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Just putting this out there, due to several comments concerning the Border Patrol, perceived loss of liberties and our inability to control our border. I want to maintain neutrality, not blasting either Law Enforcement, the Military, or any political party. My question is how can we secure the Souther Border? Some thoughts to consider: Remember Mexico has abject poverty, an on-going war, compounded by a corrupt Government. The Mexican people have nothing to loose to cross over, we aren't going to shoot them, now we don't even imprison them. Do we create a 1K zone, (such as what existed between East and West Germany), or perhaps a Korean DMZ, (which it sure isn't Demilitarized), type situation? Do we use military patrols with all this portends, i.e Infantry/Armor with firearms and bullets? How do we do this without the loss of "our" constitutional rights, such as the freedom of movement, right to keep and bear arms, right of free speech, right not to be searched without our consent or warrent. If the Military owns the security, you can gauranty, at the bare minimum, the loss of the 2nd Amendment. Remember the military will have mission creep and probably will begin patrolling deeper and deeper into the US proper. If individuals are complaining about the supposed excesses of the Border Patrol, try a military private behind a gun at a check point. The Military are not Law Enforcement regardless of what some might wish. If the Military takes possession of security, Martial Law will be defacto in effect around all areas that they are given control of. Military commanders want complete control of their space and I can't blame them. Do we build a great wall, while forgetting there are ladders and shovels out there? There are many on this board that have served on checkpoints overseas and perhaps can identify. So how do we control our Southern Border? Sorry for the rambling, I would just like to see what other's think and have an open discussion.

The Rio Grande Federal Penitentiary. Instead of building new prisons inland, we build a prison consisting of a single row of cells facing Mexico with a fenced 50' yard along the front of the cells (think outdoor storage units). Guards patrol the prison from catwalks above the cells.
Benefits:
Border patrol only has to man vehicle checkpoints. Prison guards monitor the rest, using the prison labor expense to cover both roles.
No prisons in anyone's backyard.
We are not shooting immigrants; we are protecting the security of the prison.
Breaking into a prison is an offense of its own without worrying about immigration law.
No gaps in the coverage.
Adds business opportunities along the US side of the border.


If the prison would not be long enough, we could consider the Rio Grande Wild Game Preserve along the rest. "Lions, and tigers, and bears! Ay caramba!"

MasterOfNone wrote:The Rio Grande Federal Penitentiary. Instead of building new prisons inland, we build a prison consisting of a single row of cells facing Mexico with a fenced 50' yard along the front of the cells (think outdoor storage units).

Not sure how that would work out. El Paso tucks right up to the river along the Texas-Mexico line. We already have a fence that runs along the line as well with less than well thought out security.

Image 1
This is 30 miles south of El Paso along the river.

Image 2
This Masterlock is the only thing keeping this fence locked, it is on the Mexico side...

*I tried to embed the images into the post for inline viewing but it did some strange resizing thing.

nakedbike wrote:

MasterOfNone wrote:The Rio Grande Federal Penitentiary. Instead of building new prisons inland, we build a prison consisting of a single row of cells facing Mexico with a fenced 50' yard along the front of the cells (think outdoor storage units).

Not sure how that would work out. El Paso tucks right up to the river along the Texas-Mexico line. We already have a fence that runs along the line as well with less than well thought out security.

Image 1
This is 30 miles south of El Paso along the river.

Image 2
This Masterlock is the only thing keeping this fence locked, it is on the Mexico side...

*I tried to embed the images into the post for inline viewing but it did some strange resizing thing.

If my eyes do not deceive me and the pictures were taken when you were standing in the US, the lock is on the American side. The Mexican side starts in the middle of the river, not on the bank.

They could do better on the lock.

OldCurlyWolf wrote:

nakedbike wrote:

MasterOfNone wrote:The Rio Grande Federal Penitentiary. Instead of building new prisons inland, we build a prison consisting of a single row of cells facing Mexico with a fenced 50' yard along the front of the cells (think outdoor storage units).

Not sure how that would work out. El Paso tucks right up to the river along the Texas-Mexico line. We already have a fence that runs along the line as well with less than well thought out security.

Image 1
This is 30 miles south of El Paso along the river.

Image 2
This Masterlock is the only thing keeping this fence locked, it is on the Mexico side...

*I tried to embed the images into the post for inline viewing but it did some strange resizing thing.

If my eyes do not deceive me and the pictures were taken when you were standing in the US, the lock is on the American side. The Mexican side starts in the middle of the river, not on the bank.

They could do better on the lock.

Yes you're correct... Picture was taken on the American side of the fence, the lock is on the Mexico facing side of the fence...

Looking through the fence you wouldn't know there was a river though.

nakedbike wrote:

MasterOfNone wrote:The Rio Grande Federal Penitentiary. Instead of building new prisons inland, we build a prison consisting of a single row of cells facing Mexico with a fenced 50' yard along the front of the cells (think outdoor storage units).

Not sure how that would work out. El Paso tucks right up to the river along the Texas-Mexico line. We already have a fence that runs along the line as well with less than well thought out security.

But that is what the prison offers - security. An unwatched fence is worthless. There have been news reports showing holes cut into fences in California. But the prison fences would be watched by prison guards instead of being left unattended.

I think lots of signs, in English and Spanish. every 10 feet along the whole border...

This may or may not be the area we planted land mines.

I've got an Idea! Abolish the BATF, EPA, et al, and offer the employees the option of prison guard positions along the Rio Grande or unemployment.

RPB wrote:I think lots of signs, in English and Spanish. every 10 feet along the whole border...

This may or may not be the area we planted land mines.

This would just lead to the strong ones forcing the weak ones to go first.

20 ft high barb wires, then some 100 ft of smart land mines, then another 20 ft high barb wires. No more illegal crossings.

Beiruty wrote:20 ft high barb wires, then some 100 ft of smart land mines, then another 20 ft high barb wires. No more illegal crossings.

Wire is easily defeated with cutters. And mines would draw too much opposition from lefties.

MasterOfNone wrote:

Beiruty wrote:20 ft high barb wires, then some 100 ft of smart land mines, then another 20 ft high barb wires. No more illegal crossings.

Wire is easily defeated with cutters. And mines would draw too much opposition from lefties.

No. Mines would just be morally wrong. The only solution I see is stopping them from getting employment by having strong penalties ageist any company that hires illegal immigrants. There are too many here now to deport them all so we need to dry up the jobs and most of them will leave.

loadedliberal wrote:

MasterOfNone wrote:

Beiruty wrote:20 ft high barb wires, then some 100 ft of smart land mines, then another 20 ft high barb wires. No more illegal crossings.

Wire is easily defeated with cutters. And mines would draw too much opposition from lefties.

No. Mines would just be morally wrong. The only solution I see is stopping them from getting employment by having strong penalties ageist any company that hires illegal immigrants. There are too many here now to deport them all so we need to dry up the jobs and most of them will leave.

And we have to dry up all sources of government assistance with strong penalties for any government official who provides assistance. And when the illegals are caught, they should be imprisoned and work to offset the cost of enforcement and deportation.

We should copy what Israel does for border security:

MasterOfNone wrote:

Beiruty wrote:20 ft high barb wires, then some 100 ft of smart land mines, then another 20 ft high barb wires. No more illegal crossings.

Wire is easily defeated with cutters. And mines would draw too much opposition from lefties.

Maybe if the land mine shrapnel was Skittles and colored marshmallows the lefties would agree.