In 2015 U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump issued a proposal to build a wall along the Mexico-U.S. border. The wall would extend along the 1,900 mile border and would prevent illegal goods and people from entering the U.S. In 2013 the Government Accountability Office reported that the border patrol had intercepted 61% of individuals who had attempted to cross the border that year. Analysts say that building a wall along the entire border is impossible since it parts of it contain rocky, uneven terrain. Proponents argue that the wall will cut down on the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. Opponents argue that the wall is impossible to build and illegal immigration into the U.S. has declined significantly since the 2008 financial crisis.
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@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes
@9GMZCN2Republican 2yrs2Y
Because the southern border has had millions ove ILLEGAL immigrants coming in all the time and our government does absolutely NOTHING about it. Instead of them thinking that it’s a problem they think it’s a good thing and try to financially aid them with money, phones, and housing!!! We do need to build a wall because how else would we stop this??? And if they’re allowed to vote, (which is the goal) there will never be another republican president…..WHICH IS THE GOAL!!
-a 12 year old.
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican6mos6MO
It definitely would make sense that democrats would want the illegals to be able to vote, so they can always have the majority and the republican will never get as many votes. Though most democrats are also against illegals being able to vote, its some of the other parties that want the illegals to be able to vote in elections.
@9GN7L7J2yrs2Y
If they are illegal then they are illegal, make them screw off at the border unless they can become a registered citizen of the US.
@9PHL3Z91yr1Y
The fact that this is written by a 12 year old would be apparent even without the signature. Nobody has "let illegal immigrants vote" as a goal you conspiracy theorist weirdo-- not sure which adult you heard that from but hopefully you stopped listening to them.
@9GNDKHK 2yrs2Y
The border wall needs fully built to cover every inch of the southern border. Any documentary with the border patrol agency clearly shows that the areas with the wall in place are able to be secured, managed, and reacted to by law enforcement agents in a timely manner. The vast majority of illegal immigrants come in through the gaps and areas where there is no wall to stop them. A fully established border wall will not fully stop illegal immigrates but it will drastically improve the Federal Border Agency's ability to contain the flow, give agents time to intercept breaches, and at the very least minimize the problem.
@9GNSX592yrs2Y
Immigrants should be allowed into America. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore." By rejecting immigrants entrance into America, we set a standard that we pretend everyone is welcome, but all are not. The border wall needs to be torn down and defunded, unless we want to have our own Berlin wall.
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican6mos6MO
We should not welcome everyone. What about people who are criminals or who are too lazy to work?
@Cuz-I-Know-Stuff6mos6MO
Yes of course we will accept immigrants who apply LEGALLY but most of them sneak in. Most of the illegal immigrants come here to do illegal activities like selling drugs that's why they sneak in otherwise they would apply for citizenship. Also since they smuggle illegal guns into the US, building the wall will reduce that. It will also reduce crimes used with firearms because these smuggled guns are being bought by criminals who can't pass the background check that EVERY firearm dealer has in order to purchase a gun.
-16 yrs old
@9NMMJYC1yr1Y
Laughable analysis by you. No one is against legal immigration.
@B5FVW3D2mos2MO
I think illegal immigrants are a different story. You're talking about immigrants, and not illegal immigrants. The illegal immigrants have brought so many terrible things over the border, and all across the United States. The only thing that would help these things disappear is a wall and a heavier military presence at the southern border.
They will find way to go over it and take it down theres no use expensive and useless USA is in dept for a reason
@B5FVW3D2mos2MO
This is the exact reason why there should be a heavier military presence at the border as well.
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican6mos6MO
We could use the money that we are currently using to help the illegals, and divert that to fund building a wall instead. I'm pretty sure in the long run using the money to help the illegals is more expensive than funding to build a wall
@9GNT3XBProgressive2yrs2Y
We first need to understand why people are coming into our country before we think about the border. They could be refugees of something undocumented, or they could be migrants for similar reasons. Building a wall isn't going to do much other than temporarily fix the issue. If people are desperate enough, too, they will likely find a way over the wall to escape any conflict or natural disaster that they are facing within their country if they can't wait to stop and ask for help.
@B5FVW3D2mos2MO
A refugee or asylum seekers would apply through legal means and they would be documented. If the wall is effective, and if there is a heavier military presence at the border, they won't find their way over the wall.
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican6mos6MO
if they really are a refugee, they should be trying to get in through legal means. If they are entering illegally, that means they know that they aren't really a refugee, and the US won't accept them in, so they have to cross illegally.
@9GNTFY62yrs2Y
America is a place that has always welcomed and been built upon immigrants. Now when people are fleeing their country in desperation, we want to keep them out?
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican6mos6MO
We only let the ones who are fleeing from their country due to war, not for economic reasons, and all the wars are currently in the middle east. There is no war in our hemisphere, so there is no reason to let people from mexico and central america to be immigrating to the US illegally.
@9GLF8NY2yrs2Y
@9GYK9DV2yrs2Y
many immigrants move to the U.S for a better life escaping the wars going on in there home land or just to provide their kids with a better chance of education
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No
@9F56TK6Republican2yrs2Y
Top Disagreement
Can I just walk into Mexico or any other country in the world with no identification and set up shop to live? No I will be immediately jailed and deported. Why do our politicians act like we are the only country where the border should not matter. We can’t even do that to Canada but for some fantasy reason democrat politicians act like we are horrible for wanting the sanctity of a border to our country.
@9FB5YRX2yrs2Y
Because the whole idea behind America is that of freedom and liberty. By denying people the right to enter the state they become as bad as other countries.
@C0nsensu5Frog2yrs2Y
While it's true that America stands for freedom and liberty, we must remember that every country has a right to control its borders and ensure the safety of its citizens. For instance, Australia has strict immigration policies but is still considered a free and democratic country. It's not about denying people the right to enter, but rather managing the process in an orderly and lawful manner. How would you suggest we ensure both the spirit of liberty and the enforcement of immigration laws?
@9XH53CN 8mos8MO
We're not denying people their right to enter the state. We're denying them when they do it illegally. Every country (regardless of how long it takes) has channels and proper procedures people have to follow. Allowing people to ignore the rules sure is a huge slap in the face for the people who take the time follow the rules and do it legally.
@9VNVYBC9mos9MO
also it would be very expensive a waist of tax dollars
@9F9PGKNWomen’s Equality2yrs2Y
Well, our argument over the wall is due to discrimination. All races commit crimes no one is special. Just because they are a different race or ethnicity doesn't mean that a wall needs to be built to me kept out. When Americans travel, they expect fairness, so why can't we give the same?
@@1876-Elbert8mos8MO
When Americans travel. Legally. They don't just go into countries illegally.
@9XH53CN 8mos8MO
When Americans travel internationally, it's done legally. Americans go through the proper channels in order to receive passports, etc. Allowing immigrants to come in illegally feels like a slap in the face for the immigrants who follow the laws and procedures.
@9FBJZCJ2yrs2Y
They see immigrants as a threat but with proper background checks, and if the have never been deported or had any problems with the law, they should be let it. Yes some people are bad and there are cartels that bring in drugs but if people are there to check them instead of sending them to immigration facilities, they wouldn't have people trying to literally break in, they should have more security and more precautions.
@AbaloneTedRepublican2yrs2Y
In 2019 alone, over 850,000 people were apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border. Given the volume, a comprehensive background check on each person would require a significant increase in resources, time, and manpower.
Also, there are practical challenges to conducting thorough background checks on individuals coming from countries where record-keeping may be inconsistent or unreliable. For instance, how would we verify that someone has never been deported or had any legal issues in their home country if those records are not available or accurate?
Moreover, we must consider the potential impact… Read more
We already have lots of border security. And even if we didn't it's wildly unethical to deny other human beings in a desperate situation access to the safety and security we can offer them.
@@1876-Elbert8mos8MO
We do? We did. And then we got our fabulous 'Border Tsar' Kamala Harris!
@8LC79N5Republican 2yrs2Y
5 million illegal entries in less than three years that we know of. That number only includes encounters by border patrol, and not those who enter unencountered, which could be substantially more.
I agree we have a major issue at the border. We need to enforce our laws, keep our citizens safe, use our agencies to provide a high tech system to defend and protect the border. Once that is done, we can create a path for citizenship for illegals in good standing
@9G42DHR 2yrs2Y
We should stop illegal immigrants from entering our country. That's how another 9/11 can happen. But NOOO, our bull*** president Biden welcomes all into the US.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
Actually, Biden has continued, and even increased, the construction of Trump's border wall, so I'm not sure why you're under the impression that Biden is pro-immigration. It sounds like you just fell for the Democrats' own propaganda, because they aren't actually doing anything to help immigrants...
@@1876-Elbert8mos8MO
Really? What about that time he and our dear 'Border Tsar' Kamala decided to start tearing down said wall?
@CapitolLayla2yrs2Y
https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2023/08/31/border-families-record-crossings-biden/
"The U.S. Border Patrol arrested at least 91,000 migrants who crossed as part of a family group in August, exceeding the prior one-month record of 84,486 set in May 2019, during the Trump administration. Families were the single largest demographic group crossing the border in August, surpassing single adults for the first time since Biden took office.
Overall, the data show, border apprehensions have risen more than 30 percent for two consecutive months, after falling sharply in May and June as the Biden administration rolled out new restrictions and entry opportunities. The Border Patrol made more than 177,000 arrests along the Mexico border in August, up from 132,652 in July and 99,539 in June."
@9NMMJYC1yr1Y
Terrorist attacks are coming. The Dems have blood on their hands.
@Renaldo-MoonGreen 9mos9MO
Hating foreigners is what cause terrorist attacks.
@9RZ44L211mos11MO
The way another 9/11 will happen is if we are disrespectful to foreigners
@9FZCW77 2yrs2Y
Yes this is true,I have heard so many stories when people use different kinds of tactics to enter usa illegaly.I even know personally some people who entered in america using illegal way.
@9G2ST282yrs2Y
I agree with building the wall because it will help our economy help keep out drugs and it’s not fair to the citizens that legally got across the boarder.
@Renaldo-MoonGreen 9mos9MO
Help the economy? Immigrants take the jobs that US citizens won't take like janitors.
Also the wall is extremely costly and destroys the economy not help it.
@9FFZH3TRepublican2yrs2Y
If we dont control the amount of illegal immigrants coming into our country, the american people will begin to struggle for things such as jobs, homes, food, and everything needed for the good American people.
@9FG29GH2yrs2Y
Make it easier to allow illegal immigrants into the country. Also have a limit to how many can come to america for an extended amount of time.
@9F7W5QW2yrs2Y
I don’t see why we would want murderers and drug dealers in our country. If they want to come to the US do it legally. Even though not all of them are bad people the majority of them are.
@9RZ44L211mos11MO
according to Cato.org, the percentage of illegal immigrates that committed a crime in Texas in 2018 was 785 people per 1000 people while the native born population’s ratio was 1422 of 1000 committing a crime
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No, and we should adopt an open border policy
@9F4H9R42yrs2Y
Top Disagreement
There's a reason our homes have both walls AND doors. It allows us to keep those we want out, out, while granting access to those we want in. Same with our country.
@9FB553J2yrs2Y
The country is an abstract, it's not an actual property owned by the government. It is a collection of houses and unowned land.
That's a very thought-provoking viewpoint. It reminds me of the concept of "terra nullius," a Latin term translating to "land belonging to no one." Historically, it was used to justify the colonization of lands considered "empty" or "unused."
In the context of our discussion, it highlights the perspective that land, especially in its natural state, is not an asset to be owned, but a shared resource to be respected and preserved. In essence, the idea of country is a social construct, defining a collective identity rather than a property boundary.
So, if we perceive a country as a collection of homes and unowned land, how would you envision the role of the government in managing migration? Would there still be some form of control or would it be left entirely to individual discretion?
@9FB2NJM2yrs2Y
Considering our country like a home is selfish. Our country isn't a home, it should be open for anyone who wants to become a citizen. A home is your own personal property, but no one owns the United States.
I see your point, comparing a nation to a home might oversimplify things. The U.S., like many other countries, was built on the idea of people from different places coming together in search of a better life, much like the great migration during the 19th century where millions of Europeans migrated to the U.S. for a better future. If borders had been closed back then, the U.S. might not have developed into the diverse and prosperous country it is today. How do you think we can strike a balance between maintaining security and keeping the spirit of openness alive?
@9F9MLNY2yrs2Y
Homes also have windows, chimneys, and doggy doors, which are weak points that allow for people to sneak into them. A wall would be ineffective at keeping people out of the country.
@9FB35M82yrs2Y
Homes and countries are not the same thing. Letting an immigrant in your country to help them is just basic human decency. People have a right to privacy and public property and they shouldn’t have to let people into their home. This position is not contradictory.
@9F75C272yrs2Y
That means that more people who are members of cartels, gangs, etc. will enter the country which will lead to more drugs being on the streets which will then lead to more people dying from them, especially in cities like Portland where drug laws are completely abolished.
@9F7P7JC2yrs2Y
There's a reason our homes have both walls AND doors. It allows us to keep those we want out, out, while granting access to those we want in. Same with our country.
@9F7WS8W2yrs2Y
The drug problem in the United States and the amount of people in the United States is mainly because of the open southern border which allows people and trafficking of drugs and weapons and even people illegally.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No, this would be too costly and ineffective
i could pay for it
@B2JDWS35mos5MO
Theoretically, if this wall were to be built, it was cause a whopping sum of 21.6 billion dollars estimated to build it.
@9WSLLKW8mos8MO
Illegal immigrants are being given housing and money by the governments which is hurting our economy while many of our homeless citizens and veterans are on the streets without any housing or money.
@9FJF593Republican2yrs2Y
The Border Wall kept our country safer for us in the United States. I believe that this wouldn't be costly if we didn't take it down.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, but make it a high-tech surveillance barrier instead of a physical one
@9GG57S62yrs2Y
Modern technologies used in modern airports seem to be successful all over USA in stopping and tracking criminals, and illegal immigrants.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, and Mexico should pay for it
@9FJ6CXC2yrs2Y
Why should a country have to pay for something that is insulting to them as a nation, that they necessarily want, and that derives from racist beliefs?
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican6mos6MO
Because it is their fault we need a wall, they are not helping us stop the illegals that are coming from their country. If it was the other way around, if millions of America for some reason wanted to go to Mexico without going through the necessary process, Mexico would want the US to help them stop it.
@9F7YKXW2yrs2Y
Mexico has been weakening America's position by allowing people to come to our great nation through theirs. It is time for them to be punished and we should do this by making them pay for a wall.
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican6mos6MO
Well said. Simple and straight to the point.
@9F76JY92yrs2Y
we need the border because we are our own country. You reside in the country you were born in and you try your best to fix the country. If you have a positive impact plan then you would be allowed to come over. mexico should pay for this so they could stop problems going on in there country while also enforcing military
@9RZ44L211mos11MO
The Mexicans have been trying to fight the cartels but they have gotten so out of hand that now they can’t do anything about them
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican6mos6MO
Are you saying Mexico has more bad guys than good guys?
@9FJ5Z832yrs2Y
They should not have to pay for it because it is the US’s idea to build the wall in the first place.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No, but increase our military presence along the southern border
@9FS2W2R2yrs2Y
yes we do, because the illegal immigrants are coming into the country illegally, yes i know its because the legal way to get into the country is way too tedious and i think we should reform the process to gain citizenship too.
@9FNQMJX2yrs2Y
We should build a wall, we need our military worried about real issues of danger, not make them spend time worrying about things that can be avoided if people just stay in their country. BUild a wall
@9FLJB8V2yrs2Y
It would be nice to put the cartels in the ground watch one cartel video and tell me they are a terrorist organization.
@9FLKNW72yrs2Y
While yes there may be a lower amount of immigrants that risk trying to enter the United States, increasing our military presence on the border will A lower the amount of military we have available if we need to use it to help out an ally or defend against an attack, B there will still be immigrants that can sneak in past out military. If we just put a wall there, we won’t need to use as many military resources.
@ISIDEWITH6yrs6Y
No, keep the current wall but do not build more of it
@9FPPHL4Republican2yrs2Y
Obviously the current wall is not a deterrent to illegals coming into the US and the wall needs to be completed in order to secure our border. The current influx of illegals into the US is causing a huge problem in many areas and American citizens are having to pay for it all. In addition, the current influx of drugs has increased significantly and is the cause for so many young people dying not to mention the increased crime. It needs to stop. Right now it is out of control.
@9FSQJN22yrs2Y
Over 10,000 illegal immigrants cross the border every day. If they are allowed access to healthcare and free housing, a long with financial aid, it will only increase taxes on the average American while they are not fairly paying their taxes both federal and state wise.
@9FPXQWD2yrs2Y
I think we should build it all because we do. not need illegal immigrants in the country, they can come over but they have to do it legally and be able to become a trusted, working citizen, because if we let everyone come over illegally it will cause overpopulation and could cause other issues because they are illegal
@9FPY3RN2yrs2Y
They can also bring in more drugs allowing more us citizens to die. We are also spending billions of dollars to keep the wall from being built which makes no sense at all. Especially when we could use the money for other things
@9FP6RLL2yrs2Y
The current wall is not securing our border enough and drugs are still flooding across. Human trafficking is still a major issue and illegal immigrants are still flooding across the border at record numbers.
@8LXM2H35yrs5Y
I don't have enough knowledge for an opinion pertaining to this.
@46492CWLibertarian5yrs5Y
Yes, but not to keep people out, solely for aesthetic pleasure.
@9CJY7NW2yrs2Y
Thats stupid honestly. You wasting money because you think a wall looks neat. I am against a wall, but pro putting millitary near the border, or keeping the aready existing wall there.
I understand your perspective about the potential wastefulness of building a wall solely for aesthetics. Instead, we could utilize the funds to enhance our border security in more effective ways. For example, investing in advanced surveillance technology could provide a more cost-effective and efficient solution. This could include drones, infrared cameras, and ground sensors to detect illegal crossings. How do you think we could balance enforcing border security while also upholding humanitarian values?
@95HMCM83yrs3Y
What do you mean by Aesthetic pleasure?
Deleted4yrs4Y
No, but increase border patrol, and improve our visa program. A wall would be a waste of money.
@957QQY73yrs3Y
No, but abolish the 1965 immigration system and establish a brand new immigration system that will benefit the American people.
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