Immigration Policies Succeed - In Killing More People

Increased attention to border control and the deployment of extra-legal forces such as the Minutemen and legal forces such as the National Guard have not resulted in an increase in the apprehension of those crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. However, deaths along the border have increased substantially over 2005. According to the Border Patrol, deaths are on pace to "reach a record number this year."

The San Diego Union Tribune has the details on border apprehensions, rescues and deaths (pdf).

Tighter enforcement is steering illegal border-crossing traffic away from Arizona and has likely led to fewer deaths, rescues and apprehensions there this year. But borderwide, fatalities are approaching last year's record pace.

Meanwhile, apprehensions are down borderwide, but increasing in California and parts of Texas, with the biggest jump in the San Diego region.

According to Border Patrol records, between Oct. 1 and Sunday, 319 people are known to have died along the southern border. A year ago, 326 people died during the same period.

During fiscal year 2005, 472 people are known to have died attempting to cross the border illegally, making it the deadliest year on record. The federal fiscal year is Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

Fortunately, Republicans have a solution to controlling our Southern Border - an electrified wall. Representative Steve King (IA-5) has the plans for the fence already completed. You can watch him build his wall here.

We could also electrify this wire with the kind of current that would not kill somebody, but it would simply be a discouragement for them to be fooling around with it. We do that with livestock all the time.

Maybe we should start tazering employers who hire illegal aliens. That might be a more effect use of electricity. We could make it part of Chamber of Commerce meetings.