Introduction
The United States receives thousands of illegal immigrants. Consequently, the issue of illegal immigration is discussed largely by U.S officials with signs of a lasting solution remaining just but a mirage. Mexico remains the main source of illegal immigrants into the U.S. A 2010 survey revealed that more than half of the immigrants illegally entering the United States are from Mexico (Aruaz 12). In essence, this has implied that if the problem of Mexican illegal immigrants can be handled, then the illegal immigration problem can be halfway solved, but how? This is a question many still find no conclusive answer to.
Great wall construction debate
In the recent past, there has been a proposal to construct a Great wall between the United States and Mexico, a proposal which has faced as much opposition as support. It is essential to mention that while this approach would in effect reduce cases of illegal immigration from Mexico, it is not without its downsides and unanticipated challenges. The debate over the handling of more than 11 million illegal immigrants into the United States is tricky and so is the question of whether or not to build a Great wall between the U.S and Mexico, which supplies most of these illegal immigrants (Aruaz 56).
Positive and negatives
Many reasons have been put forth in support of the construction of this wall. To begin with, proponents have cited that this wall will drastically reduce the number of illegal immigrants who cost the U.S millions of dollars in education, medical, and other social aspects (Fairchild and Bernard 11). However, this argument ignores the input of these illegal immigrants into the U.S economy, taking into consideration the fact that most of the odd jobs which Americans shy away from are undertaken by these illegal immigrants (Chavez 45). Additionally, many proponents argue that these porous borders act as the routes through which terrorists gain access into the United States. Nonetheless, critics have been quick to point out that there are no documented cases where terrorists have been found to have entered the U.S through the U.S-Mexico border.
On the other hand, opponents to the construction of this wall have pointed out that the heavy cost to be incurred in the construction of this 700-mile fence is a waste and far outweighs the benefits to be derived from the same. Additionally, they emphasize that there is no proof that this wall will lower illegal immigration. Mexicans keen on entering the U.S could still find a way over, under, or around. Proponents however argued that it will definitely reduce illegal immigration, free the economy of social pressures and also reduce the level of security presence required at the borders. In a clear indication that the porous borders pose a security threat, one researcher said,
Indeed, their growing size and movements within the U.S. raised concerns about domestic security in the post-9/11 era, the costs of immigration enforcement, and the “challenge” that they represent to national values and solidarity (Huntington 36).
However, such an assertion is not sufficient to justify the use of a huge sum of money in constructing a wall that will not only have a huge opportunity cost but will also interfere with wildlife movement across the borders.
Conclusion
While immigration is a real problem, the government should consider options other than spending such a huge sum of money on a wall when thousands of families go without food and healthcare. More importantly, it must not be forgotten that most of those who claim to be Americans today are non-natives. The great wall between U.S and Mexico is therefore an idea that should be discarded.
Works Cited
Aruaz, Jared. Jaula de oro: Growing up as an undocumented Latin immigrant in the United States. University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. 2010. Print.
Chavez, Leone. Shadowed lives, Undocumented immigrants in American society. Irvine, CA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. 2009. Print.
Fairchild, Steven. T., and Bernard, Simpson. “Mexican Migration to the United States Pacific Northwest.” Population Research and Policy Review 23.3 (2009): 1-16.Print.
Huntington, Saunders. P. “The Hispanic Challenge.” Foreign Policy 141.2 (2004): 30-45.Print.