WHY keep the border?
The trail of illegal substances many undocumented people bring across is a problem. The ongoing drug wars come over to the country, especially along the Arizona border. In 2009 the amount of marijuana carried across the border was about 700 tons, more than any year before. Border Patrol can only do so much as the people that carry the drugs over, or the drug mules, astound with their methods of smuggling.
Various methods of drug trafficking shown above.
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"Mexican drug cartels take in between $19 and $29 billion annually from U.S. drug sales." -CNN |
Other than drug trafficking some find it crucial to close the borders to human trafficking. About 14 to 17 thousand people are trafficked in each year for "labor, sexual exploitation, [and] domestic servitude."
Immigrants crossing over are also a problem among residents living on the border. Property owners along the border have reported robberies, break ins and have found dead bodies on their property. These all being caused by people trying to get across. It is the citizens right to feel safe in their home, and the government's responsibility to protect it's citizens. That's where the Border Patrol comes in.
Economic impact.
"It has been estimated that between one-half and three-quarters of undocumented immigrants pay federal and state income taxes..." - Darrell M. West, Brain Gain
Illegal aliens may be putting the government in a difficult position economically. It is true that they pay some taxes but not to the full extent of a citizen. The graphics below show the deficit in government spending due to the low amount of tax received, which in turn raises the taxes of legal residents, and citizens.
The government has invested over $300,000,000 dollars in security, surveillance, and walls.
Over 18.5 billion dollars are spent yearly on border security. |
The right of the citizens to peacefully live along the border has been compromised because of the illegal activity. The government is working today help it's citizens live without interference by the illegals, nears their homes and economically.