Stratfor: Wall No Help on US-Mexico Border Dilemma

The US government shutdown continues as the Donald Trump demands $5 billion to construct a wall along the US-Mexican border. Most analysts suggest a wall is unnecessary. Countries have reason to control borders, including crime control, but a wall will not end the greed behind delivery of illegal drugs and low-wage workers. Terrorists do not enter the United States from the southern border, reports Scott Stewart for Stratfor, whereas multiple terrorism suspects have been apprehended at the northern border. He adds: “beyond this, most of the people involved in terrorist attacks in the United States have been U.S. residents – either citizens or green-card holders – rather than operatives who have entered the country from overseas. And, like the 9/11 hijackers, those few foreign attackers traveling into the United States to conduct operations have generally held visas.” Most immigrants seek work and lack a criminal background. A small number associated with cartels and gangs view the United States as land of criminal opportunity because so many US citizens seek cocaine, heroin, drugs, fentanyl and methamphetamine as well as low-cost labor for the construction, food and other industries. A physical wall along with sensors, cameras, radar and other state-of-the-art surveillance requires personnel who can withstand corruption and respond to breaches. People remain the weak link in US border security. – YaleGlobal