Posted on 07/07/2014 2:23:02 AM PDT by South40
No different from many areas throughout Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, San Diego County is on the front line of the illegal immigration fight. The difference is that experience and results make San Diego one of the most effectively secured border regions in the country.
This success is not a coincidence or due to luck. It’s because San Diego has in place the infrastructure and resources that create an enforceable border that actively discourages and prevents illegal foot and vehicle traffic. Often, San Diego is viewed as a bellwether for border security and federal officials — in particular, the Obama Administration — would be wise to take note of what’s been done locally.
One of San Diego’s greatest assets is the double-layered border fence that extends inland from the Pacific Ocean. Fencing and infrastructure alone are by no means enough to stop illegal crossings, but the presence of physical impediments at the border, when supported by manpower and technology, create barriers that make entry increasingly more difficult and sometimes impossible. The last remaining hole in San Diego’s defense is the ocean route. The Coast Guard does not have the technology or the manpower to protect against the ocean threat and the narco-terrorists are using the ocean more.
But on land, infrastructure is a force multiplier. Fewer agents are needed in fenced areas than unfenced sections of the border. With the addition of cameras and sensors, border agents are not only better protected, but also more effective.
Also worth noting is the humanitarian benefit that infrastructure delivers. The danger of crossing desert areas, where dehydration and exhaustion are serious risks, is minimized when there is no clear corridor for entry. The San Diego border fence has forced some migrants to attempt crossing over less inviting terrain, but within these areas a greater manpower presence is capable of covering larger spaces and responding more quickly.
In 2006, the Secure Fence Act was signed into law, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to build upward of 700 miles of double layered fencing along the U. S-Mexico border. While the Obama administration is quick to state that the targets have been met, only a small fraction — in fact, less than 40 miles — of the newly implemented infrastructure is double-layered. The single-layer pedestrian fencing and vehicle barriers that fill the remaining mileage might be better than nothing, but the opportunity to build on San Diego’s success continues to be missed in the absence of adding secondary fencing where necessary.
Either the mandates of the Secure Fence Act should be reinstated, which I have proposed, or the Obama administration should utilize existing authority to finish the job that the Bush Administration halfheartedly started. Either way, this is one initiative that, after almost 10 years since the Secure Fence Act was enacted, needs to be completed — the way it was intended.
Though even with the advantages delivered from enhanced security, new challenges are routinely presented, often through exploited legal forms of entry. This is something the San Diego region will continue to deal with despite having an enforceable border.
No different from many areas throughout Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, San Diego County is on the front line of the illegal immigration fight. The difference is that experience and results make San Diego one of the most effectively secured border regions in the country.
This success is not a coincidence or due to luck. It’s because San Diego has in place the infrastructure and resources that create an enforceable border that actively discourages and prevents illegal foot and vehicle traffic. Often, San Diego is viewed as a bellwether for border security and federal officials — in particular, the Obama Administration — would be wise to take note of what’s been done locally.
One of San Diego’s greatest assets is the double-layered border fence that extends inland from the Pacific Ocean. Fencing and infrastructure alone are by no means enough to stop illegal crossings, but the presence of physical impediments at the border, when supported by manpower and technology, create barriers that make entry increasingly more difficult and sometimes impossible. The last remaining hole in San Diego’s defense is the ocean route. The Coast Guard does not have the technology or the manpower to protect against the ocean threat and the narco-terrorists are using the ocean more.
But on land, infrastructure is a force multiplier. Fewer agents are needed in fenced areas than unfenced sections of the border. With the addition of cameras and sensors, border agents are not only better protected, but also more effective.
Also worth noting is the humanitarian benefit that infrastructure delivers. The danger of crossing desert areas, where dehydration and exhaustion are serious risks, is minimized when there is no clear corridor for entry. The San Diego border fence has forced some migrants to attempt crossing over less inviting terrain, but within these areas a greater manpower presence is capable of covering larger spaces and responding more quickly.
In 2006, the Secure Fence Act was signed into law, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to build upward of 700 miles of double layered fencing along the U. S-Mexico border. While the Obama administration is quick to state that the targets have been met, only a small fraction — in fact, less than 40 miles — of the newly implemented infrastructure is double-layered. The single-layer pedestrian fencing and vehicle barriers that fill the remaining mileage might be better than nothing, but the opportunity to build on San Diego’s success continues to be missed in the absence of adding secondary fencing where necessary.
Either the mandates of the Secure Fence Act should be reinstated, which I have proposed, or the Obama administration should utilize existing authority to finish the job that the Bush Administration halfheartedly started. Either way, this is one initiative that, after almost 10 years since the Secure Fence Act was enacted, needs to be completed — the way it was intended.
Though even with the advantages delivered from enhanced security, new challenges are routinely presented, often through exploited legal forms of entry. This is something the San Diego region will continue to deal with despite having an enforceable border.
For instance, one way that illegal immigrants are entering the country is through the process whereby anybody can claim “credible fear.” And right now, U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not keep track of who overstays on the basis credible fear is initially cited.
In fact, credible fear is the new buzzword that lawyers are spreading throughout Mexico and other countries. By law, migrants must be allowed entrance and await their day in court. Many, if not most just disappear and there is no way for CBP to find them later.
Now in San Diego County, it’s easier to present oneself at the Otay Mesa processing center than to sneak across the border. Go down to the border and take a look. The problem here is no longer a lack of infrastructure but a process that is basically a form of admittance into the U.S. for migrants as long as no criminal record shows up for that person. Unbelievably, CBP processes these admittances then cannot account for a migrant’s whereabouts or if they left the country on time.
Addressing security exposures starts at the border — and San Diego County has a great handle on things because of an infrastructure system, technology and personnel that work together so well. But the broader challenges with illegal immigration will continue to exist.
Only when there is consistent enforcement along the entire border will the federal government be in a position to collectively assess the vulnerabilities created by the existing immigration system. Until then, San Diego will continue doing its part, leading by example where it can, and exposing aspects of the immigration process that desperately need a fix.
Hunter, R-Alpine, represents the 50th Congressional District.
“Good o....... throw in the troll slur when confronted with truth.”
It’s TROLLING if you cannot answer my question. Again, WHY DOES THE CALIFORNIA FENCE WORK?
Otherwise please leave us alone with your Democrat talking points.
I’ve seen no evidence that fences off the main routes have any effect. I really have seen no evidence that the fences work other than to force entry to unmonitored points.
“I really have seen no evidence that the fences work other than to force entry to unmonitored points.”
So you’re agreeing with me that fences work where they’re built and therefore you were TROLLING - thank you for admitting it at least, but people, at least on this site look down upon that.
Second if you remove the incentive for illegal alien to come here they won't.
1.) Jail employers of illegals
2.) Jail anyone giving shelter to illegals
3.) Deny all government benefits to illegals and their families.
4.) Deport captured illegal aliens after one year hard labor.
5.) Sentence illegal aliens that commit violent felonies to immediate execution.
6.) Sentence American citizens that assault illegal aliens to immediate release.
Might I suggest a three parallel fences 15 or 20 feet between fences, with the middle fence at 100,000 volts and marked as such. Alternately, two parallel fences with a mine field in-between.
In 2006, the Secure Fence Act was signed into law, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to build upward of 700 miles of double layered fencing along the U. S-Mexico border
____________________________________
His Dad’s fence...
and all the money necessary was allocated at that time by the House Appropriations Committee..
It was never built...
Hell with a fence!
Razor wire. Punji stakes. Tiger traps. Moats. Machinegun pits. Claymores. Fougasse. Cheval-de-frise. Rodents of Unusual Size ...
Duncan (D.) Hunter bump.
“Then explain to US IDIOTS why the California fence is working when they’re not shooting them.”
When I was in the Mexican Baja in 2009 my host took me to the fence. He told me that at night smugglers would put up a knockdown structure on the Mexican side and lower ladders down the other side. They charged people to cross and the people picking them up on the other side charged them to move them into the city. Is the wall working? Probably more so than if it were not there. But anything that is not guarded with serious threat of force will be overcome. It’s not like people who put a fence around their property and then have no more crime problem. In your neighborhood there are easier properties to get onto and commit mischief. But if your property was the only desirable piece for somebody to trespass on, as America is in their neighborhood, then your fence would only keep out a select section of the penitential interlopers.
Oh, he also showed me where the US had found tunnels under the fence. We’re talking about tunnels with railroad tracks, air-conditioning and electric lights. So, yes, the fence does keep out a selection of people but not everybody.
BTW, research me before accusing me of trolling.
Sorry Duncan but it was built exactly as it was intended. The project was funded to fool the conservative wing of the party, it was defunded immediately after the election.
Anyone whit a smart phone can go to the border and film illegals crossing the border, so what, nothing happens to them except now they are getting free bus tickets to cities all across the USA. There is a plan, we don't seem to get it, because the result is unthinkable, never the less, the plan goes forward.
Ever wonder why all those high fenced forts we built in the Wild West disappeared?
"Today, Henry is assistant chief of the Border Patrol's San Diego sector. He says apprehensions here are down 95 percent, from 100,000 a year to 5,000 a year, largely because the single strand of cable marking the border was replaced by double — and in some places, triple — fencing."
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5323928
A fence would not be needed if we enforced the law period. We never had a fence before and we were not invaded, so what changed? Well for one Jimmy Carter was elected.
cut off the benefits, cut off the jobs and deport on contact
That, plus a wall will work
Day late, dollar short.
Massive deportation, starting now. Anything short of that is the end of the country.
“A fence would not be needed if we enforced the law period. We never had a fence before and we were not invaded, so what changed? Well for one Jimmy Carter was elected. “
Actually, I think there’s been a problem from Mexico for a long, long time. President Wilson deported rough 10 million to give jobs to returning WW1 vets. Ike planed on deporting 12 million in operation Wetback. But it stopped early because the hysterical women and crying babies were shown on a new fangled thing called TV. The public outcry stopped it. Nobody since has had the political will.
You’re right about Jimmy Carter. He gave us the Muriel Boat Lift, countless murders and a decade of ruinous crime. We can probably expect something similar from every Democratic president from now on.
As far as human smuggling, a tunnel is VERY INEFFICIENT, because it’s hard to explain how the recipient building (house) has hundreds of people exiting every day. People do catch on. That’s why they’re almost only used for drugs - way too much risk with people...and people can talk and tell the feds where the tunnel is located. So nice try.
As far as the wall is concerned, you seem to think (or at least say) that if it’s 90% effective, it’s WORTHLESS. Well, some of us disagree as we all saw the human smuggling move east once the fence was in place, and we also saw the suicide bombs STOP in Israel once they built their fence, even over the objections of your type that said it would never work.
So, maybe some Mexicans were pulling your leg about how easy it is to get over the fence in California, and you’re welcome to believe them if that’s what you want to do, but I’ll stick with the news accounts saying that it WORKED GREAT.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/us-mexico-border-wall-detours_n_3052950.html
And yes, with nothing to back up your claims but some story from Mexicans about how easy it is to jump the fence, you are trolling - sorry.
Republicans as well, it was a serious issue with GW, remember the Fence Bill he signed to prove he wasn't an amnesty president?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.