Electronic ‘Fencing’ Being Installed Along the U.S. Southern Border

Federal officials are about to give the go-ahead for construction of a “virtual fence” along the nation’s border with Mexico, SecurityInfoWatch.com reports. 

The electronic “fence” will be powered from towers with cameras, sensors and other electronic equipment. It’s aimed at detecting smugglers and illegal immigrants attempting to cross the border. The towers will be spaced miles apart.

The new border detection system builds on an earlier prototype for an electronic fence that didn’t make the grade. Electronic fencing of nearly all the southern border is estimated to cost $6.7 billion and could be completed by 2014 if the funds are available. The sensors supposedly are able to distinguish people from animals at the border. 

The electronic monitoring is meant to supplement pedestrian fencing and vehicle barriers that have been installed along the border. The Boeing Co. is the primary contractor. Plans for an electronic fence along the border with Canada aren’t yet fully developed.