Immigration: "Virtual Fence" Deployed; Fines Boosted

Update: 28 February 11.53 Pacific
In an attempt to control smuggling and illegal immigration along the US-Mexico border -- and with shades of cyberpunk science fiction -- the Bush Administration has announced approval of a "virtual fence" developed by Boeing. Only 28 miles have been completed, along the Arizona border; if completed in its entirety, the "fence" would be almost 800 miles in length.

In addition, the White House has decided to boost the nominal fines for companies that hire undocumented workers. The increase in fines is the first since Bush took office. Minimum fines per undocumented employee increase from $100 to $375 and maximum fines for a first-time offender increases from $1000 to $3200.

The anti-immigration rhetoric is at odds with the data. And, as I wrote in 2006:

The reason that we're having a screaming match because of an estimated 12 million undocumented (no green card, hence "illegal") foreigners is because laws on the books for 20 years have been routinely ignored by employers large and small -- and by the federal agencies charged with enforcement.

Poll: Does Immigration Have A Positive Or Negative Affect On The US?

Also, see Illegal Immigration Explained - Profits & Poverty, Social Security & Starvation (US Liberals), What You Need To Know About US-Border Control (Immigration), Transcript of Third GOP Presidential Debate (2007, pdf), US Immigration As Percent of Population (1820-2004, US Politics)

^{Originally posted @ 05.29 24 February 2008}