By By JohnThomas Didymus Nov 29, 2011 in World The United States is building a fence stretching about 300 feet out into the Pacific to stop illegal Mexican immigrants from taking advantage of the low tide to cross into Southern California. According to Michael Gimenez, a border patrol officer, "the project we are working on is to replace the existing fence. The new structure will be about 1,200 feet (365 meters) long, of which 900 feet (274 meters) will be on land." The old fence has gaps in several places, and according to Michael Gimenez, "We are replacing those portions, due to the corrosion, due to the salt air and the water corroding the existing pipes." Illegal immigrants from Mexico have for years skirted the old barrier using jet skis and surf boards and also by walking along the shoreline at low tide to a beach on the U.S. side of the border, Gimenez explained. "We are receiving a lot of donations for materials, as well as being sold supplies at wholesale prices. The project will cost less than ten times that amount." Senator Smith says convicted criminals will be used to reduce labor cost in building the fence. The criminal laborers will be paid at the rate of 50c an hour. Critics have said, however, that fences do little to stop illegal immigrants, and Senator Smith, who is running for re-election, has countered his critics, saying, "In light of their doing nothing, I would hope they wouldn't want to deter a state from protecting its own border." Senator Smith says he hopes that his scheme will be extended to cover the entire American border under similarly funded projects. According to AFP , the project, which will cost the U.S. $4.3 million, is intended to replace an old and dilapidated fence with an 18-foot high corrosion-proof barrier between Tijuana (Mexico) and San Diego (U.S.).According to Michael Gimenez, a border patrol officer, "the project we are working on is to replace the existing fence. The new structure will be about 1,200 feet (365 meters) long, of which 900 feet (274 meters) will be on land."The old fence has gaps in several places, and according to Michael Gimenez, "We are replacing those portions, due to the corrosion, due to the salt air and the water corroding the existing pipes."Illegal immigrants from Mexico have for years skirted the old barrier using jet skis and surf boards and also by walking along the shoreline at low tide to a beach on the U.S. side of the border, Gimenez explained. International Business Times also reports that citizens of the state of Arizona are showing enthusiasm for a scheme backed by Republican State Senator Steve Smith, who has set up a website buildtheborderfence.com to raise funds to pay for an 80 mile wall along their borders. According to Senator Steve Smith,Senator Smith says convicted criminals will be used to reduce labor cost in building the fence. The criminal laborers will be paid at the rate of 50c an hour.Critics have said, however, that fences do little to stop illegal immigrants, and Senator Smith, who is running for re-election, has countered his critics, saying, "In light of their doing nothing, I would hope they wouldn't want to deter a state from protecting its own border."Senator Smith says he hopes that his scheme will be extended to cover the entire American border under similarly funded projects. More about US, Mexican immigrants, sea fence More news from US Mexican immigrants sea fence