Tell that to the Israelis.
Sorry, but you are wrong. Increased enforcement and rapid deportation, along with a complete shut-down on the ability of illegals to work here (by passing strong legislation penalizing businesses for hiring them) is the ONLY long-term answer. The "fence" is a pipe dream. Even if the "fence" is built, do you honestly think the flow will stop?? It might slow down some, but in the main it will simply move "offshore" to our thousands and thousands of miles of coastline, and to our northern "friend" Canada--whose border is so long that it is impossible to "fence".
Along with everything you said, of which I agree, I think that there are areas of the border where a partial fence may be in order. A more cost effective method may just be building more vehicle barriers to help curtail smuggling.
There are laws now in place to keep illegals from working, I would have to see them enforced before I get fired up about new laws.
If a fence is a pipe dream, then solving the border issues will not be possible. A fence will slow illegal traffic to a manageable number, then enforcement is possible. The border is now in reality undefined in most areas. Enforcement is spread out willy nilly in hope of catching what they can. A fence would allow enforcement to concentrate on the actual border, so for that reason would be more effective.
I have lived on the border over 30 years and am living with the results of many failed plans. If the government is so sure they can close the border without a fence, and make it impossible for illegals to work here without documents, then they need to prove that part of the plan works before they move foreward with any plan to allow more in. For years I thought the problems could be solved without a fence, I am now convinced otherwise.
Tell that to the Israelis.