[SmoothTalker]

"I vote for the National Guard on the border instead of a fence.
"

How many troops would it take to secure a border that long?

[HardStarboard]

>>>"I vote for the National Guard on the border instead of a fence. <<<

You put troops on the border, you will eventually have controversial deaths, whining liberal groups, hand wringers, and chaos of one kind or another. Hard feelings on both sides of the border will escalate. The perpetual cost of maintaining troops on the border is huge. Not a win win situation.

A fence alters the current situation. It is no longer easy to cross - it takes an overt physical and criminal act. Nobody can claim he "just blundered" across the border. It makes those that attempt to cross think "these guys up North are really working to make it dificult" - as opposed to the present - "hey Paco - its just a short walk and your in." A fence changes their mindset!

Now you team the fence up with strong border enforcement for climbers and tunnelers (not necessarily troops but Border Patrol)....with aggressive "rules of engagement" and pretty soon the folks south of the fence get the idea that "it ain't happening no more."

Then, and only then, do you have border control.

[Americanexpat]

How many troops would it take to secure a border that long?

______________________________

Exactly. There are not enough. You would have to place them at least within sight of each other to be somewhat effective and then they would have to work shifts. However, a good wall, with enough troops to properly patrol it with vehicles will do the job. Then we would have to deport the illegals already here which would be one hell of a job too. Once that was done the money saved the first year from over taxed hospitals and schools and social programs would pay for the wall.