The most expensive fence in the U.S.
As my husband is training for the Border Patrol right now (the reason: steady job and good government benefits in a bad economy) and we'll be moving to West Texas at the end of the year, I took particular interest in this just-released report from the Government Accounting Office about the cost of border security. Its findings aren't just relevant to Border Patrol staff and their spouses, it should interest every taxpayer. 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.
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?
Regardless of your opinions about illegal aliens and immigration policy, you should give a thought to whether $6.5 billion to patch up fencing that will probably be ripped open again is the best way to go. With U.S. schools, transportation systems and job markets going down the tubes, couldn't that money be better spent on people living on this side of the border?
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.
President Obama has said he has to handle healthcare reform before he tackles immigration, but his Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, said this week that groundwork is already being laid out for an immigration reform bill. So this GAO report is being scrutinized carefully by the Obama Administration, and it will be interesting what Obama will say about the fence when he finally addresses immigration. Probably not "Tear down this wall," as he said earlier this year he will continue to fund its construction, 700 miles in total. But when it costs us $3.9 million per mile to build, and that money goes straight to Boeing and its subcontractors, it just makes you wonder whether that's a good investment, especially in a slumping economy -- which seems to be doing a better job in keeping illegal immigration down than any kind of fence.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-19-2009 @ 7:48AM
Steve B. said...
This is a great, well-written article. My intellect tells me that there has to be a better way. I'd rather spend my money on more man-power and keep our people employed, and less fence. Plus, that stupid fence prevents migration of many species of wildlife, yet a simple bolt cutter makes a quick hole in it, which lets illegals in, and costs big bucks to repair.
Good morning all!
Steve B.
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9-19-2009 @ 12:17PM
desertlady said...
Yes you have it right, the fence is no deturent at least the chainlink ones are not that helpfull. Sure wish I could afford one like that in my back yard to keep the neighbors pitbulls out. I think they need many more boarder guards too.
9-19-2009 @ 4:53PM
Barry B said...
Did the Great Wall of China work? NO. Did the Berlin Wall work? NO. Will the Border Wall work? Most likely NO. Does anyone ever think where does this money come from? You and me and your children and their children. Schools, healthcare, social service are all hurting, but BY GOD we will build a wall. That will no doubt to taken down in 10 years.
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9-21-2009 @ 12:38AM
Dave B said...
Did the Great Wall of China work? NO. Did the Berlin Wall work? NO.
Actually, they were both incredibly effective. The Mongols had a very difficult time breaching the Great Wall which is why the idea was expanded upon. Additionally, the Berlin Wall was effective in keeping those in East Germany out of West Berlin, though not in putting West Berlin in the hands of the East Germans which was the actual goal. The Berlin Wall fell because of a set of ideas which didn't work, while the Great Wall still stands today. Just try getting around it.
As for our own wall, I agree that a wire fence isn't the solution, but only because a pair of wire snips is too easy to come by. I figure we should build an actual wall (tall and deep), but put it a short ways into US territory. Because Mexico is unwilling to patrol the boarder, this would give us an opportunity to patrol both sides of the border.
The fact is there are a lot of people who go through the efforts to come into this country based on the laws we have. Some yokel shouldn't be allowed the same opportunities by breaking our laws and jumping a fence. I'm not anti-immigration, I'm anti law-breaking. I personally have 4 friends (one a close friend from Brazil, one from Indonesia and two from Europe) who are immigrants and did it legally.
9-21-2009 @ 1:32AM
roninkai said...
maginot line anyone?
9-21-2009 @ 5:14AM
Adam G said...
@Dave B. The Great Wall of China was incredibly effective? Really? That's what the Chinese thought until 1215AD when Gengis Khan slaughtered the entire population of Beijing.
9-19-2009 @ 3:33PM
Dave said...
The Gov. might as well electrify the fence. That poses its own problems but border guards cant be everywhere all the time. That would be like guarding Guantanomo bay in the movies. We do need Boeing to move its **s on the technology and hold up its end of their contract. they are notorious for milking contracts. I say give it some other Corp with a local presence that has something to lose if it doesnt work out.
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9-20-2009 @ 8:58PM
jzsteen said...
Wow, that sure is some fence!
RT
http://www.real-privacy.net.tc
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9-20-2009 @ 11:07PM
Hsieh Li said...
"Good fences make good neighbors" -- Robert Frost
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9-21-2009 @ 10:06AM
fallstonslowlife said...
Wow that is one expensive fence. I wonder how Boeing got that contract maybe from the Bush era?
Ben @ http://giftcardrescue.com
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9-21-2009 @ 11:21AM
jill said...
That's one costly fence!
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9-21-2009 @ 9:43PM
Nick said...
I'm thinking a better option to a fence would include elephants with laser-cannons...
Nick
http://www.wastedcarbon.com
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9-23-2009 @ 3:02AM
Northa said...
6.5 billion is a lot of money, but I think it's a fraction of what illegal immigration costs the US (with things like the social programs you mention). That being said, the US really should be working on building up Mexico, it's economy and it's security. The only way to solve illegal immigration is to remove the incentive.
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9-23-2009 @ 11:22AM
Mike. C said...
Let me get this straight. You think we should pour money into Mexico, when there are families in our community that are starving, a million plus are jobless, and fanatical Jihadist threaten our very way of life. Think about it.
9-26-2009 @ 3:56PM
Jim said...
The reasons Mexicans are coming to the United States is because there is opportunity here. The US has better jobs, social services, and a better standard of living than Mexico. Otherwise, there would not be an immigration problem. Why would a person leave their home to go to a strange land where they didn't speak the language unless they had something to gain?
So here's an idea. Let's take that 6.5 billion and spend it on the Mexican economy. Hire a bunch of business experts to work with their business experts. Or tell a new crop of MBA students, if you volunteer to intern in Mexico building their economy, then your education is free! In a few years, Mexico may be trying to keep all of those pesky Americans out of their country!
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10-07-2009 @ 10:22PM
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10-13-2009 @ 3:52AM
tagavorhakob2002 said...
This wall will not work, has not been working.... and will cost enormous amounts of money. Seriously, this is just ridiculous. People we need to save money every way we can. Check this out, the electronic cigarette saves you thousands of dollars a year on smoking costs.. NOw that is innovative... not some stupid FENCE that thousands of people get over every moth.
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11-07-2009 @ 1:00PM
Marlin said...
The easiest way to take care of this is to start raiding companies that hire them. Fine the companies 10 k for the first offence, 250,000 for the second offence, and pull their business license the final time.
This is about destroying the middle class, and it is working beautifully for the power elite. I am also am immigrant to this country, but I done it legaly and I do not care to see a full economic collapse of a country I tried so hard to make my own.
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12-06-2009 @ 11:31AM
brent said...
That's about the size of annual sales for the fence industry as a whole.
http://www.profenceworks.com
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