The current technology available with the military and research institutes is sufficient enough to setup a complete border security program. Technologies such as sound and microwave pain production systems that are not lethal would probably deter illegal immigrants from proceeding when the pain is too much. We could also use an infrared fence and cameras to protect the borders sounding off an alarm as soon as the connection is broken. The government can use technologies such as RFID, facial recognition to track and bring illegal immigrants to justice. Providing ID cards or temporary visas and providing potential illegal immigrants with reasons to cross the border legally would be another method of curbing the increasing number of illegal immigrants.
Using these technologies to protect the US borders is not going to be cheap. It is likely to cost millions or even billions of dollars to implement. However, one must look at the current cost to tax payers because of illegal immigrants (prisons, healthcare, social security issues, tax issues, national security etc.), and look at the long term savings of implementing such a program.
Within the past few years the United States has taken many measures and submitted countless proposals on how to limit illegal immigration. In 2008 Texas Rick Perry decided to install video cameras along the border that are monitored by watching the feed on a home computer. However this effort has not yielded results as expected.
The objectives for this operation were set out by Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition and they hoped to make 1200 arrests within the first year of operations. Unfortunately they have made only three arrests in the first six months. Although they planned on installing 200 cameras across the border there are only 13 operational cameras. This means that there are 80 miles of US border between each camera as opposed to the six miles between if they installed all 200 cameras. The federal government provided two million dollars for this project although it seems that it has severely fallen short on delivery.
Although the program has faced initial disappointments the Governor remains positive and committed to the program. The governor’s spokeswoman stated that this is a great example as to how you can utilize technology so that you don’t have to pay for an extra set of eyes.
One reason for migrants from South America is the number of available jobs and the higher wages, in comparison to their home country. Although a risky exercise, if one got across the border he or she had a pretty good chance of securing a decent job that paid decent wages. As for many US citizens, illegal immigrants were also affected by the economic crisis. As people spent less on remodeling their homes and indulging in non-essential commodities, the jobs began to dry up. Leaving illegal immigrants with very low or no income at all.
Illegal immigrants have been hit hard by the economic crisis since they cannot even lay claim to social services or government doles. Hence illegal immigrants have no option but leave the US and head back to their own country. One of the biggest issues they face is that they cannot afford to pay for their basic needs without a steady stream of work. Rent, food, electricity, water all become difficult to afford within a matter of weeks. Therefore the situation faces is along the lines of stay in the USA illegally and starve or go back home and try to find some sort of work. Some studies show that illegal immigrants living in the US has declined by as much as 11% in the last two years. Research also indicates that most illegal immigrants who have been in the US for a long time will probably stay and try to solve their dillemma, although younger, more recent arrivals will return home to try their luck.
One reason for migrants from South America is the number of available jobs and the higher wages, in comparison to their home country. Although a risky exercise, if one got across the border he or she had a pretty good chance of securing a decent job that paid decent wages. As for many US citizens, illegal immigrants were also affected by the economic crisis. As people spent less on remodeling their homes and indulging in non-essential commodities, the jobs began to dry up. Leaving illegal immigrants with very low or no income at all.
Illegal immigrants have been hit hard by the economic crisis since they cannot even lay claim to social services or government doles. Hence illegal immigrants have no option but leave the US and head back to their own country. One of the biggest issues they face is that they cannot afford to pay for their basic needs without a steady stream of work. Rent, food, electricity, water all become difficult to afford within a matter of weeks. Therefore the situation faces is along the lines of stay in the USA illegally and starve or go back home and try to find some sort of work. Some studies show that illegal immigrants living in the US has declined by as much as 11% in the last two years. Research also indicates that most illegal immigrants who have been in the US for a long time will probably stay and try to solve their dillemma, although younger, more recent arrivals will return home to try their luck.