Nearly two years after President Bush signed theSecure Fence Act into law, American citizens are split virtually down the middle about building a fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. At present, just over half of Americans support the high-tech fence that would divide the United States from Mexico.
One exception is the West Texas city of Del Rio.
Because the wall would be built far from the urban center of Del Rio, the town’s residents are not concerned that it will interfere with their quality of life. Efrain Valdez, the mayor of Del Rio, stated, “There’s nothing here.So if you put a fence here, it really doesn’t bother us."
Reports show that in areas where the 15-foot wall has been constructed, illegal entry into the United States has dropped significantly. “This wall works,” stated U.S. border patrol agent Michael Bernacke, “A lot of people have the misconception that it is a waste of time and money, but the numbers of apprehensions show that it works.”
However, the wall is incomplete in many places and construction has fallen behind schedule. Tunnels have been discovered below the walland migrants have found increasingly innovative ways of crossing the reinforced border.
"You can build three or four fences along the border, but people will continue to cross because of the magnet of work," said one successful people-smuggler who operates out of Tijuana.
Even if the wall does successfully keep illegal entry at bay, many question whether its cost will ultimately outweigh its benefits. After figuring in the construction and maintenance of the wall, financial analysts put its price tag in excess of $50 billion.