From the time he started his presidential campaigns, President Donald Trump has passionately promoted the idea of building a border wall between Mexico and the United States. Although he was criticized for inadequate policy ideas and precision, Trump had a clear thought to the construction of the wall and gave several details, concerning the nature and appearance. For instance, he asserted that it would be a thousand miles long and between 30 and 50 feet tall. He also indicated that the wall would be impenetrable, aesthetically pleasing, while he constantly corrected reporters who describe it as a fence. To date, President Trump is still determined to construct a wall, although steel or concrete may not be the main ingredients as he had described during his race for presidency. The topic of constructing the wall has raised heated debates. On the one hand, media and Democrats cite that the project is too expensive, ineffectual, dangerous to wildlife, may not end the issue of immigration, and might lower the economic prospects of the United States. On the other hand, proponents believe that building a wall will promote the security of America, discorage illegal immigration, promote the economy, and stop drug trafficking. Although building a wall can be an expensive affair for the country, it might have a wide range of advantages, such asincreasing the internal security, reducing issues related with drug cartels and other crimes, lowering the rates of illegal immigration, and promoting the economy of the United States.
One of the reasons cited by opponents about the construction of the wall is based on the cost. Although the exact amount required to complete the construction is unknown, it is estimated that America will require between 2 and 30 billion dollars (Felbab-Brown, 18). During the campaign, Trump promised that he would make Mexico pay for the construction, but the Mexican administration could not pay, leaving the entire burden on the American people (Ford et al. 193). The sophistication of the wall and the fact that there is no clarity about the exact cost makes the American populace skeptical and question whether the effectiveness of the wall is worth the cost.
Building the wall has also been shown to endanger wildlife. Wildlife biologists and nature conservationists argue that such wall would be catastrophic to the wildlife and their habitat. In essence, the wall will cut through the natural bridge that connects central, north, and southern America, a natural corridor that wildlife has used for many years. The initiative will be putting a barrier through this natural corridor, which will hinder the migration of animals in search of food, water, reproduction, and other resources (Bier 2; Felbab-Brown 19). Therefore, the wall will endanger animal species since the migration and mating patterns will be affected.
Opponents also hold that building the wall might not end immigration and other related issues. As indicated by the Customs and Border Protection, in 2017, 310531 persons were detained while trying to cross the Southwest border illegally. It is also estimated that in the same year, more than 600,000 people overstayed their visas (1). Basically, it indicates that almost two times more persons stay in the United States with expired visas as compared to those who enter the country illegally. Therefore, although building the wall will lower the numbers of illegal immigrants who enter the United States through land, it may not solve the issue of illegal immigration.
Undoubtedly, building the wall will see America reap significantly.. The process would involve installing high-tech devices and cameras to enhance the security of America. It will make illegal crossing difficult and expensive, which in turn will make illegal immigration through land less appealing and accessible ways for terrorists and drug traffickers. Hence, this means that the wall will promote the security of American people.
Illegal immigration, smuggling, and unlawful business ventures might reduce significantly. It is worth noting that illegal immigrants will actually start the journey aimed at crossing over to the United States, but when they face a 30 to 50 feet barrier, they will definitely retreat. One of the arguments against the wall is that people can climb the wall and carry out illegal immigration and trade, which America aims at curbing (Ford et al. 190). However, having to use ladders will not only slows them down, but also limits what they will carry when trying to cross into the Uited States. . Essentially, any truck loaded with drugs, weapons, slaves, and any other illegal products will be restricted by the wall. Hence, the aspect of slowing down the crime will have two main benefits. For instance, it will create time for border patrol to arrive, and will increase the possibility of capture and detention. Therefore, the wall should be constructed to reduce smuggling as well as the proliferation of small and light weapons, drugs, and the cases of human trafficking.
Building the wall will enhance the American economy. Illegal immigration not only reduces tax revenue for the country , but it also adds an extreme burden on education programs, healthcare systems, and social welfare programs. In fact, illegal immigration costs the United States’ government more money as compared to native-born Americans in terms of welfare programs. Constructing the wall could lower the rates of illegal immigration, which in turn would reduce the tax revenue lost each year (Felbab-Brown 15). Additionally, the initiative would increase job opportunities for the American, and hence promotethe economy.
Building the wall can protect private property. Many people across the United States are faced with issues related with robbery and burglary. In various locations, especially those situated near the border, criminals cross the border to steal from the citizens , including cars, which are sold at lower prices back in Mexico. It is worth noting that many of those criminal gangs have no intention of migrating illegally or smuggling goods into the country. Therefore, building a wall can serve as a rational move if the United States wishes to explore the heights of safety and protection of private property.
Ever since he started his presidential campaigns, President Trump promised to build a thousand mile wall on the American and Mexican.boarder. He has been determined to build it years after he became the President. Some people view the construction of the wall as ineffective, wastage of time and resources, and uneconomical. On the other hand, others fully support the construction, indicating that the economic benefits of the wall would outdo the cost. Although building the wall will be an expensive venture for the country, , it will have a wide range of benefits, such as minimizingillegal immigration, protectingprivate property, enhancing home security, eradicating drug trafficking and other related criminal activities, and boosting the American economy.
Works Cited
Bier, D. Why the Wall won’t Work. Cato Institute. May 2017. www.cato.org/publications/commentary/why-wall-wont-work. Accessed Apr. 11 2019.
Felbab-Brown, Vanda. The Wall: The Real Costs of a Barrier between the United States and Mexico. Brookings Institution Press, 2017.
Ford, Lynne E, et al. American Government and Politics Today. Cengage Learning, 2018.
The U.S Department of Homeland Security. Southwest Border migration FY2019. U.S. Customs and Boder Protection. www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration. Accessed Apr. 11 2019.
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