Offer Mexico $20 billion in exchange for the land 10-20 miles south of the existing U.S.-Mexico border. The cities within this land would need to be evacuated within one year. This land would completely be federal land, so there's no issue with property rights from landowners on the border, with 5 checkpoints, and we can open military bases on it.
A wall simply cannot be built on most the current border, especially along the TX line. Some parts of the border have high cliffs or has the Rio Grande River. Building a wall on our side of the Rio Grande is tacky and will destroy the natural environment of the riverbank.
We need this 10-20 mile buffer zone. This will cut a diagonal swath from the Gulf of California all the way south of Brownsville TX. I understand that cities such as Juarez, Tijuana, and Mexicali would have to be abandoned, but with the $20 billion, these people and businesses can relocate. We would own a piece of Baja California as well.
This buffer zone will eliminate illegal aliens smuggled by coyotes. It will destroy the drug cartels. It will destroy tunnels and drug trafficking at the source. It will improve commerce, trade, and relationships between the two nations.
Many FReepers don't know about the history of the Border Wars from 1910 - 1920. There were a series of raids by Mexican guerrillas on border towns, and efforts by General Pershing and the U.S. Army failed to eradicate the problem.
Our current border is irregular. It is time for a straight-line border, complete with a wall and backed by the U.S. military, that provides a buffer zone between the US and Mexico.
I like the cut of your jib, FRiend.
A lot of Rio Grande border area is a beautiful national treasure and it would be a crime to sully it with a fence. I support sullying THEIR side, though: its already pretty nasty, even out in the middle of nowwhere, with junked cars and litter.
I agree that it is simply not feasible to build in many areas due to all the cliffs and rugged terrain. Folks get incorrect the idea it’s all just rolling hills.