How effective would a border wall be between Mexico and the US in stopping the smuggling of illegal drugs and illegal migration (Essay Sample)

HOW EFFECTIVE WOULD A BORDER WALL BE BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE US IN STOPPING THE SMUGGLING OF ILLEGAL DRUGS AND ILLEGAL MIGRATION
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Summary
Border walls have been found to be ineffective in preventing illegal immigration and illegal drug trade, particularly when some areas are unprotected. The construction of the Israel border wall led to a significant decrease in car theft between Israel and West Bank, but the criminal activities spilled over to other unprotected areas in Israel. While walls will minimize criminal activities and illegal entries, those bent on breaking the law will always find alternative routes. The U.S-Mexico border is vital in preventing illegal immigration and controlling illegal drugs within the border. The existing border has already succeeded in minimizing illegal entries into the United States. In 2019, the government has arrested over 50,000 illegal immigrants trying to breach the border wall. The border wall has also led to some economic benefits for the Unites States. With the border walls, illegal immigrants have reduced leading to increased employment opportunities for the unskilled workers in the United States. Studies, however, demonstrate that border walls are constructed primarily for economic reason. Illegal immigrants, especially those smuggling counterfeit goods, pose an economic threat. Border walls are ineffective in preventing young people from joining or becoming sympathisers of terrorist groups. With technological advancement, terrorism ideologies are learnt online. Illegal immigrants have learnt to breach border walls and use alternative means to get into the United States. Drug business still thrives in the United States even the construction large sections of the border wall with Mexico. The bottom line is that border walls alone cannot effectively help to prevent illegal immigration or sale of illegal drugs.
Introduction
With the increased number of illegal immigrants into the United States, President Trump administration planned an ambitious plan to construct the U.S-Mexico border wall. It is estimated that almost half of the illegal immigrants in the United States come from Mexico. Illegal immigrants are perceived to be a threat to the United States’ security and economy. Counterfeit goods and illegal drugs also get into the United States via the porous borders. Immigrants are also viewed as a threat to the United States’ economy. The following research will address the question of whether the U.S-Mexico border wall will effectively achieve its objective of stopping illegal immigrants and illegal drug trade.
Literature Review
Several studies have been conducted with a view to determine the effectiveness of border walls in controlling crimes, minimizing illegal immigration, and preventing illegal trade. In one of such studies, Carter, David, Poast, and Paul (2017) sought to determine why nations build walls using variables political economy, security, and border stability. The researchers focused their study on 62 borders walls constructed between 1800 and 2014. The focus was also in countries that include Saudi Arabia, France, Israel, and the Soviet Union. Authors hypothesised that contrary to the common belief, border walls are meant for other purposes. The study indicated that economic factors were more likely to predict the construction of walls between bordering countries. The researchers established factors such border wall disputes and civil war were not strong predictors of border wall constructions. Instead, the study established that economic factors, particularly the economic inequality between two countries was a strong predictor of wall construction. The rationale, according to the study, was that economic inequality increased risks for illegal immigration and illegal trade.
According to Pew Research (2017), the United States hosts more than 10.5 million undocumented immigrants. Further, the statistics indicated that close to 50% of the illegal immigrants are from Mexico. The rest are from other countries in southern America and Asia. At the same time, illegal trade, especially in contrabands, wild life animals, and contrabands also increased at the same rate. While Mexico’s economy has grown in the past decade, the inequitable distribution of resources and contributes to higher number of people living in poverty compared to the United States. It is estimated that almost 34% of the Mexico population live in poverty. This economic inequality explains the increased illegal immigration into the United States and reason for the rise in illegal trade. Therefore, the border wall, as indicated by Carter et al. (2017), is constructed for economic reasons. The United States considers illegal immigration and illegal trade to be a threat to its own economic stability.