The Trump Wall could save America $64B

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The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) is a conservative[2] non-profit research organization "that favors far lower immigration numbers and produces research to further those views."[3] It was started as a spin-off from Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in 1985.[4] The Center's self-described mission is to "provid[e] immigration policymakers, the academic community, news media, and concerned citizens with reliable information about the social, economic, environmental, security, and fiscal consequences of legal and illegal immigration into the United States."[5]

Reports published by the CIS have been widely deemed misleading and riddled with basic errors by scholars on immigration; think tanks from across the ideological and political spectrum; media of all stripes; several leading nonpartisan immigration-research organizations; and by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The organization has also drawn criticism for its financial and intellectual ties to extremist racists

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For context

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Report: Trump's Border Wall Could Save Americans Nearly $64 Billion Over 10 Years

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MSM about to melt bigly because Pres Trump is saving Mexico some $$$.

Deflection.

The wall would save money in the long term.

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The wall would save money in the long term

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How?

So long as there are shovels to dig tunnels, an ocean to circumvent, or ladders/cataputs/etc. to go over, a wall doesn't effectively stop anyone...except maybe an isolated singular person with major physical disabilities who is attempting to come on their own with zero help...and I'm willing to bet those numbers are in the single digits per year.

Additionally, additional upkeep costs will further add to its perpetual cost.

With no source of revenue and little to no effect on its intended purpose, "The Wall" is not and would not be saving anyone any money..near, short, or long term.

The Great Wall of China's effectiveness was its incredible communication system and substantial (almost endless) staffing. Neither of which is part of "The Wall" plans.

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If most illegals work off the books and don't pay taxes while utilizing taxpayer supported services in the U.S., why is it unreasonable to suggest that they are a a net drain?

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Their impact on the price of goods and services. Economists have concluded they are a net positive economically. They do pay some sorts of taxes (sales tax, etc). Some even pay income taxes. I'd much rather we fix our legal immigration system to be much more swift and effective, which would eliminate the other issues. But, that is a political death vote.

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Is any of that racist?

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No. I just think that most anti-immigration people have faulty information and positions that are so narrowly focused, they fail to incorporate the nuances and other related pieces. I don't think it is with malice that these positions are taken, rather out of fear (mostly of the unknown, nameless, faceless "immigrant")

A wall would represent significant logistical problems for illegals, especially those brought in in bulk. Box trucks don't drive over walls or through tunnels. A wall would reset the game and force them to adjust their tactics which we could then counter adjust to with a blank slate.

The walls/barriers that were erected in California and Arizona pushed the crossers to other areas without walls/barriers so that is anecdotal but significant evidence that the barriers are effective to some extent.

I don't think a wall would do much for drugs because the cartels have resources and ingenuity but it is silly to say that a wall is not an important part of an over all strategy to keep Mexico and Central America from just emptying into our country.

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Their impact on the prices of goods and services is net zero. Yes they lower labor costs, which shifts the supply curve right, but they also increase demand which shifts demand curve right.

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That is not accurate. Take something simple like food, particularly fruits & vegetables since that is one of the most positively impacted areas from immigrants. The low cost labor, along with skirting health & safety regulations vastly lower costs and increase productivity. Especially with Fruits and Vegetables, being perishable, this is critical.

Truth is, they are indeed more productive workers than the Americans who wouldn't do the job anyway..and sure as heck not at the minimum wage or per box wage that immigrants take.

Their increase in demand for the goods is minimal at best.

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A wall would reset the game and force them to adjust their tactics

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Interesting argument. Stop one very specific plan (which they already cross through border checkpoints anyways), and it will completely change their tactic? I tend to disagree.

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The walls/barriers that were erected in California and Arizona pushed the crossers to other areas without walls/barriers so that is anecdotal but significant evidence that the barriers are effective to some extent.

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They still crossed. By definition, that isn't effective. "He shot with is left hand instead of his right. Still went in, but he didn't use his right"

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don't think a wall would do much for drugs because the cartels have resources and ingenuity but it is silly to say that a wall is not an important part of an over all strategy to keep Mexico and Central America from just emptying into our country.

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cartels are also in the human smuggling game. They get paid to get people across.