4. Border and Enforcement News:

Napolitano shifts policy on border fence

Articles from both The New York Times and The Christian Science Monitor report that, in a shift from precedent, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, announced that DHS will spend $50 million of stimulus money that was originally intended for the SBInet high-tech fence along the Mexican border, on “more proven and cost effective technology.”

Between 2004 and 2009, over $2.4 billion was spent on SBInet, a proposed 2000 mile border fence along the US-Mexico border, based on radar towers, ground sensors, and other technology between guard towers, rather than a physical barrier; however, less than 700 miles of the fence has been completed, and the project is years behind, millions over budget, and facing technological difficulties with the monitoring equipment.

Citing the need for both safety and cost-effectiveness, Ms. Napolitano has proposed using the $50 million in stimulus money on more traditional technology, such as mobile surveillance, thermal imaging, body scanning units, and more radios, cameras, and computers for pursuit vehicles.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/17/napolitano-shifts-policy-on-mexico-border-fence/

and

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0317/Janet-Napolitano-halts-funding-for-virtual-border-fence

* * * * * *

Recent restaurant raids show immigration agency’s new strategy

The State Journal Record in Springfield, IL is reporting that federal immigration officials have charged six men from a Springfield restaurant with being illegally present, and using fake resident alien and social security cards to secure work. This represents a shift in the policy of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

ICE previously focused on large scale workplace raids. Since April of 2009, they have shifted to targeting specific institutions, based on evidence and information collected. Their means of doing so has been through I-9 audits. Since the April of 2009, over 1000 I-9 audits have occurred at various workplaces, as opposed to a total of 503 in the entire previous year. These audits have raised over $15 million in fees that resulted from fines. The shift is seen as beneficial to companies, which can avoid fines and fees if all of their paperwork is in compliance.

http://www.sj-r.com/business/x99760089/Immigration-agency-taking-new-approach-to-workplace-enforcement

* * * * * *

Acting CPB chief details alternative border tech

HSToday reports that the acting chief of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced more detailed plans of how the $50 million in stimulus package money that was diverted from the SBInet border fence will be spent.

David Aguilar announced that $32 million of the $50 million will go towards mobile surveillance systems, each with the capacity to scan 8-12 miles of the border. These systems combine surveillance radar, Doppler radar, infrared capability, and tracking capability. The rest of the money will go towards other helpful technology, including night-vision gear for border patrol officers.

http://www.hstoday.us/content/view/12666/128/

* * * * *