February 23, 2008 Virtual fence gets approved for Arizona Border Play video

(NECN) - A 28 mile virtual fence on the US Mexico border has gotten government approval.

Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff made the announcement on Friday.

The plan involves securing the southwest border with radar equipped surveillance towers and high tech cameras aimed at stopping illegal immigrants.

The federal government also plans to raise fines for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

In 2007 the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency fined employees more than $30 million for violating immigration laws.