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New fencing toughens US, Mexico border crossings

But smugglers, illegal migrants still find holes

By Nick Miroff

 |  Washington Post  

  January 03, 2012

In the past five years, the international border in Calexico, Calif., has become a harder, and taller barrier. Miles of steel fences now cover the desolate sand dunes west of Calexico, and to the east, defensive barriers block off old smuggling routes. Border Patrol agents say the number of vehicles crossing the border has dropped, but they acknowledge that a fence does not bestow border security by its mere existence

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