Virtually blind: failures reported in key component of U.S.-Mexico electronic fence.

• Jurisdiction: United States
• Date: 01 July 2009
• Published date: 01 July 2009

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The Project 28 virtual border fence in Arizona cannot currently deliver live streaming video to Border Patrol agents in the field, a Department of Homeland Security official said.

Streaming video is a key capability that would have allowed agents to observe and track in real time illegal aliens or smugglers crossing the border.

The revelation that a highly touted component of the system does not work as promised came only days after the Obama administration announced that it is moving forward to expand the program to other areas along the southern border. The budget proposal includes $8 billion to deploy the high-tech virtual fence in other areas.

Kurt Guth, Secure Border Initiative director of systems engineering, said video from the cameras and sensors deployed along the border cannot be...