Speech #1100060778

I thank the Committee for accepting the language in the bill requiring the DHIS Secretary to consult with local communities. and to seek their advice before spending money on the wall. Thats hardly enough. but that puts a little lipstick on the pig. Rather than spend over $3 million dollars a mile. we should be directing the Department of Homeland Security to utilize technology like ground sensors. unmanned aircraft. vehicle barriers. cameras and human surveillance through Border Patrol. The technology ot a virtual wall saves the taxpayers $2 million dollars a mile . . . will be more reliable . . . and actually give the Border Patrol the time and resources they need to detain illegal immigrants or potential terrorists. Virtual technology is proven. this week the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced it would deploy a virtual fence to protect JFK. Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia airports. Much of the technology they are deploying is either currently being used or developed by CBP. We need to be smarter about our border security . . . rather than expect a physical wall to singlehandedly protect our country. Unless you live along the border. you do not understand the uniqueness of border communities. Constructing a fence along the southwest border is going to have a devastating economic impact in our border towns.