Texas proposes to allow Internet users to monitor US border

Jun 3, 2006, 3:09 GMT

Washington - The governor of Texas this week unveiled a plan that would allow Internet users to monitor the border to Mexico and call officials when they spot illegal immigrants.

Governor Rick Perry proposed to spend 5 million dollars on hundreds of surveillance cameras that would monitor hot spots along the border.

The video feed from the cameras would be put on the Internet in real time, which would allow people from all over the world to keep an eye on the border. If they see something suspicious, they can call law enforcement agencies who will then take action.

'By leveraging advanced video technology and the power of the World Wide Web, and with an increased financial commitment from the state of Texas, we can make our border stronger and our nation safer,' Perry said.

'A stronger border is what the American people want, that is what our security demands, and that is what Texas is going to deliver,' he said.

The governor wants the cameras to be equipped with night vision capabilities and assured Texans that their privacy would not be disturbed.

Both houses of the US Congress have passed differing legislation on how to deal with illegal immigrants that are already in the country and over how to better secure the country's borders.

Tense negotiations are expected when members of the Senate and the House of Representatives meet later this year to attempt to hash out a compromise.