https://nowcomment.com/documents/344265
A large part of former President Donald Trump’s campaign was the promise to build a wall along the border of Mexico and the United States to reduce illegal immigration. This however is not the most practical or efficient strategy for addressing illegal immigration for several reasons. For example, legal barriers would make it logistically difficult. Private property owners in Texas will fight and have fought back on the government wanting to take their land. Since fair compensation is required, sorting out what that fair compensation is can take several years. Practically, a wall is hard to maintain, for example the wall could not inhibit water flow between the countries, and the points where water goes through may erode the wall as well as provide points of access. Other natural processes would over time affect the structural integrity of the wall making it difficult and costly to maintain. Methods like making holes in the wall, digging tunnels, and climbing over would also need to be considered. A wall also does not address the fact that a third of unauthorized immigrants entered the US legally then simply overstayed their visas, and this percentage is increasing. Cost creates another barrier. The wall would cost approximately 18 billion dollars. While Donald Trump claimed that Mexico would be the one paying for the wall, the Mexican Government has made it clear that they will not, meaning the US would have spend billions. Overall, other methods should be explored to address the issue of illegal immigration as a wall is not the best option.
