The most expensive fence in the U.S.

[Are_grits_groceries]

In a nutshell, it will cost $6.5 billion over the next 20 years to maintain the fence along the U.S.-Mexico border. However, despite the fact that $2.4 billion has already been spent to build 633 miles of fence along the southwest border, there's no way to evaluate cost-wise whether the fence has helped to control the flow of illegal immigrants.
<snip>
The GAO noted two big problems with the fence. One is that people are still getting over, under and through it. As of May 14, there have been 3,363 breaches in the fence, and each one costs around $1,300 to repair. That's $4.3 million in repairs. Another is that the new technology being installed to work on the border (sensors, radars and cameras) has either been delayed or doesn't work. (Aircraft maker Boeing has the contract for that and will be paid $1.1 billion for it). That means border agents still uses old equipment that breaks down. Until all that new technology is up and running, there's no way to know whether it works or whether it's cost effective.

However, the GAO stated that apprehensions along the southwest border, except around San Diego, were on the decline in 2006 and 2007, before the fencing was started. In Tuscon, the rate of illegal aliens getting across the border declined by 16%. In Yuma, it dropped by 72%. That could be chalked up to people not trying to cross because there were fewer jobs to find in a slumping economy, but the Border Patrol stated that more help from the National Guard and less "catch and release" arrests also helped out.

So the underlying message here: Is a pricey fence really the best method for keeping illegal immigration under control?
<snip>
Growing up in California's Central Valley in the 1980s, I remember when there was no fence -- farmworkers came up for the growing seasons, did their work in the fields, got paid, then went back home to resume their lives with their families. When Border Patrol efforts were boosted and a "invisible fence" was established, they either had to stay or go. Because the jobs were here, they decided to stay -- and many had their families come up too, as there was no more easy going back and forth. That's been a suck on many states' social welfare programs. But when it comes to earning a living and feeding your kids, a wire fence is just a minor obstacle to get past -- literally.
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/18/the-most-expensive-fence-in-the-u-s/

More RW hysteria driving bad policy. The fence may give people a false sense of security. Bigger problems exist with drug violence crossing the border.

[marmar]

1. What a colossal waste of money........

Try fair trade, economic support and sane drug policies instead.

[madokie]

2. The sane thing to do is promote the purchasing of Mexican and south American

produced products so as to help to give them a future down there other than a need to come up here to earn enough for their families to live on.

[pampango]

5. A much better idea than building a wall to separate people. n/t

[Historic NY]

3. Even more when they steal it......

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32577571

[VOX]

4. The fence is an insane idea and a total waste of taxpayers' money...

It is *not* going to keep out or deter any determined individual. He/she will find a way.

In eastern France at the outbreak of WWII, the Maginot Line was a fixed fortification deemed impenetrable -- and it was supposed to keep German troops out. That worked out well. :sarcasm:

Building a fence on the U.S.-Mexico border is a similarly insane idea.

[TxRider]

6. Better analogy would be berlin wall

Without armed guys covering every foot of it people went right through.

We have about 2000 miles of border, it's not going to all be fenced.

The locals don't want it, it blocks access to water for wildlife and ranches.. It's a joke.

And yet in the face of all that I have friends who believe it could and should be done.