How the US Virtual Border Wall Failed to Deliver on Its Promise
For 25 years, the US government has invested billions of dollars in a sprawling network of surveillance towers along the southern border, creating what officials have called a “virtual wall.” The system was promoted as a way to spot people crossing the border, help authorities apprehend them, and ultimately save lives. But a groundbreaking investigation by MIT Technology Review reveals a far more troubling record. The reporting documents more than 1,000 people who were affected by the technology’s deadly failures, raising serious questions about the system’s effectiveness, oversight, and human cost. In this roundtable session, journalists and experts examine how the virtual border wall was built, why its promises fell short, and what its history says about the risks of relying on high-tech surveillance for border enforcement. Listen to the full discussion or watch the session below.