A Stalemate during the Government Shutdown

Looking back on the last few years, I cannot help but notice the deep political divide this country has produced. Whether it has affected your life or not, the U.S. government has been shutdown because of a difference of opinions on the direction of our country. On one side, many say that a wall is ineffective and expensive, a massive undertaking for a small effect on the non-existent immigration problem we face. On the opposing front, many believe that illegal immigration and drug smuggling can be slowed down dramatically by installing a barrier on the southern border.

In 2016, American's spoke by electing Donald Trump to the presidency. Regardless of who won the popular vote (Mrs. Clinton won by .88%), or the Russian meddling theories that have not yet been proven enough to take down the president; Donald Trump is the fairly elected leader of this nation. He was elected with a few promises: To build a wall on the southern border, to have Mexico pay for that wall, and to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and narcotics into the United States.
Because of the monumental tensions we are facing over the 2016 election, there is a major drive to stop the President's agenda. The problem is half of American's wants the goals then candidate Trump laid out. We are in an extraordinary time; where certain elected officials will try to stop the goals that American's voted for.

Let us look at the arguments against the wall:

"It's too expensive"
In President Trump's latest proposal (which was shot down in senate this week), he asked for $5.7 billion for a barrier (1). Many said that the full cost of a "concrete wall" from the Pacific to the Gulf would cost nearly $22 billion. The new plan is to install a barrier in areas with the highest traffic. He also claimed the barrier would not be a giant concrete wall, but a steel slatted "fence" that should cost less and be more visually appealing. In addition to this, Trump wanted $800 million for technological advancements to curb narcotics and to employee thousands more border agents. He also offered 3 years of relief for DACA and TPS recipients. The US Federal budget is $4.09 trillion, $5.7 billion of that is a merge .14% (2). Our Politicians are locking down the government and holding employees hostage for .14% of the total federal budget. Sounds foolish doesn't it?

"Mexico is supposed to pay for it"
American's know one thing for sure; Politicians will lie during their campaign speeches. Many on the right are trying to explain to their colleagues that the meaning of "Mexico will pay for it" should not be taking literally. Through the use of aggressive new tariffs, cutting foreign aid, and reducing the cost of illegal immigration on the taxpayers, the wall will be funded over and over again. The cost of illegal immigration is a highly debated number, ranging from $46 billion to $200 billion. It is estimated that we take in $11 billion in taxes (3) and revenue from illegals. Either way you slice it, the U.S. Taxpayer feels the burden.

"Illegal Immigration is declining"
This is true. As of 2016 there was an estimated 10.7 million illegals in this country. (4) This is a decline from previous years, but can be better. Why not use every available option at our disposal?
"The wall is useless and not needed"
This is my favorite arguments against the wall. Democrats in congress assume they know better than the woman and men working the front lines on the southern border. In a recent survey 89% of border agents polled agreed that a "wall system in strategic locations is necessary to securing the border." (5) Who do the suits in Washington think they are telling our border control agents what they need. Let's use an analogy: If your drains are clogged you call a plumber. The plumber says a drain snake is needed to fix the issue. You as the homeowner tell the plumber, "No, you cannot use that tool. Figure out another way." Who are you to tell the professional how to do their job?
Speaking of jobs; this barrier project is going to be a massive public works project, employing tens of thousands of men and woman in many different fields. That is not just in construction; after the barrier is built we will need people to maintain, patrol and supervise the technology that comes along with it.

"Most illegals are on expired visas"
There is a reason why Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is always in the news lately. They have been working hard to end this. Many on the left encourage sanctuary cities, where ICE is being forbidden to patrol and work, citing violence and inhumane tactics used by the agency. This author will not turn a blind eye to these atrocities, but I will say this: Just as we are not supposed to judge the character of an entire race or people by the actions of a few, we should not judge an ICE officer's character by the actions they are responsible to uphold.

"People will just dig tunnels to go under the wall" or "People will go around the wall through airports or the sea"
This is honestly ridiculous. Yes, there are tunnels that go under the border. We find more and more as time goes on. During the construction, many more will be found, and dismantled. Try to dig a tunnel under 100 tons of steel or concrete, see if that tunnel will be viable. New technology is often discussed being used at the border. Ground penetrating radar and seismic waves detectors can be utilized to detect tunnels (6).

It is also understood that illegals will try other ways to get into this country. This is another reason why we need to hire more Border Patrol Officers at airports and seaports, and allow ICE to continue to do their operations. There are currently many Custom and Border Patrol Officer positions available on USAjobs.gov. These jobs are located at air and seaports throughout the country, as well as the northern border to stop those sneaky Canadians (7).
A wall may not solve all off this country's immigration issues, but it is a step in the right direction to providing more robust control over our southern border.

(1) https://www.npr.org/2019/01/19...
(2) https://www.cbo.gov/topics/budget
(3) https://itep.org/wp-content/up...
(4) http://www.pewresearch.org/fac...
(5) https://www.washingtontimes.co...
(6) https://www.popularmechanics.c...
(7) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob...