And San Diego/Tijuana is one area that really needs the wall. Back in the 80’s I used to see wetbacks running the fence, sprinting across the highways in into the ditches, and sneaking through the reeds and farm crops all the time. Not sure if its as bad today (post-PDJT) but I suspect its the same.
When I was young, I illegally crossed a few times. Rather than wait in line in San Ysidro, just went right through a giant gaping hole in the fence with groups of mexicans. I also took a diversion during a 4 wheel trip in Arizona. There was a list of rules a mile long, so we had to violate every one of them, one of which was not to cross the border. Well, we found tracks leading straight south leading to a well used road. While hanging out at the border several trucks full and of dozens of mexicans drove right up and crossed. We said f it, and drove to puerto penasco for the night. We returned on the same road the next day and continued our journey.
It's not the same after Rep. Rohrabacher pushed through the double fence with a road in-between for Border Patrol vehicles and flood lights. It goes from the ocean to past Otay Mesa. It cut CA crossings by over 90%. It's the reason that southeast Arizona became the focal point for crossings in the Southwest some years back. Why they want to start in San Diego is beyond me. They could extend it eastward in CA, but it's needed more in southeast Arizona and especially in Texas with all its border towns.
I know more than most about this issue having experienced these invaders going through my side gate back in the mid 1980's when living 3 miles from Tijuana. I've been a contributor to FAIR.org and CIS.org for years. I was also a Minuteman who worked with co-founder Jim Gilchrist and made the drive down to Tombstone to stand watch.
Those who say the mountains and deserts are not natural barriers and we need all 2000 miles of wall are just wrong. Look at a map of Arizona and you'll see that from Yuma to Tucson along I-8 has an impassable desert. It would take army type logistics to survive that wasteland. Even if the coyotes/illegals could, there are NO staging points along I-8 where the illegals could meld into local towns. There are only a few gas stops along the way.
Also, The Border Patrol I've talked to do not recommend a solid wall. They want something they can see through like the double fence in San Diego. BTW, it's made of a close-knitted mesh material that doesn't support hooks and has Mexico facing curving at the top with barbed wire. I hear it also now has ground sensors for tunneling. BP finds and destroys these tunnels all the time. San Diego is not the problem.