Here’s why Trump’s border wall won’t work
For 7th Consecutive Year, Visa Overstays Exceeded Illegal Border Crossings
The 2,000 Mile Wall in Search of a Purpose:Since 2007 Visa Overstays have Outnumbered Undocumented Border Crossers by a Half Million
“WALL!” is a Foghorn for MAGA Nativst Bigots – there has been a Wall since FDR/Truman
America’s Border Wall Is Bipartisan
“In a seemingly stark policy reversal, President Biden announced his administration will build 20 miles of new fences along the U.S.-Mexico border. DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas says Biden’s hand has been forced, as Congress allocated funds for this fencing in 2019, which could not be repurposed. Moreover, Mayorkas argues that Biden has been under pressure from both parties to show decisive action at the border. In short, Biden officials claim that even though he may not want to build a wall, he must, or he will face serious political consequences.
But new fences are not a reversal of the Democratic Party’s agenda. They are part of an extensive history of both Democrats and Republicans selling Americans on the idea that they can stop border-crossings by simply starting a new program or building a big fence. Politicians from both parties have consistently attempted to “close the border,” as if doing so is actually possible, let alone desirable. Biden is not continuing construction on Trump’s border wall; he is continuing to build America’s border wall.
The first border fences built along the U.S.-Mexico border to curb immigration from Mexico began in earnest under Democrats Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. After building fences for decades to stop animals, the federal government shifted its focus when people began migrating in significant numbers from south to north in the 1940s and 1950s.”
“Facing economic distress and American angst with rising tides of labor migrations from Mexico, Democrat Jimmy Carter replaced the fence Nixon had cut with a bigger, stronger fence in 1979. A year before it went up, its design stirred controversy when the contractor stated it would “sever the toes” of anyone who dared to breach it. After public outcry, Carter’s administration redesigned the fence to be plain, but tightly woven, wire mesh topped with barbed wire. Even if that fence did not sever toes, it did tear through Pat Nixon’s bi-nationally spirited park.”
“Republican Ronald Reagan also closed the border for a few weeks in 1985, repeating Operation Intercept. Despite his idea that he could close the border at his whim, Reagan, like First Lady Nixon, demonstrated hesitation about actual border fences. In a 1980 debate with future President George H.W. Bush, Reagan had said, “Rather than talking about putting up a fence, why don’t we work out some recognition of our mutual problems, make it possible for them to come here legally with a work permit and then while they’re working and earning here they pay taxes here.”
“In the 1990s intense xenophobia and public debate about unauthorized immigration escalated in the United States, prompting both parties to move toward physically securing the border. Democrat Bill Clinton’s policies would not just tear through Pat Nixon’s park, they would effectively destroy it. In 1993 and 1994, Clinton launched three separate border operations: Operation Hold the Line in Texas, Operation Safeguard in Arizona, and Operation Gatekeeper in Southern California.
The fences were part of what Clinton referred to as a “get tough policy at our borders.” He used steel surplus military landing mats, which the Army Corps of Engineers welded together, to build an allegedly impassable wall. In the middle of Friendship Park, the Immigration and Naturalization Service built three parallel fences. Multiple fences, they argued, would allow agents to catch fence-jumpers in between them. Clinton’s barriers to humans went up alongside NAFTA, which opened the border to material goods, once again making the border more of a sieve than a seal.
Instead of stopping people from crossing, a more militarized border diverted them to dangerous landscapes, increasing migrant deaths exponentially. In the decade following Clinton’s fences, deaths along the border doubled.”
“In 2006, Bush signed the Secure Fence Act, authorizing 700 miles of double-layered, reinforced fencing. When he left office, he had completed more than 500 miles. Barack Obama continued the work, building 130 more miles of fencing. He also famously funded the Border Patrol and deported more people than any president before him.
Although Donald Trump championed building his wall, his administration only built about 85 miles of new fences. Biden will now add 20 more.”
Trump’s wall: How much has been built during his term?
“The Trump administration say they’ve completed more than 400 miles of border wall since then.
It’s 452 miles (727 km) in total, according to the latest US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) information (4 January 2021).
However, only 80 miles of new barriers have been built where there were none before – that includes 47 miles of primary wall, and 33 miles of secondary wall built to reinforce the initial barrier.
The vast majority of the 452 miles is replacing existing structures at the border that had been built by previous US administrations.
President Trump has argued that this should be regarded as new wall, because it’s replacing what he called “old and worthless barriers.””
Fact check: Trump administration has built more border wall than meme claims
“That figure seems to have grown a bit over the summer, too – on Aug. 7, the San Antonio Express-News reported that of the then-260 miles completed, a total of 5 miles were new.“
Trump broke the law by using military funds for border wall, appeals court rules
Evidence shows Trump’s border wall was an embarrassing failure
Four words – Ladder, Tunnel, Saw, Blowtorch
People are climbing over Trump’s border wall with $5 ladders, report says
“‘Unlike the wall, these ladders are functional,’ a Texas activist tells Texas Monthly“
CBP Has Found 40 Tunnels under Trump’s Border Wall
Smugglers are sawing through new sections of Trump’s border wall
“But perhaps most important was evidence that smugglers repeatedly sawed through the barriers with commercially available, off-the-shelf power tools that cost as little as $100. The Washington Post advanced this story in striking ways yesterday.
“Mexican smuggling gangs have sawed through new segments of border wall 3,272 times over the past three years, according to unpublished U.S. Customs and Border Protection maintenance records obtained by The Washington Post under the Freedom of Information Act.“
To be sure, we learned in 2019 that this was happening. What we didn’t know was how frequently this was happening. We’re not talking about a handful of instances in which a few criminals used power tools; the Customs and Border Protection evidence points to literally thousands of such incidents during the 2019 to 2021 fiscal years.”
The Post added that after smugglers breached the wall with inexpensive power tools, they created gaps “wide enough for people and narcotics to pass through.” The article went on to note, “After smuggling crews cut through, they often disguise the breaches with tinted putty, making it difficult for agents to recognize which bollards have been compromised. The smugglers can return again and again to the site until the damage is detected, using the breach like a secret entrance.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launches construction of border wall funded by state money and private donations after Biden paused federal projects
- “Texas appropriated approximately $1 billion in funding for the construction of a border wall.
- Gov. Greg Abbott said many Texas landowners along the border are donating their property for the wall.
- The Texas wall comes after Biden paused all federal border wall construction projects.”
Wave of suicides hits Texas National Guard’s border mission
“Four soldiers have taken their own lives in two months”
Republicans struggle to save funding for Trump’s border wall
Biden Returns $2 Billion To Military Projects Trump Set Aside For Border Wall
The Guy Who Spent $30 Million Building Trump’s Wall Is Looking for Buyers
$1.3B Border Wall Contract Controversy Is Just the Latest for Fisher Sand & Gravel
DOD investigating Fisher Sand & Gravel’s $400M border wall contract
He built a privately funded border wall. It’s already at risk of falling down if not fixed.
Appeals Court: Trump Wrongly Diverted $2.5B for Border Wall
One Mile Per Year!
Some dirty words (TBS – Samantha Bee)
February 26, 2020
Congress warns Pentagon not to move money to fund Trump wall
February 18, 2020
Homeland Security waives contracting laws for border wall
February 17, 2020
Native American tribe says Pentagon failed to consult on border wall construction
Lawmakers push back at Trump’s Pentagon funding grab for wall
February 15, 2020
2023:
TOO FUNNY:
See incredible photos of the Sun Bowl being played in a blizzard
February 14, 2020
Sen. Baldwin blasts plan to divert millions for Oshkosh Defense to border wall
‘Somebody is making money off those ladders’: Smugglers use ‘camouflage’ ladders to cross border wall
February 13, 2020
Trump to Raid Pentagon’s War Account to Build Border Wall
February 10, 2020
Native burial sites blown up for US border wall
February 6, 2020
TRUMP IS BLOWING UP A NATIONAL MONUMENT IN ARIZONA TO MAKE WAY FOR THE BORDER WALL
January 30, 2020
January 29, 2020
Authorities discover the longest drug-smuggling tunnel in San Diego
Portion of US border wall in California falls over in high winds and lands on Mexican side
January 19, 2020
$11 Billion And Counting: Trump’s Border Wall Would Be The World’s Most Costly
January 13, 2020
Trump planning to divert additional $7.2 billion in Pentagon funds for border wall
December 17, 2019
Trump administration may not hit 2020 border wall goal, official says
““Our goal at the end of 2020 was 450 miles,” Mark Morgan, acting commission for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, told reporters. “It’s hard right now to be able to say whether we’re still going to be able to meet that goal, but I’m confident that we’re going to be close.”
Morgan said that 93 miles of wall had been built so far during the Trump administration. At least 90 miles of that replaced existing structures, according to CBP figures – although Morgan argued during the briefing that all barriers built under Trump should be considered “new.””
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-border/trump-administration-may-not-hit-2020-border-wall-goal-official-says-idUSKBN1YL2FB
Trump touts border money in bill despite Congress keeping funding level flat
Judge stymies Trump’s border wall by invoking GOP law targeting Obama
Pentagon inspector general to review $400 million border wall contract given to firm Trump favored
Pentagon watchdog plans to review award of $400M border wall contract to firm pushed by Trump
Federal judge blocks $3.6 billion transfer to fund border wall
Pentagon inspector general to review deployment of US troops to southern border
North Dakota company that Trump touted gets $400 million border wall contract
Judge blocks Trump’s favorite construction company from building private border wall
Who Are America’s Undocumented Immigrants? You Might Not Recognize Them.
Trump’s border wall hangs over spending talks
Jared Kushner’s new assignment: Overseeing the construction of Trump’s border wall
An up close look at construction of Trump’s wall
Smugglers cut a truck-sized hole to drive 16 through US-Mexico border wall, feds say
The Trump administration is dialing up efforts to ‘build that wall,’ records show
Trump administration notifies owners it will survey land for border wall
Under Construction in Texas: The First New Section of Border Wall
Trump admin preparing to take over private land in Texas for border wall
Pentagon pulls funds for military schools, daycare to pay for Trump’s border wall
Military families worried about moldy conditions in Joint Base Lewis-McChord housing
Children were told to ‘build the wall’ at White House Halloween party
Trump says US is building a wall in Colorado — a state that doesn’t border Mexico
Trump tries (and fails) to explain his Colorado border wall comments
Colorado governor mocks Trump for saying he’s building wall there
Senate again fails to override Trump’s border wall emergency declaration
Friday’s 5 court rulings against President Donald Trump
Federal Judge Rules Against Trump Border Emergency Declaration
Shoot Them in the Legs, Trump Suggested: Inside His Border War
DoD Releases $6.7 Billion List of Projects That Could Be Bumped for Border Wall
Trump rebuked on military base project cuts, but veto looms
Here’s everything the Pentagon is putting on hold to concentrate on building the border wall
Large chunk of border wall funding diverted from tiny Guam
DONALD TRUMP SAYS BORDER WALL WAS CHOSEN AFTER 20 ‘WORLD-CLASS’ MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS TESTED IT
So….
Mexican congressman climbs U.S. border fence to illustrate that Trump’s wall is ‘totally absurd’
Trump Said This Wall Can’t Be Climbed. Professional Climbers Say He’s Full of Sh*t
Professional Climbers Are Laughing at Trump’s ‘Impenetrable’ Wall Claims
Rock climbers to hold border wall climbing competition after Trump said new section was unscalable
Mountain climbers scale replica of Trump’s border wall in under one minute: report
Border Wall Rising In Arizona, Raises Concerns Among Conservationists, Native Tribes
Administration looking to divert more money from Pentagon budget for wall construction, source says
Trump officials considering plan to divert billions of dollars in additional funds for border barrier
AUTHORITIES ALONG U.S., MEXICO BORDER FIND TUNNEL WITH RAIL SYSTEM, SOLAR-POWERED LIGHTING UNDER CALIFORNIA
3 Charts That Show What’s Actually Happening Along The Southern Border
Texas Border Sheriffs: There is No Crisis and We Don’t Want Trump’s Wall
Wall of contention
For Texas ranchers living along border fence, talk of an illegal crossing crisis is exaggerated
Troops do not view immigration as a ‘national emergency.’ Not even close.
BORDER COUNTY SHERIFFS SLAM WASHINGTON LAWMAKERS FOR ‘NOT LISTENING,’ SAYING WALLS ‘NOT EFFECTIVE’
Is There A Crisis At The Border? This Longtime Arizona Sheriff Says ‘No, There Isn’t’
A Single Scandal Sums Up All of Trump’s Failures
Trump Cuts “Muscle” from European Defense to Fund Border Wall
More than two years later, Trump’s wall remains unbuilt
With apprehensions dropping, when does the border ‘national emergency
FOX NEWS HOST: DONALD TRUMP ‘NEVER SHOULD HAVE SAID MEXICO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THE WALL’
Trump’s Wall Fund Diversion Risks Military Facilities’ Security, Report Suggests
Trump’s raid on military construction funds for his border wall will screw over critical Air Force projects, report says
Trump’s plan to pay for border wall with Air Force funds risks national security, report says
Who exactly is paying for Donald Trump’s border wall
Homeland Security raids Coast Guard coffers to pay for border programs
Florida Air Force base loses $17 million project to Trump’s border wall
No New School at Fort Campbell: The Money Went to Trump’s Border Wall
Quick! List the times McConnell has stood up to Trump!
McConnell vows to protect Kentucky middle school from Trump’s grab for wall funding
Fort Campbell Middle School loses funding to build Trump’s border wall
Trump Raids Elementary Schools to Pay for Wall; Mexico Off Hook
On Tuesday, his administration revealed that it would be paying for the wall instead by diverting funds meant for the construction of elementary schools, hazardous waste warehouse facilities, and fire stations, among other Department of Defense initiatives.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/defense-department-reveals-military-projects-that-will-lose-funding-to-pay-for-border-wall
Pentagon approves diversion of military construction funds for Trump’s wall
Trump Reveals 2020 Plan: Break the Law, Build the Wall, Lock Up All Migrant Children
CREW REQUESTS CRAMER’S COMMUNICATIONS WITH ARMY CORPS ON BORDER WALL
CBP: No new border wall has been built with Trump in office
Fox News’s Shepard Smith pushes back on Trump: ‘There’s no new wall … not true’
Q&A: Here’s a breakdown of where Trump’s border wall stands
“In places where no barrier existed before, how much new wall has Trump completed since taking office? None.“
Trump administration can’t say when first section of new wall will be built
‘Take the land’: President Trump wants a border wall. He wants it black. And he wants it by Election Day.
THE HYPHEN
The Hyphen, Webster’s Dictionary defines,
Is a symbol used to divide a
compound word or a single word.
So it seems to me that when a man calls himself
An “Afro-American,” a “Mexican-American,”
“Italian-American,” An “Irish-American,”
“Jewish-American,”
What he’s sayin’ is, “I’m a divided American.”
Well, we all came from other places,
Different creeds and different races,
To form a nation…to become as one,
Yet look at the harm a line has done-
A simple little line, and yet
As divisive as a line can get.
A crooked cross the Nazis flew,
And the Russian hammer and sickle too-
Time bombs in the lives of Man;
But none of these could ever fan
The fames of hatred faster than
The Hyphen.
The Russian hammer built a wall
That locks men’s hearts from freedom’s call.
A crooked cross flew overhead
Above twenty million tragic dead-
Among them men from this great nation,
Who died for freedom’s preservation.
A hyphen is a line that’s small;
It can be a bridge or be a wall.
A bridge can save you lots of time;
A wall you always have to climb.
The road to liberty lies true.
The Hyphen’s use is up to you.
Used as a bridge, it can span
All the differences of Man.
Being free in mind and soul
Should be our most important goal.
If you use The Hyphen as a wall,
You’ll make your life mean…and small.
An American is a special breed,
Whose people came to her in need.
They came to her that they might find
A world where they’d have peace of mind.
Where men are equal…and something more-
Stand taller than they stood before.
So you be wise in your decision,
And that little line won’t cause division.
Let’s join hands with one another…
For in this land, each man’s your brother.
United we stand…divided we fall.
WE’RE AMERICANS…and that says it all.
Trump’s Wall Gets America Nowhere on Border Security
Trump lashes out at media after border criticism
5 misconceptions about the U.S.-Mexico border
64% oppose Trump’s move to build a wall; On asylum, just 30% support stricter rules
Graves Of U.S. Veterans To Be “Dug Up” For Trump’s Border Wall
The Trump Wall Lies:
Trump Lied:
Some dirty words (HBO):
No Concrete:
Trump vows emergency declaration over wall, agrees to shutdown-averting bill
No National Emergency (How does he ever have time for Golf or Rallies during a NATIONAL EMERGENCY?)
What Emergency?
Former senior national security officials issue declaration on national emergency
A clear majority of Americans oppose Trump’s emergency declaration
Most oppose Trump declaring national emergency for wall funding, CBS News poll finds
Hmmmm….
‘He always brings them up’: Trump tries to steer border wall deal to North Dakota firm
Company touted by Trump to build the wall has history of fines, violations
My backyard is on the Texas-Mexico border. Trump wants to seize my land to build his wall.
Trump’s emergency plan for the border runs into a budget snag
The GoFundMe Border Wall Is Finished. It’s Not Stopping Migrants From Coming In.
When Trump declared national emergency, most detained immigrants were not criminals
How heroin and fentanyl get into Philadelphia — and why a border wall likely wouldn’t stop them
No Wall Here! Over $1 billion worth of cocaine seized in historic drug bust in Philadelphia
And No Wall Here! Ship Seized With 20 Tons Of Cocaine Has Italian Billionaire Ties
Four Common Misconceptions about U.S.-bound Drug Flows through Mexico and Central America
AP Explains: Trump says wall will stop drugs, facts differ
Trump’s wall won’t do anything about the opioid epidemic
Here’s how drugs are getting smuggled from South America to the US
16 Maps Of Drug Flow Into The United States
Trump turned the border wall into his Alamo. That didn’t end well and this won’t either.
Kelly says a full border wall would be a ‘waste of money’
The French gave us a statue
Sad thing?
The group least likely to think the U.S. has a responsibility to accept refugees? Evangelicals.
HOMILY – MATTHEW 25: 31-46
Border Security <> WALL!
Seeking Asylum is LEGAL!
8 U.S. Code § 1158. Asylum
(a)Authority to apply for asylum(1)In general
Any alien who is physically present in the United States or who arrives in the United States (whether or not at a designated port of arrival and including an alien who is brought to the United States after having been interdicted in international or United States waters), irrespective of such alien’s status, may apply for asylum in accordance with this section or, where applicable, section 1225(b) of this title.
Asylum
