Immigration enforcement

From the SF Chronicle: in 2006 and 2007, the federal government will spend $44 billion on immigration enforcement, even as it refuses to hammer out real immigration reform. This includes $5.5 billion for a “virtual fence.” If Congress gets excited about gadgets that magically make problems disappear, then you know you’re in trouble.

I suppose it is fitting, because the virtual fence will provide only a virtual solution. The stubborn refusal to address either push or pull factors in immigration from Latin America is depressing. The overall attitude seems to be that throwing enough money at the issue will make it go away, and that such decisions will have no effect at all on the economy or society.