SOUTH PORTLAND — Presidential hopeful Rudy Guiliani, the Republican former mayor of New York City, used his first campaign visit to Maine on Monday to outline his plan for a high-tech, 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

"We have to end illegal immigration," Giuliani said during a speech this morning at the fall conference of the National Troopers Coalition. The crowd was made up of about 150 state troopers and highway patrol officers from around the country.

"We're much better off stopping it before people come in," Giuliani said. He also talked about his plan for a "tamper-proof" identification card for students, workers and others who enter the United States from abroad.

Giuliani has given similar versions of the speech at several campaign stops since unveiling his immigration platform in mid-August. Following the speech, Giuliani met with supporters at a reception, where contributors paid $250 to attend, or $1,000 for the reception and a photograph with the candidate.

He was the first of two presidential hopefuls due in greater Portland this week. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is expected to arrive tomorrow for a rally at the Portland Expo, and a fundraiser at a private home.