Border Patrol Chief: Border Walls 'Have Been' Helpful

The current chief of the U.S. Border Patrol Agency Ronald Vitiello agreed with Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions that walls on the U.S. border have been helpful in resisting illegal immigrants from crossing, reports Breitbart News.

During a Senate subcommittee hearing on Thursday, Sessions asked if "barriers can be helpful" at the border and if "they magnify the ability of a single officer to be able to cover more territory."

Vitiello replied that "they have been," and credited the other tools the Border Patrol uses to help with its operations.

"All of the things we use on the border, physical barriers, fencing as one, technology is a great benefit to us, plus the agencies still have to have that response as well," Vitiello said.

He began his career with the Border Patrol in 1985, and was one of the contributors in the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

According to Breitbart, Vitiello recently was credited by the National Border Patrol Council with arranging stable work shifts for border officers.

Another Border Patrol member also testified, and was critical of the Obama administration's "catch and release" program for illegals.

Related Stories:

• Federal Data Show Surge in Illegals Caught at US-Mexico Border
• US Border Patrol Agents Want More Fencing, Better Radios and Drones