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I don’t understand why they would build the fence so close the the Mexican border (the lady filming the video walks right up to it and she says she is in Mexico).

I thought there was supposed to be a buffer zone of US territory so that US border patrol could patrol and maintain BOTH sides of the fence. Overhead drones could spot trespassers before they even reached the fence - and if they were transporting tools or equipment - they could be intercepted and arrested for trespassing and willful distruction

If the fence is right on the border, as the lady says, what is to stop a ladder truck or a bucket truck from driving right up to the fence, equipped with rope ladders and such, and easily helping people over the top? Such equipment is used by tree trimmers, roofers, and gutter cleaning services, and would not seem at all out of place on that road. Tunneling would also be a snap with such immediate access to the fence. Excavation equipment could be driven right up to the fence without raising eyebrows, and the tunnel would only need to be a few yards long.

Am I missing something? Is there perhaps a second fence further into US territory?

The barrier in the video is what they call the primary barrier in San Diego/Tijuana - it is the first barrier that an illegal crosser would encounter. It is built just a few feet on the American side of the actual border.

About 150 feet behind the primary barrier is the secondary barrier. In between the two barriers, is the Border Patrol’s enforcement zone - an exclusion area with lights, cameras and patrol road.

Right now, the primary barrier is being upgraded to larger (18 foot) and stronger bollards. This will be finished by May (about 10 of the 14 miles is done). This month (Feb), replacement of the secondary barrier begins, with even larger (30 foot) bollards. The enforcement zone is also being upgraded with better road (and probably new technology for alarms and cameras). When it is done, it will effectively end illegal crossings there, except perhaps for teams of circus acrobats or International jewel thieves.

The new primary barrier defeats people who are just trying to free climb over it. Those who use trucks or ladders, will have to leave them behind at the primary barrier, and then face the tougher secondary barrier without them, as the cops are on their way.

Few other places along the border have even double barrier, so traffic will head elsewhere - but San Diego will be fixed (for good) by Christmas.

If the President gets the $5.7 billion he requested this year, he plans to install 234 miles of effective barrier: 104 miles in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, 55 miles around Laredo, Texas; and 75 more miles for other highest priority points - where over 2/3 of illegals now cross. Although it will be single barrier, it will be strong, and come with good road and a suite of technology that should stop most illegal crossings (well over 90%) where it is.

“Tunneling would also be a snap with such immediate access to the fence.”

The see through design of the fence makes it much more likely that tunneling activity near the fence will be seen - so they really need to start tunneling from the other side of the street. The new bollards are set in pretty massive foundations - at least six feet deep and two feet thick, of reinforced concrete. The video gives a good look.

The old landing mat primary barrier that they are replacing had no solid foundation, just posts. Kids could literally scoop out a space to belly under in five minutes.

With the new barrier, tunneling will no longer be a feasible approach for the common man - only for cartels or terrorist groups.

Tunneling would also be a snap

You clearly don't get it. Ya think they're going to shove a million illegals a year through some tunnel? Think again. Besides, the tunnels are designed to move drug$, not people.

The wall won't stop everyone and it was never designed to do so. It was designed to stop the endless hordes from willy nilly entering the U.S. by the millions like they've been doing for decades.

Here is some of the old landing mat primary barrier, now being replaced. It is generally 8-10 feet tall. Dirt and trash were dumped at its base in many spots, to form ramps.

Here is the existing secondary barrier - 15 foot chain link, covered with mesh, and topped with concertina. Holes can be cut with special power tools in as little as one minute.

Instead of landing mat, this will be the new primary barrier (18 foot bollard with anti-climb plate):

The new secondary barrier will be like these 30 foot bollards. Falling from 30 feet is fatal to more than half of those who fall. Just after these bollards were installed in Calexico, CA, a climber fell - breaking both femurs and his back. His life was saved by fast response, because it was under camera surveillance. Both the President and the DHS Secretary have alluded that it includes "unseen features" - some have speculated it is electrified near the top.

Sorry- ANY such vehicles would be VERY OUT OF PLACE on that remote road.

I have ridden horseback close enough to the border to SEE it. Westbound from El Paso. Horseback at 7 mph sure is slow enough to see what I am talking about. That was over 30 years ago, and things have ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.

The areas near cities are what you are seeing on TV. The areas along the rest of the border are remote-—ask ranchers down there. Especially the ones who NOW CARRY each & EVERY DAY. Even the women on the ranches are carrying. Too many surprise intruders.