[datura]

Short form:

It all depends upon one thing: Getting the approval of the Feds for private companies to arrest/hold/detain the illegals on their own (under supervision, of course, just like the private prisons in use throughout the US).

Once arrested trying to cross, the illegal is placed into one of the "camps". No pay. No lawyers. Administrative hearing or arraignment, followed by a set amount of time put to hard labor. Building a barrier. They are charged for their food, their housing, medication, you name it. If they work hard, and stay straight, they can pay off their arrest quickly - or on time. If not, they begin to "owe" the company. Additional time to work it off. Multiple offender? Longer time yet.

Yes, it sounds just like slavery. Sounds like the flow of illegals would come to a screeching halt real quick. You want in? FOLLOW THE DAMNED LAWS!!

[Ramius]

Maybe it would be better to try some realistic ideas first.

You're going to use illegals to build a fence? Gee... they'd never figure out that's a good way to build the tunnels.

[planekT]

How does the company make any money building the fence even with slave labor? There's material costs and administrative costs. Plus, we have to house them and feed them since they are our prisoners, so to speak. Medical care too, of course.

Oh, wait, let me guess. It's tax payer funded.

Alright then, how much will it cost?

Can't leave out Canada either. What's that fence going to cost?

But then when the fences are built, we'll also have to secure every square inch of ocean shoreline since they'll be taking that route (assuming the fences actually work, which they won't, they could tunnel under it, so you'd still have to guard it).
Now, what is all this going to cost? Got an estimate? I understand the frustration, but hermetically sealing our borders is not possible.