What Kind of Fence Can Close the Border?

[kroz]

Too expensive, I'd get a civilian volunteer corps that would act as spotters and call in squads of border patrol agent to apprehend them once they cross, these observers would be armed and deputized by local sheriffs as well in the event of "tresspassing" on private property for which they could detain.

Ah-so... minutemen!

We ran into a few of those in our travels.  Retired folks who are willing to volunteer their time.

The set up lawn chairs along the border and watch all night!   Good folks!

[Dori]

Too expensive, I'd get a civilian volunteer corps that would act as spotters and call in squads of border patrol agent to apprehend them once they cross, these observers would be armed and deputized by local sheriffs as well in the event of "tresspassing" on private property for which they could detain.

It's not too expensive.  We already have 21,000 agents.  It's a matter of how they are used.

[carlb]

The real expense is subsidizingillions of illegals.

[Possum]

Like a lock, it will only keep a honest person honest.     They have been tunneling under ground for years.  A fence will only slow them down, not stop them.

As long as there is a reward for gaining access to this country, there will be a way to get here. In other words, it time to start discussions on penalties for those who hire illegal's.  And cut out the freebies.

[redbeard]

Like a lock, it will only keep a honest person honest.     They have been tunneling under ground for years.  A fence will only slow them down, not stop them.

Lets see! Army, navy, marines and air force! Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California! I say give each branch a state move basic training and "C" schools to their respected state to teach our servicemen how to detect and counter infiltration and insurgency! Something they deal with more and more on overseas deployment! That would be a Win-Win! Increase our troops readiness while controlling the boarders!

[Billy's bayonet]

It's not too expensive.  We already have 21,000 agents.  It's a matter of how they are used.

It's a numbers game....the Illegals or rather those cartels who organize such human trafficking know the numbers are on their side. Remember a goodly portion of any organized force are assigned to ADministrative duties.  So how many of those 21,000 agents are behind a desk?

A civilian volunteer force could handle the admin duties and other task that would free up more agents besides augmenting "Eyes and ears" on the border.

[redbeard]

It's a numbers game....the Illegals or rather those cartels who organize such human trafficking know the numbers are on their side. Remember a goodly portion of any organized force are assigned to ADministrative duties.  So how many of those 21,000 agents are behind a desk?

A civilian volunteer force could handle the admin duties and other task that would free up more agents besides augmenting "Eyes and ears" on the border.

Give the military the border and free up the agents to control the crossing points!

[Billy's bayonet]

Give the military the border and free up the agents to control the crossing points!

Better yet

Let the military have the entire border (North and south) and use the agents to root out the 15 million or so already in the COuntry illegally.

[Dori]

Better yet

Let the military have the entire border (North and south) and use the agents to root out the 15 million or so already in the COuntry illegally.

Let the military take on Northern Mexico where the worst of the drug cartels are operating. 

As to 15 million, the government has been using the 11 million since 911.  That was 15 years ago.  I'll bet it's more like 30 million plus.  Not to mention all the kids who have been born here the last 15 years.

[red_dirt]

It's not too expensive.  We already have 21,000 agents.  It's a matter of how they are used.

That is correct. The Border Patrol is one of the most highly trained and professional law enforcement agencies we have. But, we cannot order them to stand down, as Obama has, and expect any different results from what we now have.
Laredo Border Patrol spokesman Hector Garcia is a great resource for us. he has been outspoken for years, yet somehow has manged to escape the Clinton/Obama wrath. Officer Garcia reports that modern efficient electronic and video surveillance to replace the old stuff they now work with would be a step in the right direction. But Congress won't budge. Their benefits and retirement are more important to Congress.

Bottom line, once Obama is ousted, don't expect any big change.

[kroz]

The Texas valley and Arizona border are full of retired "snowbirds" for six months every year.  Many of them volunteer with the Minutemen and stay up all night along the border with their walkie talkies and inform the authorities when they spot an illegal crossing the border.  Many of these old geezers are retired military and consider it an honor and obligation to continue to defend their country in this way.

But this force of people is way under utilized.  They could and WOULD be a much more useful group.

[red_dirt]

A little bit like Rumsfeld's army scavenging desert junk yards for metal it could weld on to the Humvees, to protect from IUE, roadside bombs. The similarity -- bring your own walkie talkie. Whereas that legion of volunteers is of no doubt great benefit to America and, in a round about way, even a protection for many of those illegal crossers, the last thing this Congress would do would be to provide some support. You see, these are John McCain's "whacky birds."  Congress --- Yuk!

[daidalos]

No wall or fence can keep anything or anyone out for long....I personally think it is symbolic.

Here's something to think about.

The greatest "fence" ever built...the great wall of China is 3,500 miles long is about 40 feet across and has watchtowers ever mile or so.

It failed to keep the invading hordes of MAnchu's out of China....because in the end the Chinese general in charge of one section of the wall BETRAYED THE EMPEROR and allowed the Manchu army through....they ruled china for more than two hundred years.

Supposedly the enemy commander who led his forces thru made the comment.

Walls are only as good as the men who man them....profound and disturbingly apropo for todays situation on the southern border.

The Obamao admin has betrayed the American people by allowing and continuing to allow hordes of illegals....many as hostile as the Barbarian hordes who rampaged across China's great wall.

building a wall is stupid when we have sanctuary cities.

Walls do work. If built properly that is. As East Berliners, or the Mongols about that.

Yet again, building walls in history, have proven to be effective. But watch out, here's modern man, we can send someone to the moon, but nope can't build a wall. 

[Possum]

 Immigrants are coming across because there are incentives to do so. Take away the incentives and we will not need to spend money on a damn wall that won't work. Take away the welfare for illegals and go after the people and corporations who hire illegals and we will be well on our way to solving this problem. Then set up a guest work program and follow the rules and go after the rule breakers.

[tac]

Immigrants are coming across because there are incentives to do so. Take away the incentives and we will not need to spend money on a damn wall that won't work. Take away the welfare for illegals and go after the people and corporations who hire illegals and we will be well on our way to solving this problem. Then set up a guest work program and follow the rules and go after the rule breakers.

All excellent suggestions, however, our spineless politicians care more about votes than protecting the country and American citizens. While your suggestions are excellent, they'll never be implemented.