The wall is unnecessary, especially now that President Trump is trying to do what so many of us have demanded - enforce the existing laws. By all accounts, illegal immigration is down, way down. I give Trump credit where it is due, including to have the common sense to not let the government be shut down by insisting the wall be funded.
It turns out the that solution to the illegal immigration problem may well be simple resolve.
The billions that would be wasted on a wall can be put to better use in other, more worthy infrastructure projects.
Aside from the 'surge'--all those poor little waifs who managed to show up at the border from all over at the same time, sans parental supervision?
Get real. Our economy is spanked by the Obama years, and with Trump saying he'll have the laws enforced, there may be fewer coming across, but the smugglers are getting plenty of heroin in (even the fentanyl laced stuff).
Failure to put up some sort of physical barrier will make a difference, if not now, then in the long run. Putting the barrier up, now when it will be cheaper (more people need the work) than it will when the economy is rolling (who wants to go down there and work when there is plenty right at home) will ensure policy is set, at least from the outside.
When the economy is rolling and there is a Democrat in office again, the lack of a barrier will do absolutely nothing to hinder a renewed flow of illegals, and DHS and the DOJ won't either..
Build it, you have it. Rely on present circumstance to keep people out later, and you'll be overrun.