In the past, our porous borders were blamed for the large number of undocumented immigrants in our country. However, due to increased border security, the number of apprehensions of people attempting to enter the U.S. illegally have decreased to about 850,000 from more than 1.6 million in 2000. Our border patrol has doubled in size since 2005 and quintupled in size since 1993. Some politicians have suggested building a wall along our Southern border at a cost of $45 billion including private land acquisitions. We already have nearly 700 miles of fencing along our northern and southern borders. However, critics say a wall would be a waste of money because walls can be breached and would have no effect on securing the 19,000 cargo containers crossing our borders each day. The Department of Homeland Security uses unattended ground sensors, truck-mounted and remote video surveillance systems, drones and fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft to stem illegal immigration. Border security advocates claim increasing this type of technology would be more effective in securing our border than a wall.

Pending Legislation: H.R.1707 - Border Visibility and Security Act
Sponsor: Rep. Chip Roy (TX)
Status: House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship (Judiciary)
Chair: Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA)