WORD JUST IN: The Border Fence Works

The Christian Science Monitor has released two articles that proclaim the success of the border fence (where it is actually built), Where U.S.-Mexico Border Fence is Tall, Border Crossings Fall and reveal that the actual fence that is built is tattered and ragged, Along U.S.- Mexican Border, An Erratic Patchwork Fence.

The border fence (wall) in Yuma, Arizona works. Just imagine that you are an illegal alien running towards the border and then you come across a huge triple-layered fence. First, you would have to scale a 20 foot high steel fence reinforced by cement-filled steel piping. Then if you were lucky, you might have enough time and strength to climb another tall steel mesh fence. And if you are lucky enough not to be caught by the Border Patrol you can sprint 30 feet to the next cyclone fence topped with jagged concertina wire. Not even the best Olympic decatheletes could past this triple-layered fence before the Border Patrol could nab them. This is the kind of barrier that stops illegal aliens in their tracks and it's just what the doctor ordered for a secure border.

Since the triple-layered fence was complete in October, there has been a
72 % decline in illegal alien apprehensions in the 120-mile area known as the Yuma Sector. Border agents used to apprehend 800 people a day, now agents catch 50 or fewer.

Altough, the YUMA sector is highely successful, the rest of the border fencing is not. Dawn Garner, a farmer who lives in Naco, Arizona along the border asseses, "Anyone can plainly see this wouldn't stop a flea, let alone a migrant or terrorist." Garner sees 20 -40 illegal migrants cross her farm each day.

The fence she describes is "a jagged patchwork of metal mesh, corrugated steel, vertical bollards, ches-high railroads rails, and waist-high barbed wire." This kind of fence is piecemeal and pointless.

The government promised a double-layered fence in the Secure Fence Act of 2006. Since then our representatives in Washington have been playing politics with border fence issue. America needs these politicians to stop playing games and start being practical. The double and triple layered fences work---plain and simple. It is time for Congress to reinstate the Secure Fence Act and build an actual fence, just like in Yuma.