Why The Wall Is Not The Solution To Illegal Immigration

[corbe]

Why The Wall Is Not The Solution To Illegal Immigration

by David Thornton
8 hrs-edited

H.L. Mencken famously said, “There is always a well-known solution to every human problem — neat, plausible, and wrong.”

Donald Trump’s wall has been a centerpiece of Republican immigration policy since 2015. The bruising fight over wall funding led the current government shutdown that, at this point, is certain to last into the new year. Aside from funding, however, there is another big problem with the wall: It won’t do what it is intended to do.

The idea of the wall is established on the premise that a physical barrier running the entire length of the US-Mexico border is the only way to prevent illegal immigration. The total length of the US-Mexico border is 1,989 miles (3,201 km) and the sheer length of the border would make the construction of a wall along the southern border a massive undertaking.

Still, a wall of that length is not impossible to build. China’s Great Wall is 5,500 miles (8,850 km) long. Contrary to popular belief, however, the Great Wall is not entirely composed of the wide stone walls that we know from pictures. While about 3,900 miles are constructed wall sections, there are also 225 miles of trenches, and 1,400 miles of natural barriers such as hills and rivers.

Natural barriers are also present along the southern US border. While many Americans picture the Mexican border as a flat, desert wasteland, in reality, there are many different types of terrain. As pictured in an interactive map from USA Today, the border geography ranges from urban areas in places like San Diego and Laredo to the sheer rock cliffs of Texas’ Big Bend to coastal marshes and salt flats along the Gulf of Mexico near Brownsville, Texas.

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https://www.themaven.net/theresurgent/contributors/why-the-wall-is-not-the-solution-to-illegal-immigration-oKiCpiPGcE60KPLGc0YM3A/

[truth_seeker]

We need improved border security, however designed by experts.

Wall, fence, wence, cameras, drones, gates, people etc.

Republicans have supported this in election, after election. Democrats have, too.

The big problem is now that it is Trump, previous supporters changed their tunes.

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

Dear Mr Thornton:

CRAM IT!

[skeeter]

We need improved border security, however designed by experts.

Wall, fence, wence, cameras, drones, gates, people etc.

Republicans have supported this in election, after election. Democrats have, too.

The big problem is now that it is Trump, previous supporters changed their tunes.

The rats along with the gop voted for a wall back a few years ago. Which was just another bullsh*t political demonstration for the rubes because now they refuse to fund its construction. Never intended to.

The attractive thing about a wall is it will be there after the democrats take control back. It won't take as much effort and resources to control the flow, which the rats obviously really don't want to do. It'll be the last line of defense before they give up the border control charade completely, but at least then they'll have to vote to tear it back down.

[Fishrrman]

Posted elsewhere today, but I'm gonna repeat it here because it's so appropriate:
=======
Here's a pic of the India/Bangladesh border barrier, which runs about 600 miles in length.


Here's a pic of the Hungarian border fence, which appears to be working quite well:


Here's the fence Greece built on the Turkish border:


Here's what Turkey built along the border with Syria:


Gee -- as far as these countries are concerned, "fences work"...

[corbe]

    Here's a picture of the Great Wall of China which didn't protect them from invasions by no less than four times the Xiongnu, the Jurchens, the Mongols, and the Manchus pierced the ancient defensive barrier.  /JS

[libertybele]

We need improved border security, however designed by experts.

Wall, fence, wence, cameras, drones, gates, people etc.

Republicans have supported this in election, after election. Democrats have, too.

The big problem is now that it is Trump, previous supporters changed their tunes.

Actually the Secure Fence Act of 2006 was passed by both Houses and signed by 'W'...yet it was never fully funded!  So here we sit.  Neither party wants the Fence for the own selfish reasons; meanwhile American loses her sovereignty day by day while our politicians play the blame game.

[Smokin Joe]

    Here's a picture of the Great Wall of China which didn't protect them from invasions by no less than four times the Xiongnu, the Jurchens, the Mongols, and the Manchus pierced the ancient defensive barrier.  /JS

No barrier will completely protect against a determined and militarized enemy.

But it sure helps keep the riff-raff out.

[corbe]

                  Say it ain't so @Smokin Joe



Us Texans are running out of sane American Women and need an alternative

[Smokin Joe]

                  Say it ain't so @Smokin Joe



Us Texans are running out of sane American Women and need an alternative

Out of the fryin' pan, into the fire....

I read somewhere East Bloc wimmen make wonderful lovers/wives/etc.

[LegalAmerican]

Common sense says a WALL/ BARRIER is a good thing, and will slow down illegals.   Israel's is effective 99.9%.   So, some people say since it is not 100 %..don't build it at all?  ALCATRAZ HAD ESCAPEES!   SHYT HAPPENS.

So don't even try?  Right?  SAD, negative, people.

[Absalom]

Posters get it but this jurno goofball does not!
The effectiveness of a Wall is NOT its physicality, rather
it's the symbol which it expresses to its opponents.
The Roman Empire, w/the exception of Hadrian's Wall
in Britain, had no need of walls for a simple reason.
It told the world, "Hate as long a you Fear"!
Those that ignored that adage paid the price, among
them Carthage which it buried in the sands of Tunisia.
The same is true for various barbarian tribes.
That is the symbol we need to radiate!!!

[LegalAmerican]

Latin women are beautiful when young. But when they start to get old, real UGLY sets in.  Never fails. Same with the men.

[Smokin Joe]

Posters get it but this jurno goofball does not!
The effectiveness of a Wall is NOT its physicality, rather
it's the symbol which it expresses to its opponents.
The Roman Empire, w/the exception of Hadrian's Wall
in Britain, had no need of walls for a simple reason.
It told the world, "Hate as long a you Fear"!
Those that ignored that adage paid the price, among
them Carthage which it buried in the sands of Tunisia.
The same is true for various barbarian tribes.
It is the symbol we need to radiate!!!

True enough! Nothing says "Keep out" like a wall. A couple of rusty strands of barbed wire aren't much of a statement of resolve in keeping people out.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

True enough! Nothing says "Keep out" like a wall. A couple of rusty strands of barbed wire aren't much of a statement of resolve in keeping people out.

Oh, I dunno.

I visited Israel earlier this year and saw this type of fencing worked pretty well to keep out the hostiles.
No alone of course, but the many machine guns owned by the soldiers on patrol seemed to buttress the argument of disallowing the uninvited.

[Smokin Joe]

Oh, I dunno.

I visited Israel earlier this year and saw this type of fencing worked pretty well to keep out the hostiles.
No alone of course, but the many machine guns owned by the soldiers on patrol seemed to buttress the argument of disallowing the uninvited.

Either way, it isn't a 'welcome' mat. There is something on the other side someone wants you to keep out of, and the message is clear.