Illegal immigration is an issue that needs to be tackled. Whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, we can all agree that something needs to be done to reduce the number of people entering the country unaccounted for. Securing the border is a more important and immediate need than tracking down and deporting illegal immigrants who are already in the country. If the sink is overflowing, the first thing to do is shut off the water, not pick up a mop and sponge. Trying to clean up the mess isn't any good if the water is still running.

The same concept applies to deal with illegal immigration. Instead of spending all the time and money into the ICE to trace, arrest and deport, President Trump should put that money into constructing a more advanced system of border protection. Building a 30-foot concrete wall, however, is just not cost-effective or practical. Concrete walls aren't new technology. It could've been done a hundred years ago if the government at that time wanted to build it. The US-Mexico border is over 1,900 miles long and the current fencing runs about 700 miles. Creating a giant concrete wall across the border is too time-consuming and physically impractical. The current building that is going on is only to repair the existing border wall and make prototypes. With 21st century technology, it's possible and very feasible to construct a much better wall that can be faster to build and partially invisible.

Long-range cameras can be set up on steel poles along the border. These cameras can be able to see accurately for up to 15 miles depending on the terrain. Cameras can have facial recognition features that assist border patrol track anyone who crosses. In portions of the border where people frequently trespass, barbed fences equipt with touch sensors could be utilized. The barbed fencing would deter some people from entering, while the touch sensors would tell border patrol agents which part of the fence is being disrupted so that they can respond more quickly. In other parts of the border, ground sensors can be installed to detect and track movement along the border. Motion activated cameras, floodlights, and alarms can also be utilized to detect and deter those who want to come into the country illegally. All of this technology will require power so underground wiring and solar panels or mini-wind turbines with backup batteries can be installed to provide a constant power supply.

Outside of stationary structures and devices, more drones can be deployed to monitor and follow activity along the border. Drones can be equipt with infrared cameras to detect humans crossing the border at night and be linked to control centers that aggregate data and send out alerts to officers as needed. Dogs can be trained to detect illegal substances and humans who cross the border. The collars on the canines should be equipt with GPS trackers and microphones to monitor the canines' location and detect sudden changes in noise, which will give a red flag to border security personnel. The data gathered from drones, sensors, and cameras will aid in determining where more patrol officers should be stationed to decrease response time.

Most Republicans and landowners in Texas actually prefer having more border patrol and fencing as opposed to a solid concrete wall. Besides just being an eyesore, a concrete wall would also increase the risk of flooding, disrupt wildlife migration, and require more roads and temporary housing in the construction phase— rapidly adding up the costs of the project. The other issue with constructing a 30-foot concrete wall is finding the people to do the building- the many parts of the wall would be located in places that are very hot and remote.

In the end, creating an intelligent network of fences, cameras, monitors, and drones would be more effective, far faster to build, and lower risk than making a tall concrete wall. This network of advanced technology will provide vital data for the Dept. of Homeland Security and CIA. European nations have already begun utilizing many of the devices mentioned above.