to technical glitches found in its monitors.

Ramon Rivera, assistant chief in the U.S. Border Patrol and spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said he believes the virtual fence will be successful.

Rivera said Boeing Co. won the rights to develop the system, Project 28, named for the number of miles the fence will cover, in 2006. The U.S. Government Accountability Office said Boeing Co. had used inappropriate and ineffective commercial software and a complete redesign will be required.

The Department utilized the Secure Border Initiative, also known as SBInet, with Boeing Co. to create technology that was to be used to restrict access into U.S. borders, he said.

"SBInet and Project 28 contain the right combination of personnel, technology and infrastructure," Rivera said. "The goal of SBInet is to integrate new technology which will allow for better recognition of encroachment into our borders."

He said despite the fence's problems, 2,000 illegal immigrants have already been taken into custody.

"Technology is the wave of the future," Rivera said. "It is proven and it is working. It will be very effective."

Rep. Harry Mitchell of Arizona said he is unsatisfied with the recent turn of events.
I assumed things were going very well because I hadn't heard anything until the GAO announcement," said Mitchell. "We were counting on this to seal the border, and we jumped into it without knowing anything."

Rivera said the concept of a virtual fence is currently being used in parts of the Middle East where the United States tracks military advancement similarly to how it will track the ability for foreigners to illegally enter the country.

According to reports, the problem of immigration faces more issues than aliens slipping by border patrol, such as using fake or altered documents to enter the country. The virtual fence was viewed as a strong deterrent for illegal foreigners.

Mitchell said the problem lies in fully sealing the border.

"The Department of Homeland Security doesn't seem like they were prepared for the physical or virtual barriers," he said. "I think it really is a problem. Immigration must be dealt with and most important is to seal the borders."

Senior Tyson Loverro, a political science major, said he does not care who is at fault, but is more concerned with working out glitches in the project. Right now blame is being placed on both Boeing Co. for its unsuccessful programming and the Department for its hasty and rushed operations.

"Especially now when there are no jobs anywhere and the dollar and insurance rates are dirt, the government needs to take care of Americans first," Loverro said. "I know people say that this country was based on bringing in all types of immigrants into Ellis Island but the government has to take care of its citizens first."

Mitchell said it is essential to seal the border and fix the problems of the current system.

"We've got to make it work. The important part is sealing the border," he said. "Something has to be done and we will do it."


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