Is The Costly Border Fence Worth It?

U.S.-Mexico Fence Is Catching Fewer Illegal Immigrants, But Costing More

(CBS)  It had Americans clamoring for a border fence: Mexican nationals storming the border near San Diego, day and night. That was the early 1990s.

Today, on that border is double fencing, stadium lighting, surveillance cameras and motion detectors. It's the most heavily fortified five miles of the border - all monitored from a command center near San Diego, CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports.

"Over the years the San Diego sector has been able to incrementally gain operational control of this area," said Michael Fisher, the San Diego sector's chief patrol agent.

Proof? The number of people caught crossing illegally has dropped dramatically from 600,000 a year in the early '90s to just 153,000 last year.

Fewer apprehensions means fewer people sneaking across, says the Border Patrol.

But not even all of the fencing can fully shut down the illegal flow.

There are two fences, lights, cameras ... and a lot of action.

"A lot of action, absolutely," Fisher said.

For every action there's an opposite reaction. Put up a fence and "they can be up and over, in some cases in less than a minute," Fisher said.

It's frustrating and expensive. Only 670 miles of the 2,000-mile border are to get fencing and that's behind schedule. The price tag: $1.2 billion, says the Border Patrol. That's up to $3 million per mile.

But factor in life-time maintenance and congressional researchers say the price could top $50 billion.

Today, almost every mile a different fence - short, tall, mesh, bars - intruders defeat every one. They even use car carriers to drive over.

If not over, under: 21 tunnels have been discovered under the border since 2000. There are brazen ways to drive through. One man came sewn into a van's seat.

So, it sounds like no matter what you do, you're finding a way around it.

"Yes, they are - or they're trying to," Fisher said.

And that's where there is a fence. A state away, near third-generation cattleman Richard Hodges's ranch south of Tucson, Ariz., there are miles and miles of open spaces along the U.S.-Mexico border. Only rusty barbed-wire divides the two countries.

"But that is no deterrent for anybody to come across," Hodges said.

The government promises a virtual fence of sensors and cameras for areas like this, but with that still on the horizon, those controversial border-watchers, the Minutemen, are building a $650,000 real fence along Hodges' mile of border to keep illegal crossers out.

"But won't they just move on down the road to the next property?" Whitaker asked.

"They will, they will," Hodges said. "It's just not going to stop as long as there's a market for illegals."

Whitaker met a coyote, a small-time people smuggler, across the border in Tijuana. He asked CBS News to conceal his identity. He boasts that he gets 40 people a week into the U.S. - most through the fortified zone near San Diego - at up to $3,500 a person.

He said, through a translation, "You can build three or four fences along the border, but people will continue to cross because of the magnet of work."

Most Americans think putting up a fence is going to stop the illegal flow. But is it?

"No, not in and of itself," Fisher said.

But Fisher says a smart mix of fencing, technology and manpower can do for the entire border what it's done in San Diego.

"What we've done is we've increased the probability of apprehension," he said.

The question is, will a nation demanding total control of its borders be satisfied with less.

[jt_lancer]

Is the fence to keep foreigners out? Or to keep Americans in?

Note that the federal government used emminent domain to confiscate about 1/3 of the property from its rightful owners in order to build the fence.

Stealing land from Americans in order to ''protect'' Americans from foreigners?

[bhappy2-2]

You better believe it''s worth it. The money we save on ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS having ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADER CHILDREN would pay for the fence in just a little while. AND we would be able to get rid of the ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADER PARASITES at the same time. Lets build the fence, deport the ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS and their ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADER CHILDREN. BEFORE we become North Mexico.

[caldwellptr]

I think the border fence is not worth the price, not just in dollars in who we are as Americans. There must be another solution: better laws regarding guest workers, better patrols using cameras and drone planes? How long before the world calls this the American Berlin Wall? Isn''t it ironic that the Wall was torn down during the Bush Sr. Presidency, only to be relocated to our border during the Bush Jr. Presidency. All of this is saddening.

If we wall off the rest of the world from ourselves, will the rest of the world leave us behind?

[bhappy2-2]

There must be another solution: better laws regarding guest workers, better patrols using cameras and drone planes? Posted by caldwellptr

How about ARMED GUARDS with SHOOT-TO-KILL orders? That should work!

[caldwellptr]

"How about ARMED GUARDS with SHOOT-TO-KILL orders? That should work!
Posted by bhappy2-2 at 07:54 PM : Apr 08, 2008"

Are you former Soviet?

[lorinkundert]

Guns and infrared aiming solutions would be most effective in dealing with an invasion.

[lorinkundert]

caldwellptr

We have every right to protect our borders as every other Country does, including Mexico who has shot illegals.

[idahomom2]

THE FENCE WORKS WHEN BUILT PROPERLY AND PATROLLED! IT CUT CRIME AND SMUGGLING IN SAN DIEGO!

We have 9 guest worker programs.....but you have to beable to pass the health screening, the criminal screening and your employer that requests you has to pay you a privaling wage!

The problem is the employers who break federal laws by hiring them, the family and landlords who break federal laws by helping them live here illegally and pro open borders ethnocentric groups like LA RAZA, MALDEF AND LULAC that play the race card everytime anyone even suggests telling the truth about the negative impact of illegal aliens!

WE NEED LEADERS WITH THE GUTS TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR AMERICA AND AMERICANS NO MATTER WHAT IS SAID BY THE CRITICS!!

We want our country back, our language back, our culture respected and our laws ENFORCED!

[bgwinnett]

Is The Costly Border Fence Worth It?

**** Me hell yeah!.Just raid Home Depot if theres no money.

[fire3621]

Cost of fence or cost of services to illegals? I''ll take the fence in a heart beat! We need to get tough on employers and that includes you who use them to mow your lawn because you are to lazy to do it yourself! IF it''s that important to you, don''t support them, business who use them, etc. Support America! Not ILLEGALS!

[randynason]

The fence should be put around the Bush compound in Kennebunkport, Maine and designated a garbage dump. I''m from Maine and I apoloigize that the Bush''s have anything to do with the state or the country, for that matter.

[sharncedar]

The fence is the worst of both worlds. the fence is not to keep the conquistadors illegitmate offspring out of the US, its too late for that, its to KEEP US OUT OF MEXICO. Think about it, the corporations love to devide and conquer. If we were simply to annex Mexico at this point, or form a union with them, it can''t be any worse for us, there will still be some 50 million Mexicans all over America, at least the 300 million Americans can be all over Mexico. The fence and the border keep US OUT, our opportunities say to buy a nice piece of beachfront property, or a ranch and retire.

Mexico is only bad because of the overpopulation and the corruption, if Americans went there en masse we would clean up the corruption and we already have the overpopulation here anyway.

The fence is a BIG RIP OFF, designed to protect the Mexicans from America, just like all our trade barriers its one way the wrong way.

[sharncedar]

I want my ranch, I want my beachfront property, I want my hot Mexican girls .... they already have California fine I just want my piece of Mexico ...

If it were safe for gringos I''d be heading south right now, i''ll even learn Spanish if it helps get me in good with the local females. Think of the life for gringos down there - a piece of land, a ranch, good food, a vibrant latin culture. Mexico could be a paradise for gringos, we need not a fence but a fair deal, a two-way street where we get to move across the border freely both ways without danger.

[cathie483]

Put our military at the border, with order to shoot the invaders, that wood be cheaper than a fence. Illegal aliens kill Americans everyday, turnabout is fair to me.

[mscientist]

If you want to discourage the neighbor kids from swimming in your pool, you can put a fence around it.

If you want to absolutely prevent it, drain the pool.

The concept under the law is called "attractive nuisance" and it holds owners responsible for creating an environment that promotes criminal activity to those of lesser character or understanding.

We need to apply this concept to solve the foreign criminals problem. Drain the jobs and benefits pool, and no fence will be needed. I don''t know why this seems to be too complex for some nitwits to get.

BTW. You should notice that I did not call these people "Mexicans", or "Immigrants", "undocumented" or otherwise. Their behavior is the only characterization that appropriately applies, so kindly keep your sermons to yourself.

[d12fall4]

I say we just trow a nuke in every country since we are so good in finding the bad in every body except us... heck why settle for the USA when we can have the entire world, we need nobody but our self''s right???

[blackwater66-2009]

Keep building it until its done !!

[cpaide]

"The price tag: $1.2 billion, says the Border Patrol. That''s up to $3 million per mile. But factor in life-time maintenance and congressional researchers say the price could top $50 billion."

Well, that''s worth it! The lifetime cost per mexican is what? $1 million or so. that''s $20 TRILLION saved.

[mscientist]

"I say we just trow a nuke in every country since we are so good in finding the bad in every body except us..."

Does this mean you CAN''T see the bad in anyone but us? Do you really live in such a black and white world?

Here''s a helpful hint. Applying for citizenship and waiting your turn = GOOD. Slithering across the border uninvited = BAD. Any questions?

The definition of good character is the ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong, and to choose right for one''s own behavior and to expect it in others.

[mattcbsmatt]

All Mexican presidents promote and advertise the illegal activity of illegal immigration and then Amnesty?
I still think or know that ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION is ILLEGAL.
There is a hint in the phrase illegal immigration. : )
The tale of righteousness is long
Usual pro illegal immigration from Mexico do yous Accept Mexican money or illegal drug money
Usual pro illegal immigration from Mexico story : )
Why is this?
How much did CBS accept for this story

[bhappy2-2]

Are you former Soviet?

Posted by caldwellptr

No. Are you ever American? I didn''t think so!

[sharncedar]

"If you want to discourage the neighbor kids from swimming in your pool, you can put a fence around it.

If you want to absolutely prevent it, drain the pool."

And if you want to have a vibrant, lively community then let them swim in your pool and you go swim in theirs.

What happened to this country? Where is your spirit? how do you think we got Texas, a lot of Amercans just kept immigrating there, they had the nerve and the spirit and Mexico with its lack of real immigration is really a dying culture. we have Jamaicans, mon, they do not. We have hybrids like Tiger Woods and Obama, they do not.

Rather than cowering behind a wall, get your courage up and move south. Start interacting with Hispanics, teaching them our values. What, do you think our values are so weak that they will prefer theirs? Jefferson will prevail over Cortez in any argument.

This is a great opportunity to expand america beyond our borders, and it starts when you teach every illegal you meet about the greatness and the pure joy of this land, rather than acting like a selfish coward.

It''s too late to send them home (have you been to California lately?) let''s at least use these illegals to change the countries they come from. By teaching, you are spreading America and making it greater than it ever was. Don''t teach hate, that''s not us, don''t teach fear, what real american is not afraid, teach our boundless enthusiasm, our exhuberance, and expectations that good things will happen.

[wango2007-2009]

Yes, the fence is MORE than worth it!

It is an investment in the rule of law (illegal immigration must stop). Legal immigration must continue.

It is an investment helping to keep costs of education and health care down in the future. Fewer illegal uneducated poverty-stricken Mexicans to pay for, the better for U.S. citizens.

It is an investsment in America. We might be a "mixing bowl" (a good thing), but we are being invaded by people who refuse to obey our laws or learn our language (a bad thing).

Build the wall. Build it now. Built it fast. Stop the invaders. Let their home country care for them.

[d12fall4]

Posted by SharnCedar at 09:04 PM : Apr 08, 2008
+ report abuse


well put... people fear what they dont know or understand and FYI not all bad people are hispanics or mexicans, there is bad of our self aswell.

[d12fall4]

It is an investsment in America. We might be a "mixing bowl" (a good thing), but we are being invaded by people who refuse to obey our laws or learn our language (a bad thing).


agree...

[sgtrds]

"Is The Costly Border Fence Worth It?"

No.

[d12fall4]

"I say we just trow a nuke in every country since we are so good in finding the bad in every body except us..."

Does this mean you CAN''''T see the bad in anyone but us? Do you really live in such a black and white world?

Here''''s a helpful hint. Applying for citizenship and waiting your turn = GOOD. Slithering across the border uninvited = BAD. Any questions?

The definition of good character is the ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong, and to choose right for one''''s own behavior and to expect it in others.


I see the bad in them but you are going overboard. I agree they should all enter thru the front door (meaning legally) but sir, you and many are mking it seem like everything there is wrong with america is their fault, (and you and me and millions others that seem to be intelligent -thinking humans) ARE LETTING THE REAL PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING THIS COUNTRY WORST EVERY DAY GO FREE... "OUR POLITICIANS"...

none the less i agree with you, the law is the law and should be respected...

[sgtrds]

Every wave of immigration that has come to America has been accused of being criminal, sub-human in some way and refusing to learn the language and every last time they accusers were wrong. yes every wave had it''s criminal element, the Irish gangs, the Mafia, etc., but in the end they''ve all assimilated with few exceptions and are considered good Americans. And yes, they all learned the language. The current wave of Hispanics will follow that same course.

[timdgrim]

They''ll just dig under it!! Or they''ll all be here before it gets built. Pass the salsa.

[swwils]

The fence is a necessity that most seem to not realize.I have no problem with the Mexican people coming over here,and trying to take care of their families.They just need to do it legally so we can monitor who is here.The dopers and the ones driving without a license should be snatched up and sent right back.

[timdgrim]

After all, we have plenty of dopers and people driving without licenses already!

[sgtrds]

They''''ll just dig under it!! Or they''''ll all be here before it gets built. Pass the salsa.

Posted by timdgrim at 09:19 PM : Apr 08, 2008

The best thing about the Hispanic migration here is the FOOD!!! Real Mexican food and no, for the uninformed Taco Bell is NOT Mexican food! That''s like think Chef Boyrdee canned spaghetti is Italian food. I''m going to Acapulco next week and am going to eat my way back North!

[swwils]

Most of the illegals are just trying to survive like most people I know.The trouble makers and gang bangers need to be put in jail then deported.This country was founded on immigration,but legally.They knew who was coming off the boats.I mean look at what we did in 80-81,we allowed all those Cuban,and Haitian refugees into our harbors in Fla.we let most of all them stay!

[swwils]

To aheadace a lot of companies have been shut down or fined,but the ACLU has filed lawsuits against the cities doing this and the government is not backing the cities!

[timdgrim]

SgtRDS:

Yeah! The small Mexican restaurants in small West Texas and New Mexico towns are the best. Chains like On the Border s**k.. I finally figured out what happened to that little chihuahua dog that was in the commercials for Taco Bell...they used him by mistake in a gordita!

[wango2007-2009]

Posted by SgtRDS
Every wave of immigration that has come to America has been accused of being criminal, sub-human in some way and refusing to learn the language and every last time they accusers were wrong.

------------

This is just propaganda and not true. If it were, we''d all be speaking Italian (for example) because they came in such great numbers at the turn of the last century.

The difference is that other waves came legally. The Italians, and many other groups, came through Ellis Island, for example.

These previous immigrants were overwhelmingly respectful of our laws and desired to learn English.

The Mexicans are not like this at all. 15-20 million illegals ignore American law and most expect ATM machines, store signs, etc to be in Spanish. They are refusing to assimilate the way past groups did when they came here.

Illegals and their supporters claim the Mexicans are just like goups in the past. It''s a lie. They are invaders. They have no right to citizenship, ever.

If 15-20 million poor, uneducated Chinese or Russians had come illegally under the fence in the last decade we would have repelled them. No difference with Mexicans.

[sgtrds]

wango2007

Personally I don''t care that they snuck across the border. That said they''re only just starting to assimilate. For the first couple of generation the Italians were here the signs in their neighborhoods were all in Italian. The same with the Chinese and if you go down to Orange County here in CA you can drive street after street and see nothing by Vietnamese signs. The point is that groups like the Italians DID assimilate, as did the Germans and the Dutch, etc. The Mexicans will to, but just like the rest they''ll also leave there mark, their flavor to America.

[excoachken]

This fence is only "worth it" if the contract is given to a Bush crony and he gets lots of "off shore" money in return. "Worth it" for him, which is the only person he has ever been concerned about.

[leahmic]

So a small time people smuggler can smuggle 40 people per week at up to $3500 per person. That amounts to $140,000/week. Who calls $140,000/week small time? My God!

[sgtrds]

SgtRDS:

Yeah! The small Mexican restaurants in small West Texas and New Mexico towns are the best. Chains like On the Border s**k.. I finally figured out what happened to that little chihuahua dog that was in the commercials for Taco Bell...they used him by mistake in a gordita!

Posted by timdgrim at 09:31 PM : Apr 08, 2008

LOL!!! there is a place down in Zihuatanejo Mexico that serves Fish Tacos with fish that was just caught that morning. MMMMmmmmmmmmm!!!!

[sgtrds]

SgtRDS:

Yeah! The small Mexican restaurants in small West Texas and New Mexico towns are the best. Chains like On the Border s**k.. I finally figured out what happened to that little chihuahua dog that was in the commercials for Taco Bell...they used him by mistake in a gordita!

Posted by timdgrim at 09:31 PM : Apr 08, 2008

LOL!!! there is a place down in Zihuatanejo Mexico that serves Fish Tacos with fish that was just caught that morning. MMMMmmmmmmmmm!!!!

[wango2007-2009]

Posted by Swwils
Most of the illegals are just trying to survive like most people I know.

------------------------

No problem. Let them survive in their own country.

The U.S. has nor responibilty to take the poor, educated people of a corrupt contry like Mexico. They should stay home and start a revolution there and bring about a society where they can survive.

We Americans are fools for allowing this situation to happen. We need to build the wall long and high, then deport the Mexicans who have invaded our country.

After that, we need to use our present laws to allow people from all over the world to come here, not just Mexicans... Legal immigrants who speak English and have skills can help build a stronger America.

[sgtrds]

And the tequila and cerveza!!!!

[swwils]

The fence is for sure worth it,just to keep out the bad guys.The gangs,the dope,and the terrorist.They need to speed up the green card process because I have to admit,I know a lot of south Americans over here and they work their tails off cheap.My cousin has many working for him,and they can put those stick framed houses up quick,and not to many Americans want to do it.He pays good but can''t keep people except illegals working.I have seen it with my own eyes.He hires Americans they work a week(not all) but many get a check and you never see them again.Either lazy or dopers what I figure.

[tucano2]

The alternatives to keeping the criminals out of our country are to shoot them dead right at the border or interior regions, or, give up on having the USA as a nation. any country that cannot, or simply will not, defend itself and its borders is no country at all.

[timdgrim]

SgtRDS:
Yeah and there''s this Donkey Show in Juarez....sorry,
favorite beer from Mexico...PACIFICO...

[macusweil]

Is The Costly Border Fence Worth It?

In a word: no

Leave it open so all those who crossed illegally can get back out after we start enforcing our existing immigration and labor laws.

When more than a few CEOs and millionaire business owners have been locked up in jail the illegal jobs will dry up and all the illegals here now will head for home.

They won''t be able to take away anymore American jobs and companies here will have to pay real wages.

Sure beat building a silly useless fence to nowhere unless you''re the government fence contractor.

[sgtrds]

SgtRDS:
Yeah and there''''s this Donkey Show in Juarez....sorry,
favorite beer from Mexico...PACIFICO...

Posted by timdgrim at 09:47 PM : Apr 08, 2008

Must be done by the sister of the one in TJ. Favorite Mexican beer Dos Equis (Dos XX)

[tucano2]

Do keep in mind Illegal Aliens invading us come from some 200 countries, not "just" Mexico. Iraquis, Iranians, Jordanians, Syrians, Palestinians, Israelis, Afghanis, Turks, and others simply pay $25,000 to a Mexican coyote to get into the USA, usually across the Arizona border near Yuma, and from there they spread out across the USA into their sleeper cells, maybe next door to you, planning the next little or big hit, who knows just when. Enough of these crappy sob-stories; this country, the USA, is under attack. Mayor Villar of Los Angeles refuses to recind forever the onerous "special order 40" and as a result he is responsible for the murder of a 17 year old athletic star committed by an Illegal Alien let out of L.A.''s jail just the day before. Ther perp was in Mayor Villaregosa''s custoday for 4 months, and he refused to allow law enforcement to check on the criminal''s immingation status, let the sob free after holding him on a gun charge for 4 months, never checked his status. Turns out the perp is a well-known to LAPD illegal alien gang-banger. Outrageous!

[timdgrim]

SgtRDS:
Later...So long from Texas...Have a good trip...