ping
$49 billion presumes we have absolutely no costs currently borne to patrol or enforce the border.
The "estimate" is grossly inflated to alarm the unwitted. $49 billion would work out to $1.96 billion annually to patrol the border. That's $2,685 per mile per day. Which BP agents get that kind of monitary support?
We consistantly construct major four-laned highways for $13-15 million/mile, inclusive of land aquisition. There is no reason maintenance and patrol costs should be anywhere near price-per-mile invested.