[kellynla]

" If we met that cost it would be $7 billion dollars just to build it let alone staff it and maintain it. Do we then build one to cover the Canadian border? Are we going to mine or beaches as well when the wall doesn't keep everyone out?"

Do you know how much it is costing the taxpayers of CA,TX,NM and AZ alone to allow illegals to STAY HERE?

SIXTEEN BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR! every year...year end and year out!

at the costs you posted, we could build TWO WALLS one for Mexico and one for Canada and still be ahead of the game at the end of the year!

[ol painless]

" If we met that cost it would be $7 billion dollars just to build it let alone staff it and maintain it."

It could be a lot cheaper. We could use cheap Mexican labor to build the fence. We could then make sure that they finish pouring concrete on the Mexican side, then they can't get back in.

[blasater1960]

Dont forget other states too. Washington state is around a billion /year too (welfare only). What troubles me is not just the dollars but the culture. Our schools are around 50% Hispanic and it heavily affects the "quality" of the experience. It is increasingly like our kids are going to Mexican schools instead of the reverse.

[defenderSD]

I don't have time to explain this right now, but that sounds like another faulty economic anaylsis of illegal immigrants. You have to look at the entire US economy, all workers and business people and all taxes and benefits received by everyone under two cases: 1) with illegal immigrants, 2) without illegal immigrants. Then you look at the net change to the entire economy and tax revenues. I think with this kind of economically correct analysis, illegal immigrants generate about as much (or more) tax revenue in the entire US economy as they receive in benefits and educational costs.

Now, I will don my flame-proof jacket, but that is basically the truth on the economic issue. But there are other reasons, namely crime and national security, for why we need to essentially seal the borders ASAP.

[Fry]

If I thought writing a check for $7 billion dollars would prevent illegal immigration, I'd say do it now. I want a secure border. My problem is, I don't think a fence would work. I don't know of any physical barrier this length that has ever been built that achieved the goal of keeping people out. If you know one, tell me.

My point is, we don't have to spend billions on something that won't work when we could be solving the problem by NOT spending money. No social services or education for illegals and harsh penalties for employers of illegals. With no source of income or support the vast majority will stay or go home. Most of these people are not MS13 members, they are manual laborers.

[bella1]

I live in a very small county in Michigan (20,000 in the county) and we get more than our fair share of illegals during the warmer months. My good friend is the Spanish interpretor for the local courts and is paid $80 an hour to interpret for all the illegals when the come to court (and they do, often). For a small county government, that adds up quick, not to mention that the school (population K-12 around 600) has to provide an interpreter and remedial teacher for the kids, the doctors clinics pretty much write off their medical care, and most dont have car insurance. STOP THE INVASION.