Homeland Security Stops Building Fence Along U.S.-Mexico Border
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has put the brakes on the controversial "virtual fence" along the U.S.-Mexican border.
The $3 billion dollar plan, called SBInet, was problematic during the Bush administration, and its woes have continued. The fence has been riddled with problems, and a recent critical report by the Department's inspector general sealed its fate. In a statement Tuesday, Napolitano said:
Not only do we have an obligation to secure our borders, we have a responsibility to do so in the most cost-effective way possible. The system of sensors and cameras along the Southwest border known as SBInet has been plagued with cost overruns and missed deadlines.
Boeing was managing the project. In response, spokeswoman Jenna McMullin said the company has always recognized the importance of developing the program quickly and affordably for Customs and the Border Patrol.
“We are fully committed to delivering border security technology that successfully assists them in their mission, and we will continue to support the Department of Homeland Security as they examine the future of securing the nation's borders,” she said.
Napolitano said stimulus money that was supposed to go towards the project would instead be used in other ways to secure the borders:
Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security will redeploy $50 million of Recovery Act funding originally allocated for the SBInet Block 1 to other tested, commercially available security technology along the Southwest border, including mobile surveillance, thermal imaging devices, ultra-light detection, backscatter units, mobile radios, cameras and laptops for pursuit vehicles, and remote video surveillance system enhancements.
The project’s halt comes amid rising violence along the U.S. border with Mexico that has Sen. John McCain urging Americans to heed the recent State Department travel warning to delay visits to the Mexican states of Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua.
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Don't they realize how many illegals die in those deserts? Building a fence will save lives!
I don't follow anyone, because those that appear to be on the same path usually end up just getting in my way.
There are Germans laughing heartily at our stupidity right now. Building a wall on any US border is a joke and a complete waste of money . We'll be tearing down any built wall within a generation, fer sure. Is this the best way they can waste our tax money? Our stimulus funds? Sure it is. We've got a police state for a bargain!
They're not keeping us in, they're keeping others out.
I don't follow anyone, because those that appear to be on the same path usually end up just getting in my way.
How deep is the fence? It's not unheard of that they might dig beneath it to get into our wonderful mess of a country that doesn't want them. Is this what they mean by America being the home of the free and land of the brave? Our paranoia seems pretty cowardly to me. And calling our society "free" is another whole argument to get into...
We have the means to detect activity underground, so that's just a matter of how serious we are about this issue. It's not paranoia when the problem is real.
I don't follow anyone, because those that appear to be on the same path usually end up just getting in my way.
I guess the only really solid argument I have against building a fence/wall to keep immigrants (and terrorists) out is Timothy McVeigh. We need to worry about the psychotic, disinfranchised, Christian white males born and bred right here in America, not the hard-working Mexicans who want to immigrate. Thanks for the intelligent discussion Shawn!
Every angle of the spectrum has its' Timothy McVeigh. I am a white christian, disinfranchised, and my wife may say psychotic, male. He didn't define people that hold my views anymore than leftist radicals define those who are focused on the social agenda of this nation.
It simply comes down to the law , enforce it, or change it. As for mexicans who want to support their families back at home, work visas. Whala, problem solved. They don't get benefits without paying taxes and they better their lot in life. Now we're all happy.
I don't follow anyone, because those that appear to be on the same path usually end up just getting in my way.
reform the healthcare system, "create/save" 100,000+ supposed jobs but they can't build a fence? Seriously congress did you even have other companies bid and compete for the job or did you just throw money at it and assume it would get done?
We are fully committed to border security ? OK? So why according to many estimates, have over 10,000 died? A half of a fence is no different than no fence. Ja-No should thank America's big business and the US chamber of Commerce for this good news . What a bunch of pudknockers.
Great, now they realize that the plan will not work . Now what do we do with a half built fence? Who is the brain child that came up with this plan before really thinking things through. Another genius or group of geniuses that need to be removed from office.