Senators debating "virtual wall" at Mexican border

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Without Prejudice

Senators writing an immigration reform bill are debating whether an actual or "virtual" fence should be built along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Republicans are split on a proposal for a "virtual" fence, using cameras and other technology to monitor illegal traffic.

Last year, the House passed a measure calling for hundreds of miles of fencing at heavily trafficked areas on the southwestern border and study of a possible fence along the Canadian border.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet on the issue again next week.

Arizona Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano Wednesday signed an executive order to expand the National Guard's presence at the state's border with Mexico to combat illegal immigration.

Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., who has broken with many House Republican members on building 700 miles of fence between Mexico and the United States, organized a tour of the Arizona border for his colleagues last weekend.

According to the Arizona Republic, the congressmen flew along the border in Border Protection Blackhawk helicopters, toured the region on the ground and talked with Border Patrol and other officials.

Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., who co-wrote the House bill calling for the border fence, said he was taken aback by seeing the size and scale the project would require.

"I just can't get over how massive this is, compared to (the border) in California," he told the Arizona Republic. "The prospect of a wall is kind of a tough, tough thing."[More...]