'Virtual Fence' Along Border To Be Delayed

Washington Post ^ | February 28, 2008 | Spencer S. Hsu

[kingattax]

The Bush administration has scaled back plans to quickly build a "virtual fence" along the U.S.-Mexico border, delaying completion of the first phase of the project by at least three years and shifting away from a network of tower-mounted sensors and surveillance gear, federal officials said yesterday.

Technical problems discovered in a 28-mile pilot project south of Tucson prompted the change in plans, Department of Homeland Security officials and congressional auditors told a House subcommittee.

Though the department took over that initial stretch Friday from Boeing, authorities confirmed that Project 28, the initial deployment of the Secure Border Initiative network, did not work as planned or meet the needs of the U.S. Border Patrol.

The announcement marked a major setback for what President Bush in May 2006 called "the most technologically advanced border security initiative in American history." The virtual fence was to be a key component of his proposed overhaul of U.S. immigration policies, which died last year in the Senate.

Investigators for the Government Accountability Office had earlier warned that the effort was beset by both expected and unplanned difficulties. But yesterday, they disclosed new troubles that will require a redesign and said the first phase will not be completed until near the end of the next president's first term.

[kingattax]

.....the first phase will not be completed until near the end of the next president's first term.

the feds think we are really stupid and can't figure out that the govt has NO intention of ever securing the borders. give us a freakin break already

[BJungNan]

Virtual Smertual...Give me the old fashioned double fence with a no-mans land in the middle.

How stupid do they think we are.

[MarkT]

WTF, bring back about 30,000 of the troops we have in S. Korea and have them man the borders - north and south. This ain’t ‘virtual’ rocket science.

[ARE SOLE]

The Bush administration has scaled back plans to quickly build a "virtual fence" along the U.S.-Mexico border, delaying completion of the first phase of the project by at least three years and shifting away from a network of tower-mounted sensors and surveillance gear,

The Bush administration just gave us the finger and the terrorists and illegal aliens a green light.

Damn Republicans.

[BJungNan]

That was a good idea too!
(Mine was the other one)

[Moonman62]

Virtual fence, virtual enforcement, which will go well with our virtual votes, and virtual campaign contributions.

[endthematrix]

Our 'Virtual Fence' is experiencing technical difficulties. Illegal aliens, please stand by. (Pretty please)

[Azzurri]

Unbelievable incompetence. Just build a physical wall and be done with it. This is the government that’s supposed to run “universal health care” too? George Bush dropped the ball on a generation of Republican losses based on his failed immigration policy alone.

[NurdlyPeon]

the feds think we are really stupid and can't figure out that the govt has NO intention of ever securing the borders. give us a freakin break already

Yup, I think that just about covers it.

[Truth29]

"Unbelievable incompetence. Just build a physical wall and be done with it. This is the government that?s supposed to run ?universal health care? too? George Bush dropped the ball on a generation of Republican losses based on his failed immigration policy alone."

You are too kind. This looks like an all too competent rope a dope delaying tactic. Bush doesn't want the fence, Chertoff is his agent and apologist. If lots of taxpayer dollars get shoveled to contractors in this "failed" effort, so much the better. sarc/

[JDoutrider]

Words fail me...

[PogySailor]

...the first phase will not be completed until near the end of the next president's first term.

More likely canceled the first day of the next presidents term.

[Joe Boucher]

Virtual fence to go along with virtual reality,
What a crock of b.s.
Put up the damn wall, put the national guard there to guard it and get real.

[nyyankeefan]

‘Virtual Fence’ Along Border To Be Delayed.....

by the virtual US POTUS...jorge bush and his illegal loving administration.....

now more can come in and do the illegal killing car wrecks and go to flight schools!!!!!

what a compassionate conservative plan!!!

[School of Rational Thought]

This is a “virtual project” that is only materializes for speeches and press releases.

[org.whodat]

did not work as planned or meet the needs of the U.S. Border Patrol.

Ok Jorge, when does the tax payers get their money back from this boondoggle.

[Sender]

Gaaaaaaahhh!

But on a more positive note, the deployment of water coolers, tax ID kiosks and bus depots continues on schedule.

[rockinqsranch]

If there was real intent to comply with the responsibility to control our border, then an alternative would be put in place interim. There isn’t any interim alternative proposed that I see, therefore this is lip service once again.

We should all demand a physical fence be built. We need organize once again and pound our point home as we did last year regarding the Shamnesty Bill. Get attention to the fact THE PEOPLE WANT PROTECTION from the illegals rampant abuse of our Nation, and our resources.

[Guenevere]

bttt

[Guenevere]

ping