US Border Fence Extending 300 Feet Into Pacific

For some people, "from sea to shining sea" just isn't good enough, not when it comes to keeping illegals out of America the beautiful. The Great Wall of America is getting a $4.3 million upgrade at its westernmost point, at scenic Imperial Beach, where an 18-foot-high steel fence will be extended 300 feet into the Pacific Ocean, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The logistics of the "Surf Fence Project" are daunting: Trying to build a secure, heavy wall through deep, pounding waves and on a sandy beach floor. Several previous attempts were smashed by the elements. But this time, a private contractor is building the fence, with 6-inch steel piping, a rust-proof coating, and a 30-year guarantee. Still, many are skeptical. "The strength of the ocean will eventually knock the fence down," said one longtime resident of the area. (More US-Mexico border stories.)