Skeptics Question High-Tech Border `Fence'

Citzens border watch groups are skeptical that a virtual fence along the Arizona-Mexico border will be effective in stopping illegal immigration.

The first 28 miles of the fence is now online in the heavily-trafficked border-crossing area southwest of Tucson.

Glenn Spencer with the group, American Border Patrol, doubts the virtual fence will stop anyone.

``The only thing that is proven, that has worked, by the most gross measurement -- and that is total apprehension -- is the double-layer fence in San Diego that cut illegal immigration apprehensions by 95 percent," Spencer said.

The virtual fence includes 98-foot unmanned towers that are equipped with radar and cameras capable of distinguishing people from cattle at a distance of about 10 miles. The cameras are powerful enough to tell group sizes and whether people are carrying weapons and backpacks full of drugs.

``They have cameras and radar, but we know the terrain along the border," Spencer said. ``There are many washes, deep washes where people can get down and walk in those things and you cannot see them."

Spencer added, ``Detection does not mean apprehension. We've seen it over and over again on the border, and we've documented it."