Candidate Calculator 2008 Election

Border Fence

Summary

In October 2007, Congress authorized $1.2 billion to build a fence along one-third of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 700-mile-long fence would include standing barriers and 330 miles of virtual fence, which would be composed of radar, sensors, cameras and other devices. The proposed fence is modeled after the 14-mile fence separating San Diego and Tijuana.

Estimates of illegal immigrants in the United States vary from 10 – 20 million, and the rate of illegal immigration rises annually, more than 1 million a year for the past several years. Almost all of these illegal immigrants enter the United States by crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

Yes: Support a Border Fence

Illegal immigrants cost the United States billions of dollars in education, health care and public safety. Millions of illegal immigrants have under-the-table jobs that go untaxed, costing the government billions in lost income tax revenue. The 1.2 billion proposed for the new U.S.-Mexico fence, even if cost overruns occur, will save taxpayers billions, reduce crime, and ease stress on overburdened social welfare, education and health programs. 

The U.S.-Mexico fence is also important for national security. Estimates of non-Mexicans who annually cross the border are as high as 100,000 from countries as varied as Afghanistan, Angola, Jordan, Qatar, Pakistan and Yemen.

The San Diego fence is a success. Apprehensions of illegal immigrants s have dropped from 100,000 in 1993 to 5,000 in 2005, indicating that fewer illegal immigrants are attempting to cross. The United States can expect the same success with the newly authorized fence.

You support this or similar arguments.

No: Against a Border Fence

Illegal immigration is a problem that a U.S.-Mexico border fence will not solve because illegal immigrants will find other ways to enter the United States and holes in the fence to use. Border agents frequently report that they deport the same illegal immigrants numerous times, because after they are returned to Mexico they simply try again. People this desperate will find ways to enter the United States.  

A fence will change the pattern of illegal immigration—but for the worse. Many illegal immigrants enter the United States for seasonal work and then returned to Mexico. A U.S.-Mexico fence will increase the risk and cost of crossing; since the construction of the San Diego fence, the fee that traffickers charge illegal immigrants for passage has risen from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Because of higher risks and costs, more illegal immigrants will attempt to remain and bring their families, rather than return home and leave their families behind.

Supporters of a fence often claim national security concerns. However, they do not support building a fence along the U.S.-Canada border, where suspected terrorists have been arrested. Furthermore, a U.S.-Mexico fence will damage fragile desert ecosystems and disrupt migration patterns of wildlife. And finally, the fence is antithetical to the American values of an open and free society that was built by immigrants.

You support this or similar arguments.  

Additional Information

 
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