The Wall

This entire “Build the Wall” nonsense could be eliminated if both sides would just relax and actually communicate with each other.

First, let’s look at what President Trump is actually asking for.  He wants $5.7 billion dollars.  But how is it to be used exactly?  I have not seen any details, although I have heard some reports say that not all of that is for actual construction.   I have read that this is to cover 230 miles of the border.  Exactly where is this portion of the wall to be built?  Will this replace an existing fence or wall, or will it be constructed where there is currently no barrier at all?   Will we need to use eminent domain to get the land needed for any portion of this 230 miles of wall?

I would be more inclined to support the $5.7 billion dollar funding request if I knew what I was buying.  We all ridiculed Pelosi for saying we had to pass the law to know what was in the law.  This sounds like the same thing.  Mr. President, please just provide the details on the exact breakdown and time frame you are talking about.

I would also be more inclined to support the $5.7 billion if the wall construction was just part of a project that would include the use of modern technology and an increased number of border agents as well.

We also need to look at how much of the border actually needs a physical, man-made barrier.  Take 20 minutes and use Google Maps and Google Satellite to zoom all the way in on the actual border and look at it all. 

It’s plain to see that there are vast sections of the border that not only do not need a wall, but where physical construction of any type of barrier would be impractical.  There are hundreds of miles of border that are so isolated that a wall would serve no purpose.  If someone did manage to even reach the wall, they would have days to get over it before any law enforcement would arrive to stop them.  And then they would have hundreds of more miles to go to reach civilization.  Other parts of the border are mountainous and just as isolated.

Then there is the Rio Grande river.  Parts of it have carved out a canyon that has steep cliff hundreds of feet tall on each side, rendering crossing impossible for anybody not named Evil Knievel.  Other parts of the river are flatter, but any wall, or even a fence, constructed there would dam up the river.  Any wall there would eventually be washed away, and if it wasn’t, would violate water rights treaties we have with Mexico that prevents either country from interfering with the flow of the river.

But what is pretty clear from looking at the Google Satellite is that where the border is anywhere near a town or road, there is already either a wall, fence, river, or impassable terrain already in place.

The truth is no reasonable person can think that a wall across the entire southern border is even feasible.  But no one wants a border that can be easily crossed at will, either. 

The solution is to make sure adequate security is used all along our border.  Key crossing areas, such as those near major highways and large cities, need a physical wall.  In other locations, a strong fence would suffice.  But the terrain itself is all that is needed along vast parts of the border.

But the most aggravating part of this issue is the fact that wall is a solution in search of a problem.  Illegal border crossings have been declining for the past ten or fifteen years, and are at their lowest levels in decades.  Most of the drugs entering our country come across through legal ports or from the ocean.  While this does not mean we can relax our border security, there is no reason that this border issue should be a major issue at this time, and it certainly does not even come close to being any type of emergency.

Both sides should work together to come up with a solution that address all aspects of our immigration system.  Remember, illegal border crossings are just a symptom indicating a much large issue.  Addressing real immigration reform is the answer.