Border Patrol Turns to 'Virtual Wall'

By JULIE WATSON
Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- A high-tech "virtual wall" will detect more than 95 percent of illegal crossings at the busiest jumping-off point along the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. Border Patrol chief said Thursday.

In a videoconference with reporters in Mexico, David Aguilar predicted the so-called "virtual wall" of lights, ground sensors and cameras - reinforced by more agents - will essentially halt illegal crossings along the Arizona border, the busiest section for clandestine entries.

Officials expect to complete 28 miles of the high-tech system in Arizona by June, and by next year it should run into New Mexico and parts of Texas.

Eventually, the integrated system will cover sections along the entire border, from San Diego to Brownsville, Texas.

"We will be able to identify, detect and classify more than 95 percent of illegal entries with the virtual wall," Aguilar said.