Liberals have started pushing for a virtual wall, citing ecological and economic effects. They ignore the fact that the first one build in 2007 or so didn’t work.
The Invisible Wall Proposal: Why The First Failed, Why It Will Fail Again, and What Works Instead
https://libertyislandmag.com/2018/09/21/the-invisible-wall-proposal-why-the-first-failed-why-it-will-fail-again-and-what-works-instead/
We are currently rolling out several types/layers of “virtual Wall”, along with the real kind.
Arizona”s 370 mile Border is scheduled for complete coverage by the Integrated Fixed Towers Program (the open pylon loaded with. Sensors in the article you linked) by the end of this year. They are also getting Mobile Surveillance Systems, a variety of Unmanned Ground Sensors, Linear Detection Systems, and a bunch of Military support, like Predator drone patrols. Border Patrol argues that all three components - Infrastructure, Technology and Personnel, are needed to effectively control the Border.
The current plan is for about half of the Southern Border to get strong physical infrastructure (alarmed barrier with road) but for every mile to be covered by persistent surveillance. Many of the Technology Programs create a wide band of detection and tracking, deep into both the USA and Mexico. No barrier alone can stop everything. With ropes and ladders, people climb Mount Everest.
In some places, Border Patrol believes they can control the border without barrier, but not near areas where vehicles can approach within some distance of the Border (especially urban areas).