[dirtboy]

This notion of a impenatrable wall, real or imagined, is just a pipe dream.

Nice strawman. Even the Berlin Wall had escapes. We don't need to go that far.

If we make crossing the wall a 75 percent probability of getting caught, and seeking employment as an illegal a 50-50 chance of getting caught, then you have an 87.5 percent chance of getting caught. Since most border crossers have to pay a lot of money to coyotes, it makes it a poor investment - whereas now, the odds are, they won't get caught.

So we don't need to rise to your standard of an inpenetrable wall. Just one to signfiicantly slow the flow, when used in conjunction with additional enforcement within the country.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Even the Berlin Wall had escapes. We don't need to go that far.

My point exactly. Strangely somehow you disagree.

[inquest]

So we don't need to rise to your standard of an inpenetrable wall. Just one to signfiicantly slow the flow, when used in conjunction with additional enforcement within the country.

And it could have a snowball effect as well. As the number of border jumpers is reduced, it will be easier to detain them instead of playing catch-and-release. That in turn will make for even more of a deterrent, which in turn will reduce the number even further. Then we can concentrate more on internal enforcement (deportations, etc.), which would provide even more of a deterrent.

Just think of what effect it would have on someone living in Mexico if his friends and kin constantly keep returning home after being rebuffed in the attempt to get in the U.S., complete with tales of how arduous the trip was, and ultimately all for nothing. The psychological effect would be considerable.