Issue Position: Border Security/Immigration

Issue Position

The lack of a secure border is critically endangering our national security, economic security, control of illegal drugs and the efficacy of our criminal justice system. The segments of fences on our southern border are a moderate deterrent to those simply looking for temporary work in the U.S. but no deterrent at all to drug cartels, mercenary coyotes, and terrorists. And they will be of little benefit when and if a mass immigration occurs as Mexico falls further into civil war.

Conventional wisdom and the position of the past two administrations, both Republican and Democrat, have been rooted in passive denial and ostensibly a sense of hopelessness over the impracticality of deporting all those who are here illegally. However, the real reason so little has been done is (1) the misguided belief that voting Hispanics oppose border control and (2) the more credible but corrupt strategy of some to provide illegal immigrants with a path to citizenship, or more accurately, the voting booth.

Contrary to the mindset of Janet Napolitano, Presidents (43 and 44), and mainstream politicians on both sides of the aisle, a continuous barrier 1,969 miles long can be built to effectively halt the flow of immigrant workers, drugs and terrorists. Estimates have generally been in the $50B range; however, roughly 350 miles of Israel's 500-mile fence has been built at a cost of $3.2M/mile, which would translate to a total cost of $6.3B for our border with Mexico.

Solutions:

Based on expertise in remote sensing, MEMS devices, nanotechnology materials and ground-penetrating radar, I am certain that an effective barrier can be constructed and instrumented such that (1) individuals within, say, 100 feet of the fence would be safely repelled, (2) aggressive individuals equipped to penetrate the Active Denial system would be repelled, and (3) all attempts to build tunnels would be detected before anyone could utilize them.

These border defense systems would be inherently survivable, self-powered and low-maintenance. They install quickly on an existing solid fence (steel or concrete) and would require a relatively small force to operate. An important feature of this particular approach is its ability to safely "repel" humans and animals without injury and to direct them with unmanned visual and audible instructions to points of entry (POEs) where they can be processed and documented for legal entry with proper biometric identification.

As Manager of Strategic Development at a defense contractor in Albuquerque (2008-2010), I have become up-to-date on sensors and scanners currently used or in development for POEs to detect CBRNe agents as well as conventional weapons and contraband carried by individuals, vehicles and containers.

Concerning the deportation and re-admittance of migrant workers and visitors here illegally, it is indeed feasible, contrary to popular belief, to ensure that most all who are here illegally will leave the U.S. While treated fairly and with respect, they would be required to apply to re-enter after their identity is verified and their background has been sufficiently checked with the cooperation of their nation country. I am proposing that all non-citizens be required to purchase and carry a secure, tamper-free credit-card-sized biometric ID incorporating a photo, encrypted fingerprint along with key data such as residence, citizenship, employer and other background information available at CBP, ICE, DEA, BATFE, and, under certain conditions, local and state law enforcement.

My concern for our national security is based, in part, on the 25 years I have worked in Special Ops in a number of countries. Philosophically, I am opposed to the notion of a Global World with open borders, and the Global Community as described by our President. Our national security, in view of the practical realities of terrorism and the anarchy next door at our southern border, demands that we secure our borders and POEs as well as our bases and diplomatic offices abroad. The technology to do so is feasible. Congress and the White House need to have the WILL to do so as a result of the 2012 election.

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