President Donald Trump insists that a wall, built along the US/Mexican border, is the only way to curtail illegal immigration and protect our country from "bad" elements. Forget the fact that statistics show illegal immigration has declined to its lowest point in decades. Forget the fact that more violent crimes are committed, percentage-wise and overall, by those legally in the US than those who enter the country illegally. Let's put that aside for the moment and let's look at a real solution.
Putting a wall along the border isn't going to significantly affect the flow of drugs into our country. Most of those are through ports anyways. It won't stop "bad actors" who want to enter our country... they'll find a way to get in. And even illegal immigrants will find a way under, over or through the wall. Building such a wall is extremely expensive and maintaining it will be a drain on our tax dollars that will never end.
Even if it did lessen the flow of illegal immigrants, which is doubtful, it's only treating the symptom. What we need to do is treat the cause.
People come to the U.S. for opportunity. A better life. A higher standard of living. So why not allow them to have these things without leaving their country?
Instead of spending 5.7 billion or more on a border wall, take that money and invest in other countries. I'm not talking about charity. We're not giving money away. We are loaning money and expecting a return on our investment.
If a country doesn't have clean water, has a sub-standard infrastructure and many of the people are unemployed... then invest in those things. Send some of our American know how to these countries. Build water purification plants. Build roads. Build businesses. We can send knowledgeable workers to these countries to help set up and train local workers to be self-sufficient. Teach them to earn a living providing for their own country. It will boost the economy of these countries, raise the standard of living and provide opportunities for people to thrive in their native land.
Plus, these loans we make are repaid from the businesses that are created. As these businesses grow, they will make payments towards the initial investment. Instead of spending money on a non-revenue generating barrier, the money that was used is repaid with interest.
Sure, there are some countries where such an investment might be too risky. So we don't invest there. But when these countries see the benefits reaped by other countries that are participating in this venture with the U.S., they'll either get their act together so we can invest or see their population dwindle as citizens emigrate to countries that are thriving. And this won't mean them only thinking of the U.S. They'll go to countries closer to where they came from, boosting those countries up even further.
Plus it's a great P.R and economic win for the United States. All these countries that need help will look favorably on the U.S. and become markets for our goods. Trade agreements favorable to U.S. companies will boost our own economy at the same time. It's also a diplomatic win, as these countries will no doubt establish very good relations with our country and look to us as a world leader.
What will happen to the flow of illegal immigration into the U.S.? It will dwindle even further as people no longer feel the need to leave their native land to find opportunity, a better standard of living and a better life. As far as "bad actors" who try to camouflage themselves by blending in with groups trying to get into the United States, they will find such groups becoming sparser, strangling that avenue of entry into our country.
And since we are seeing a return on our investment, we can use that money to assist law enforcement in reducing the flow of illegal drugs into this country, plus work on improving our own infrastructure, tapping sources of renewable energy and boosting our own economy.
Is this a delusional plan? Obviously, I don't think so. There will be challenges. A lot of research will be needed to best implement this strategy. But in the end, we will have a planet where more people are healthier, happier and living a life of dignity.
Or we could waste our money on a wall.
What do you think?
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