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Weighing the Pros and Cons of US-Mexico Border Barrier Immigration Issue Affects Economy, Human Lives and Message to the World byJennifer McFadyen The southern border of the United States shared with Mexico spans almost 2,000 miles. Walls, fences, and virtual walls of sensors and cameras monitored by the U.S. Border Patrol are already built along one-third of the border (approx.- imately 670 miles) to secure the border and cut down on illegal immigration. Americans are split on the border barrier issue. While most people are in favor of increasing border security, others are con- cerned that the negative impacts do not out-weigh the benefits. The U.S. government views the Mexican border as an important part of its overall homeland security initiative. Cost of the Border Barrier The price tag currently sits at $7 billion for border fencing and related infrastructure like pedestrian and vehicle fencing with lifetime maintenance costs expected to exceed $50 billion. The Trump Administration and Mexican Border Enhancement As a major part of his platform during the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump called for the construction of a much larger, fortified wall along the entire 2,000-mile-long Mexico–United States border, claiming Mexico would pay for its construction, which he estimated at $8 to $12 billion. Other estimates brought the wall cost closer to $15 to $25 billion. On Jan 25, 2017, the Trump administration signed a Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements Executive Order to commence the building of the border wall. In response, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said his country would not pay for the wall under any circumstances and canceled a scheduled meeting with Trump at the White House, seemingly straining relations between the two presidents. With the possibility of Mexico paying for any part of the wall apparently off the table, the Trump administration used existing funds to begin construction of a small section of the new wall, along with improvements to existing sections of the wall in early March 2018. On March 23, 2018, President Trump signed an omnibus government spending bill dedicating $1.6 billion to the construction of the remainder of the wall. As he signed the bill, Trump referred to the $1.6 billion as “an initial down payment” on the estimated nearly $10 billion needed to fence the entire border. The funds will pay for construction of about 25 miles (40 kilometers) of a new wall along levees in the Texas Rio Grande Valley, as well as repair and upgrades to existing walls and anti-vehicle devices. History of the Border Barrier In 1924, Congress created the U.S. Border Patrol. Illegal immigration increased in the late 1970s, but it was in the 1990s when drug trafficking and illegal immigration had a major uptick and concerns about the nation's security became an important issue. Border Control agents and the military succeeded in reducing the number of smugglers and illegal crossings for a period of time, but once the military left, activity again increased. After the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S., homeland security was again a priority. Many ideas were tossed around during the next few years on what could be done to permanently secure the border. And, in 2006, the Secure Fence Act was passed to build 700 miles of double-reinforced security fencing in areas along the border prone to drug trafficking John Moore/Getty Images News/Getty Images and illegal immigration. President Bush also deployed 6,000 National Guardsmen to the Mexico border to assist with border control. Reasons for the Border Barrier Historically, policing borders has been integral to the preservation of nations around the globe for centuries. The construction of a barrier to safeguard American citizens from illegal activities is considered by some to be in the best interest of the nation. The pros of a border barrier include overall homeland security, the cost of lost tax revenue and strain on government resources and the past successes of border enforcement. Rising Cost of Illegal Immigration Illegal immigration is estimated to cost the United States millions of dollars, and according to Trump, $113 billion a year in lost income tax revenue. Illegal immigration is considered a strain on government spending by overburdening social welfare, health, and education programs. Border Enforcement Past Success The use of physical barriers and high-tech surveillance equipment increases the probability of apprehension and have shown success. Arizona has been the epicenter of crossings by illegal immigrants for several years. In one year, authorities apprehended 8,600 people trying to enter the U.S. illegally in the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range used for air-to- ground bombing practice by Air Force pilots. The number of people caught crossing San Diego's border illegally has also dropped dramatically. In the early 1990s, about 600,000 people attempted to cross the border illegally. After the construction of a fence and increased border patrols, that number dropped to 39,000 in 2015. Reasons Against the Border Barrier The question of the effectiveness of a physical barrier that has workarounds is a significant concern to those opposed to a border barrier. The barrier has been criticized for being easy to get around. Some methods include digging under it, sometimes using complex tunnel systems, climbing the fence and using wire cutters to remove barbed-wire or locating and digging holes in vulnerable sections of the border. Many people have also traveled by boat through the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Coast or fly in and overstay their visas. There are other concerns such as the message it sends to our neighbors and the rest of the world and the human toll of crossing the border. In addition, a border wall affects wildlife on both sides, fragmenting the habitat and disrupting essential animal migration patterns. Message to the World A segment of the American population feels that the United States should send a message of freedom and hope to those seeking a better way of life instead of sending a "keep out" message at our border. It is suggested that the answer does not lie in barriers; it entails comprehensive immigration reform, which means these immigration issues need fixing, instead of building fences, which are as effective as putting a bandage on a gaping wound. In addition, a border barrier divides the land of three indigenous nations. Human Toll on Crossing the Border Barriers won't stop people from wanting a better life. And in some cases, they're willing to pay the highest price for the opportunity. People smugglers, called "coyotes," charge astronomical fees for passage. When smuggling costs rise, it becomes less cost-effective for individuals to travel back and forth for seasonal work, so they remain in the U.S. Now the whole family must make the trip to keep everyone together. Children, infants and the elderly attempt to cross. The conditions are extreme, and some people will go for days without food or water. According to the Human Rights National Commission of Mexico and American Civil Liberties Union, almost 5,000 people have died attempting to crossing the border between 1994 and 2007. Environmental Impact Most environmentalists oppose the border barrier. Physical barriers hinder migrating wildlife, and plans show the fence will fragment wildlife refuges and private sanctuaries. Conservation groups are appalled that the Department of Homeland Security is bypassing dozens of environmental and land-management laws in order to build the border fence. More than 30 laws are being waived, including the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/mexico-border-fence-pros-and-cons-1951541 Updated by Robert Longley GEOG 102: World Regional Geography CTA #2 Essay Topic: Bordering on Mexico “We have people coming into the country or trying to come in, we're stopping a lot of them, but we're taking people out of the country. You wouldn't believe how bad these people are," Trump said. These aren't people. These are animals. Gregory Korte and Alan Gomez, USA TODAY Published 6:13p.m. ET May 16, 2018 | Updated 10:03 a.m. ET May 17, 2018 On Mexican immigrants: "They're bringing drugs, crime and are rapists." Trump Tower Atrium in Manhattan on June 16, 2015 "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people." Newsday.com staff Updated November 9, 2016, 2:48 AM "We have no country if we have no border," Trump said during the third presidential debate on Oct. 19, 2016, reiterating his desire to build a wall. "We have some bad hombres here and we're gonna get 'em out." Responding to criticism of a policy that has led to more than 2,000 children being separated from their parents at the border, Trump tweeted that Democrats were to blame: “They don’t care about crime and want illegal immigrants, no matter how bad they may be, to pour into and infest our country, like MS-13,” he wrote, referencing a violent criminal gang based in Central America. Trump tweet June 19, 2018.

Instructions

Write at least a 300-word essay (minimum) which fully answers the questions below. Your word count does not include your essay title or your references. Be sure to re-visit the first CTA assignment and use the same process and instructions to work through this current CTA. You should also refer to the CTA grading rubric. Remember to include in-text citations (using page numbers from your e-text), essay title, and reference section. Your SafeAssign similarity score should be no more than 12%. USE ONLY THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES TO EVALUATE the credibility!! It should be clear in your response that you have used these articles as your primary sources (attached to the assignment). National Immigration Forum Fact Sheet (refer to attachment) Weighing the Pros and Cons of US Border Wall (Refer to attachment) History of the US Mexico Border (Refer to attachment)

Questions to consider:

Be sure to eliminate any political, social, or personal opinions until you write your closing paragraph. · What are the pros and cons of border enforcement between the U.S. and Mexico? · Who should pay for the border? Why? · Is it a problem that people are able to cross the US border illegally? Why or why not? · Is there evidence to suggest that these immigrants are violent criminals? · Does illegal immigration strain public services? · Are stronger border enforcement measures needed? · Should illegal immigrants be given a path to citizenship? · Is it ethical, necessary, and/or legal to separate families at the border? Why or why not?

Finish your essay by answering these questions:

· Do you believe that physical barriers are the best way to keep undocumented immigrants from entering the US? Why or why not? · Does the US, as a major world power, have an ethical, moral, and/or legal responsibility for those who want to immigrate to this country? · If it were your decision, how would you control the nation's borders?

Use the following tips to craft your essay response:

Six Critical Thinking Skills You Need to Master Now By Will Erstad on 01/22/2018 No matter what walk of life you come from, what industry you’re interested in pursuing or how much experience you’ve already garnered, we’ve all seen firsthand the importance of critical thinking skills. In fact, lacking such skills can truly make or break a person’s career, as the consequences of one’s inability to process and analyze information effectively can be massive. “The ability to think critically is more important now than it has ever been,” urges Kris Potrafka, founder and CEO of Music Firsthand. “Everything is at risk if we don’t all learn to think more critically.” If people cannot think critically, he explains, they not only lessen their prospects of climbing the ladder in their respective industries, but they also become easily susceptible to things like fraud and manipulation. With that in mind, you’re likely wondering what you can do to make sure you’re not one of those people. Developing your critical thinking skills is something that takes concentrated work. It can be best to begin by exploring the definition of critical thinking and the skills it includes—once you do, you can then venture toward the crucial question at hand: How can I improve? This is no easy task, which is why we aimed to help break down the basic elements of critical thinking and offer suggestions on how you can hone your skills and become a better critical thinker. What is critical thinking? Even if you want to be a better critical thinker, it’s hard to improve upon something you can’t define. Critical thinking is the analysis of an issue or situation and the facts, data or evidence related to it. Ideally, critical thinking is to be done objectively—meaning without influence from personal feelings, opinions or biases—and it focuses solely on factual information. Critical thinking is a skill that allows you to make logical and informed decisions to the best of your ability. For example, a child who has not yet developed such skills might believe the Tooth Fairy left money under their pillow based on stories their parents told them. A critical thinker, however, can quickly conclude that the existence of such a thing is probably unlikely—even if there are a few bucks under their pillow. 6 Crucial critical thinking skills (and how you can improve them) While there’s no universal standard for what skills are included in the critical thinking process, we’ve boiled it down to the following six. Focusing on these can put you on the path to becoming an exceptional critical thinker.