Romney camp hits back in an e-mail:
Mayor Giuliani’s claims tonight about technology at our border do not square with reality:
Giuliani’s Campaign Defended His Comments By Claiming That The Technology Did Not Exist Prior To 1996 To Control Illegal Immigration:
Giuliani’s Campaign Responded To His Past Statements That Illegal Immigration Could Not Be Controlled By Saying That Technology Has Changed. “Asked how they could reconcile a pledge to ‘end illegal immigration’ with a concession that stopping the in-flow of immigrants isn’t practical or even desirable, Giuliani’s campaign pointed to remarks their candidate made last week indicating that improved technology could help curb illegal immigration.” (Jonathan Martin, “As Abortion Is To Mitt, Immigration Is To Rudy,” The Politico, www.politico.com/blogs/, 8/15/07)
Giuliani’s Campaign Said That Technology Did Not Exist In 1996 To Control Illegal Immigration. “Giuliani deputy communications director Jason Miller asked to revise and extend their initial response: ‘As the mayor made clear in his comments over a decade ago, the technology simply did not exist to completely secure the border in 1996. Reasonable people understand we have made great technological strides in the past 11 years and our national security now depends on stopping the flow of illegal immigrants to our country. The fact of the matter is we can and must end illegal immigration, and Mayor Giuliani is the leader our country needs to get it done.’” (Jonathan Martin, “As Abortion Is To Mitt, Immigration Is To Rudy,” The Politico, www.politico.com/blogs/, 8/15/07)
However, Since The 1980s The U.S. Border Patrol Has Used Many Technologies To Help Control The Border:
In 1995, U.S. Border Patrol Used Night Vision Scopes And Ground Sensors. “At Goat Canyon, Smugglers Canyon and the Gravel Pit – popular Tijuana staging grounds for illegal crossers – Border Patrol agents parked in their trucks appear almost bored by the lack of activity. Skylights, night vision scopes and ground sensors have helped. Agents, including more than 400 added since the initiation of Gatekeeper, track illegals by air, land and sea in helicopters, trucks and boats.” (Ernest Sander, “One Year Later, Illegal Immigration Traffic Moves East Of San Diego,” The Associated Press, 10/29/95)
In 1988, U.S. Border Patrol Used Video Surveillance And Sensors. “As a result, the Border Patrol has issued its agents M-16 rifles. The agents patrol on foot, horseback, light aircraft and all-terrain vehicles. They also use sensors and low-light television cameras to monitor the border, Brien said.” (Ruth Sinai, “Patrolling Against Aliens Yields Drug Seizures,” The Associated Press, 8/28/88)
In 1988, U.S. Border Patrol Used Sensors. “As a result, the Border Patrol has issued its agents M-16 rifles. The agents patrol on foot, horseback, light aircraft and all-terrain vehicles. They also use sensors and low-light television cameras to monitor the border, Brien said.” (Ruth Sinai, “Patrolling Against Aliens Yields Drug Seizures,” The Associated Press, 8/28/88)
In 1995, U.S. Border Patrol Used Radiation Detection Equipment. “Along a 14-mile stretch already fortified with a 10-foot steel-plate wall, the campaign increased the number of Border Patrol agents and added high-pressure sodium vapor lights, infrared scopes, all-weather bridges and new computer technology. Deterrence disputed Since the crackdown, apprehensions of illegal border crossers has risen 16 percent over the previous year.” (Diane Lindquist, “Grape Expectations,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, 8/17/95)
In 1988, U.S. Border Patrol Used Aerial Support. “As a result, the Border Patrol has issued its agents M-16 rifles. The agents patrol on foot, horseback, light aircraft and all-terrain vehicles.” (Ruth Sinai, “Patrolling Against Aliens Yields Drug Seizures,” The Associated Press, 8/28/88)
In 1996, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Were Discussed As Possible Methods For Border Patrol. “Even the Army National Guard has broached the idea of using the UAVs for patrolling the border with Mexico to prevent drug smuggling and illegal immigration.” (David A. Fulghum, “Predator UAV Produces High-Quality Images,” Aviation Week & Space Technology, 11/28/94)
In 1995, U.S. Border Patrol Tested Satellite Tracking Devices. “If we’re successful, there will be funds, because it’s much more efficient to use these devices than human resources, which cost a lot more,” he said. U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Imperial Beach station have already started testing a satellite tracking system to follow their agents in the field. The system, which uses a mini-satellite dish placed on top of a patrol car, allows fellow agents at the command center to track the vehicle’s movements. The system could help supervisors point out gaps in an agent’s patrol route, said Bill Pink, the station’s patrol agent in charge.” (Sandra Dibble, “Star Wars Arrives At The Border,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/18/95)
In 1992, The U.S. Border Patrol Installed Fencing On The Border. “With help from the Department of Defense, the Border Patrol has installed 14 miles of reinforced steel fencing, replacing and extending the tattered chain link and steel cable which did not effectively deter crossings at San Ysidro, the INS said.” (Nita Lelyveld, “Immigration Report: Illegal Border Crossings Down, Drug Seizures Up,” The Associated Press, 10/31/92)
In 1995, U.S. Border Patrol Used All-Weather Bridges. “Along a 14-mile stretch already fortified with a 10-foot steel-plate wall, the campaign increased the number of Border Patrol agents and added high-pressure sodium vapor lights, infrared scopes, all-weather bridges and new computer technology. Deterrence disputed Since the crackdown, apprehensions of illegal border crossers has risen 16 percent over the previous year.” (Diane Lindquist, “Grape Expectations,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, 8/17/95)
In 1996, U.S. Border Patrol Used Checkpoints. “U.S. Border Patrol agents seized nearly $300,000 in narcotics at the San Clemente checkpoint this week, including $16,000 worth of hydriodic acid, the chemical used in the production of the drug methamphetamine or ‘crystal meth.’” (Julie Fate Sullivan, “Border Patrol Seizes Chemical Used In ‘Crystal Meth’ Labs,” Los Angeles Times, 12/9/95)
In 1992, U.S. Border Patrol Used High Intensity Lighting. “The Border Patrol also installed a mile of high intensity lighting across the Tijuana River Channel crossing, where illegal aliens can run 200 yards to get to the urban San Ysidro area.” (Nita Lelyveld, “Immigration Report: Illegal Border Crossings Down, Drug Seizures Up,” The Associated Press, 10/31/92)
In 1992, U.S. Border Patrol Used Improved Roads. “The U.S. Border Patrol has upped security in the past year, by repairing, improving and installing new border fencing, installing lights, assigning more border patrol agents to the area and improving border roads, McNary said.” (Nita Lelyveld, “Immigration Report: Illegal Border Crossings Down, Drug Seizures Up,” The Associated Press, 10/31/92)