Today we are in the midst of a “partial government shutdown” wherein “non-essential personnel” are being furloughed because the shutdown denies the government the funds with which to pay them.
This situation is caused by a confrontation between the executive and legislative branches over the issue of funding, more precisely, funding for border security (which includes the wall).
In the accompanying rhetoric and bombast, one of the utterances cast about is that “walls don’t work.”
So, your beloved Big Red Car has undertaken a bit of research to ascertain the truthfulness of that statement.
Walls Built
There are four illegal immigration corridors of significance for which there are actual numbers related to illegal crossings available to the erstwhile Big Red Car researcher. They are: San Diego, El Paso, Tucson, and Yuma.
Here are the facts:
1. San Diego’s wall was built in 1992. Illegal crossings dropped by 92% over the ensuing 23 years (2015).
2. El Paso’s wall was built in 1993. Illegal crossings dropped by 72% immediately and 95% over the ensuing 22 years (2015).
3. Tucson’s wall was built in 2000. Illegal crossings dropped by 90% over the ensuing 15 years (2015).
4. Yuma’s wall was built in 2005. Illegal crossings dropped by 95% over the ensuing 10 years (2015).
In fairness, there are those who will suggest that the reduction in apprehensions is not solely due to the new wall construction. I agree with that view. However, I am convinced that the construction of these walls did have a positive impact on restricting illegal immigration.
But, hey what the Hell do I really know anyway? I’m just a Big Red Car. Merry Christmas, y’all!
