Should the U.S. Build a Wall on Its Mexican Border?

• “Yes”

  

  “In the 1990s, US Got Tough on Both Land Borders–and Canada Responded”

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In the 1990s, US Got Tough on Both Land Borders–and Canada Responded

Christopher Sands

Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

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In response to the first World Trade Center bombing, Congress passed a law in 1996 requiring that U.S. border officials keep a record of everyone who enters or exits the United States. Along with some in the United States who disagreed with the new rules, Canada fought the implementation of the measure, fearing border traffic jams that would damage trade. As a result, entry/exit controls were not in place on September 11, 2001 and neither U.S. administration officials nor the Canadians had the moral authority to resist congressional demands for remedial measures to tighten border security. Canada had to scramble to reestablish its reputation as a reliable neighbor.

The lesson here is that trust is necessary if borders are to be managed in a more open manner. Trust between security personnel in the U.S. government and its foreign counterpart, but also the American public’s trust that the U.S. government is taking border security seriously.

Next Argument

"Yes" Chris Sands

• Why No Wall on the Canadian Border?
  0
• In the 1990s, US Got Tough on Both Land Borders–and Canada Responded
  0
• Maybe Mexico Can Learn From Canada
  1

"Yes" Victor X Cerda

• Exhibit 12 Million – Our Broken Borders
  0
• But it is an Unfriendly Gesture to our Neighbors.
  0
• 'A Fence Will Not Stop Illegal Immigration.' And Your Point is?
  1
• What About the Purple People Eater Breeding Ground? The Cost?
  0

"Yes" AICF

• A Wall Can Contribute to Border Security
  4
• A Border Wall Can Make a Statement
  3
• A Border Wall Would be a New “Berlin Wall”
  0

"No" Center for Bio Diversity

• Environmental Damage is Feds’ Fault
  3
• Slash vs. Trash is a False Dichotomy
  2
• Sacrifice for Nothing
  2
• Waiver of Democracy
  3
• The Government Knows Better
  2

"No" MALDEF

• A Fence Will Not Improve National Security.
  3
• A Fence Will Not Curb Illegal Immigration.
  3
• A Fence is Exorbitantly Expensive.
  3
• A Fence Will Destroy the Environment and Violate Property Rights.
  3
• A Fence Cannot be Built Without Undocumented Immigrant Labor.
  2

Most Objections

• Exhibit 12 Million – Our Broken Borders
  0
• 'A Fence Will Not Stop Illegal Immigration.' And Your Point is?
  1

Wall on the Mexican Border?

• Yes
• No

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