The Myth of the Trump Wall: Why Border Patrols Remain Essential

President Trump's proposal for a border wall has been a staple of his political agenda for years. However, the reality of constructing such a wall, and its ongoing maintenance and security, presents significant challenges. This article explores why border patrols remain indispensable even in the context of a built or partially built wall.

The Reality of a Border Wall

The idea of a border wall is often presented as an impregnable barrier that would prevent illegal immigration and enhance national security. However, the logistics of such a wall are fraught with uncertainties. If the wall is not completed — which could take anywhere from 20 to 50 years, or even longer, as future administrations may cancel the project due to cost overruns — border patrols will remain a critical component of border security.

In the meantime, interim border barriers that are already in place serve as a temporary measure. These barriers, while not as robust, still require vigilant monitoring and patrols to ensure their effectiveness. The idea of simply building an embankment with some fencing and calling it a wall is far from sufficient and would not be acceptable to President Trump, who has spoken clearly about his vision for a proper wall.

Monitoring and Apprehension

Assuming that the wall is eventually built, it would still need to be monitored and patrolled. How can we ensure that the wall is not just an impediment but also a preventative measure against illegal border crossings?

Lets imagine a 2000-mile wall with advanced monitoring technologies such as lasers, radars, and seismic detectors. Even with these tools, each mile of the wall would require at least two personnel and two vehicles for a round-the-clock operation, including shifts for relief for each crew. If we assume three shifts per day, this comes to a minimum of six personnel per station, plus extra personnel for leaves, sick days, and backup shifts. This configuration would amount to 18,000 people monitoring the wall and another 4,000 vehicles.

Maintaining the wall and the associated technologies is another challenge. Hypothetically, if 10 support and logistics personnel are required to keep the equipment functional, the total number of people and vehicles needed would balloon to around 20,000. This workforce would include skilled individuals for maintenance and repair, as well as support staff for logistics and supply networks.

The Role of Border Patrols

Monitoring alone does not cover apprehension. To effectively enforce border security, additional personnel are needed to patrol the areas and apprehend illegal immigrants. Assuming a similar structure where two people per shift cover 100 miles, this would require 180 people and 360 vehicles, not counting additional personnel and support staff for callouts, including air support with helicopters and skilled pilots.

Considering all these factors, it becomes apparent that a significant and comprehensive presence of border patrols is necessary, even if a wall is built. The wall, once built, would still require regular inspections, repairs, and security patrols. The infrastructure required for these operations is substantial and would far outweigh the initial construction of the wall.

The idea that Mexico will pay for the wall is also unlikely. The U.S. government would bear the financial burden of the wall, its maintenance, and the associated personnel and logistics. This underscores the impracticality of the wall as a standalone solution to border security issues.

Conclusion

The proposed border wall, while intended to enhance border security, faces numerous practical and logistical obstacles. Border patrols remain a crucial component of border security, regardless of the presence of a wall. The costs, personnel requirements, and technical challenges associated with maintaining such a wall highlight why border security measures must remain robust and comprehensive.

It is clear that the notion of a wall serving as a sole solution to border security issues is fundamentally flawed. A more effective approach would involve a combination of physical barriers, technological advancements, and a robust and diligent border patrol system to ensure comprehensive security at the nation's borders.

Keywords: Trump wall, border patrol, border security, cost overruns, maintenance