Yay or Nay for a U.S. Border Wall

Yay or Nay for a U.S. Border Wall

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Sep 01, 2015

The thought of securing the United States’ borders is appealing and makes sense to quite a few people even though, historically, this idea has fallen flat. But, now with the presidential election brewing, this seems to be a hot debate between candidates.

The border between the U.S. and Mexico spans approximately 2,000 miles, from California to Texas with illegal immigration, drug trafficking and other security breaches being issues of growing concern for years. Construction of the first “border wall” began in 1993 between San Diego and Tijuana, but 13 years and $39 million dollars later, only 14 miles of the fence has been completed, with the remaining 3.5 miles of fencing estimated to cost another $35 million.

Then came the debate of whether it would be possible to construct this same type of fencing across the border’s diverse terrain; the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it would be impossible. So, it was proposed to allow DHS to determine where it would make the most sense to build high-tech fencing, physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras and sensors. This proposal passed in 2007, with a budget of $1.2 billion.

By 2011, DHS had reported building 350 miles of fencing, costing approximately $6.5 million per mile and about 299 miles of vehicle barriers, priced at $1.7 million per mile. This resulted in scattered fencing, disconnected pieces and a lot of dollars spent along the southwest border. During the same year, the Obama administration cut funding for a “virtual wall” project that President Bush had initiated in 2005 to replace physical fencing with mobile surveillance and unmanned drones across the entire 2,000 mile border. However, after $1 billion was spent, only there was only 53 miles of virtual surveillance to show. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano found that this project didn’t meet “current standards for viability and cost effectiveness.”

Now on the scene is presidential candidate Donald Trump, who plans to use his negotiating skills to force Mexico to pay for the border wall. (I guess after spending billions on this “border wall” concept, we are a bit strapped for cash!)

And, so, after a merry-go-round of attempts, we are still left with the following question: Should the U.S. even build a fence along its borders?

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities