HispanicVista Columnists

Seal the border theory is a false illusion

By Patrick Osio, Jr./HispanicVista.com

May 16, 2005

 

    The “secure the border” theory goes something like this: Build a series of three parallel fences with barbed wire separated by “no-man’s zone”; stadium type lighting and ground sensors; sufficient Border Patrol and military troops to swiftly react to any intrusion. This will only allow passage through controlled ports-of-entry. Does the theory guarantee to stop the intrusions? An examination of similar or identical theories actually put in practice sheds some light.

In the similar category falls the Berlin Wall attempting to keep people in not out. The wall was well lit; there was barbed wire and plenty of military personnel. It was effective, as more were killed than got out over or through the wall. The South and North Korean no-man’s land fences separating the two countries is another similar barrier. This particular zone also has thousands of land mines between fences to discourage trespassing.

So it would seem that the “secure the border” theory put in practice might be effective using the two above examples. Except for some points – while the barriers are effective were located, in East Germany as in East Berlin thousands managed to flee avoiding the fence, and in North Korea thousands flee through other passages. So while barriers may stop entries/escapes, other means are then found to gain the entry/escape.

And then there is the identical example – parallel walls/fences with barbed wire, stadium lighting, no man zones, and heavy presence of guards do exist, as well as controlled “ports-of-entry” where people are processed, only those authorized to enter is determined, people searched, and possessions subjected to x-ray inspection.

And yet, smuggling thrives.

These places are called prisons, where it is as easy to get drugs as it is on the streets of any city.  But in theory this is not supposed to be – how can the theory that calls for sealing a place tight and it’s done be wrong?

And that is because in the cases in point of humans crossing a border, or prison inmates wanting drugs there are realities that cancel out such theory: The proven laws of supply and demand, human imagined or real needs, and human need and greed all converge to render useless the “seal the border” theory.

As in the case of drugs entering prisons, though seemingly impossible, has to be either by very cunning prison visitors, corrupt guards or extremely well concealed drugs in mail packages or all three. But what drives the activity and the risk is DEMAND, which in the case of drugs, the profits can be huge.

In the case of illegal immigration the same concept applies – demand for cheap labor creates the risk of crossing the border illegally by those who do not consider the “cheap labor” to be low pay since their meager earnings where they are at is far below that which is offered across the border.

Consider that in Mexico the very poor, who are the majority of the country’s citizens, earn around $5 per day, if they can find the work. In Mexico wages are for a day not per hour. Work across the border pays at minimum $6 per hour or $48 per day for 8 hours or 860% more than in Mexico.

Part of the greed of the demand side is not paying overtime or providing work related benefits, and in many cases even paying in cash to avoid employer mandated contributions. The needy are willing to work far more hours without overtime because the return on their day is measured on the total earned for the day, not based on how many hours were worked. So a 10 hour day is $60 – equivalent to 12 days in Mexico.

As long as the two elements exist – demand and need – with each so much to gain, they find a way to come together.

Were Mexicans to earn $5 an hour in Mexico risk crossing the border? No likely, since earnings would only increase by $8 for the day, which would be absorbed by living expenses. But that impoverished Mexicans will earn $5 an hour any time soon, is wishful thinking on their and my part.

Can the demand be reined in the US? Yes, it can but also not likely, as that would require those who come up with illusionary theories to concentrate on real solutions, and thus far they and their office holder allies have not shown any desire or capacity to do so.

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Patrick Osio, Jr is Editor of HispanicVista.com (www.hispanicvista.com). Contact at Posiojr@hispanicvista.com