HOMELAND SECURITY SCRAPS BORDER FENCE

The Department of Homeland Security Friday pulled the plug on a
troubled billion-dollar program to build a high-tech fence along the
Arizona border to help fight illegal immigration, a definitive end to
a long-moribund project.

By scrapping the controversial SBInet program, DHS will now turn to a
mix of proven, existing technology it says will help agents patrol a
much bigger chunk of the Southwest border at a lower cost.

"SBInet cannot meet its original objective of providing a single,
integrated border-security technology solution," Homeland Security
Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a written statement. She said the
new solution, which will include mobile surveillance systems, unmanned
aircraft and thermal-imaging devices, was "tailored to the unique
needs of each border region" and would provide a "more effective
balance between cost and capability."

DHS has spent the past year reviewing the program, initially conceived
in 2005, which has been plagued by technology problems, cost overruns
and delays. Only 53 miles of the Arizona border have been protected
with SBInet technology at a cost of nearly $1 billion. In contrast,
the new plan envisions covering the rest of the Arizona border-some
323 miles-for roughly $750 million.

Ms. Napolitano froze funding for the program-and its primary
contractor, Boeing Corp.-in March while the assessment was being
carried out.

DHS said it would continue to use some elements of the old SBInet
system "that have proven successful, such as stationary radar and
infrared and optical sensor towers."

Boeing said that "we appreciate that they recognize the value of the
integrated fixed towers Boeing has built, tested and delivered so
far," adding that "Boeing remains committed to providing valuable
solutions and supporting DHS."

DHS will carry out further assessments on the rest of the southern
border to determine which technologies will best help border-patrol
agents detect illegal crossings.

SBInet's demise was applauded by some key members of Congress, and
even critics of the administration's approach to the border didn't
challenge the move.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut who chairs the
Senate Committee on Homeland Security, said in a statement that the
"long-troubled" program was "unrealistic," and called the department's
new plan a "far wiser approach."

New York Republican Peter King, chairman of the House Committee on
Homeland Security, said in a statement: "While I understand the
Department of Homeland Security decision to end the SBInet program, I
continue to have very serious concerns about the Obama
administration's lack of urgency to secure the border."

The administration deported a record number of illegal immigrants-more
than 390,000-in the year ended Sept. 30. About half had a criminal
record, in line with the administration's decision to target illegal
immigrants with criminal convictions.