Is Mexico Paying For the US Border Wall?
A few Pesos at a time
Donald Trump promised he would build a wall to keep illegal immigrants out. He also swore that Mexico would pay for it.
While his administration did not accomplish much in these 4 years, getting Mexico to cough up “border wall” monies may deserve some mention among his accomplishments.
When Trump first mentioned his obsession with keeping illegal Mexicans out, those he touted as “rapists” and “very bad people” the proposed cost was expected to be between $8 — $12 billion.
He said Mexico would pay for it. The cost has since surpassed the $11 billion mark since early January 2020, and there remain many more miles to go before he can sleep!
The initial length of the proposed wall would be 1,000 miles, that figure was later amended down to 450 miles with a completion date by the end of his first term (Trump apparently never planned to leave office).
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 400 miles of the new border wall has been completed as of October 29, 2020.
To see a video of ongoing construction — click the link below https://www.cbp.gov/video/opa/bws/border-wall-construction-loop-
The first term is ending, still no border wall completion!
Show me the money?
America has collected a few meager payments for border wall damages — in US dollars, according to former border patrol chief Gloria Chavez.
The fines are collected in lieu of being imprisoned for damages to United States property aka the border wall. This agreement was struck with the full cooperation of authorities on both sides of the fence, pun intended.
The deal
Anyone caught attempting to or cause actual damage to the border wall will face prosecution.
Those damaging US property in southeastern California would be arrested and would pay a fine instead of going to jail.
Per the deal, the “fence cutters” would be prosecuted in Mexico and the fines sent back to America to cover the costs to repair the breach.
It appears the steel wall can be easily breached using a cordless saw device that retails for an estimated $100. With “special” blades, the saw can slice through the barrier’s steel-and-concrete bollards in minutes, according to anonymous reports from border employees.
Once the steel is cut, it is easy to push aside creating holes large enough for adults to pass. Citing reports from the Washington Post, the drug cartels have a vast array of resources and have also used ladders to scale Trump’s “impenetrable” wall.
Smugglers and cartels have much stake in this game and are not giving up anytime soon. They have been cutting the same areas that were welded to repair the breached fence as the metal is compromised and already softer.
They apply a type of putty, that looks like a welded repair to the breached areas in an attempt to trick agents into believing the fence was repaired.
One is forced to ponder — why use taxpaying dollars to build a steel wall that does not offer greater security than a wire mesh fence?
The wall is not impenetrable (see below).
Monies recouped
According to reports, the United States has recouped monies to the tune of $1,373 from four prosecutions with another 15 cases pending.
The fence is costing the US government roughly $20 million a mile. At this rate, it will take a mighty long time for any significant restitution to be had.
Final thoughts
Trump campaigned hard on the “build a wall” ideology in tandem with racist ideologies. He had no idea how much money would be spent in the process, needlessly. To date over $11 billion dollars and the wall is far from being complete or actually preventing drug cartels or illegal immigrants from entry into the country.
At a return of 5 or six convictions and payments over the past year, when will $600 dollars pay for this wall?
Now that we are smack dab in the middle of this COVID mess, this $11 billion could serve to save lives and feed the hungry. Eleven billion could help unemployed families stay in their homes with warm and covered spaces and not left to sleep out in the open or under the icy bridges, begging for alms.
In the richest nation on earth, those of the most unfortunate among us should not have to go hungry but should be cared for with the help of the government using the taxpayers' monies.
