Frank Watson: There Are Many Ways to Build a Wall

During the campaign, I agreed with much of what Mr. Trump proposed.

We need to defend our borders, but when he proposed building a wall that Mexico would pay for, I was hoping that he was speaking metaphorically.

Walls have never provided security for the builder.

The Great Wall didn't keep China safe from the Mongols in the 13th century any more than the Maginot line kept France safe from the Germans in the 20th century.

They just don’t work.

If there is actual or perceived benefit from breaching the wall, it will be breached.

Thus, I was surprised that President Trump reconfirmed his proposal to build a brick and mortar wall along our southern border.

He softened a little on whether or not Mexico would pay for it, but he is adamant that we would soon begin actual construction.

Maybe we could save a lot of effort and expense by a quick look at how some other countries guard against illegal immigration.

I had an awesome opportunity in 1999-2000 to teach English in the Japanese public school system.

My wife and I were issued alien visas by the Japanese government, and we had a memorable yearlong adventure.

At the end of my contract, I was politely informed that I had seven days to leave the country.

I had no problem with that, but out of curiosity, I asked what would happen if I didn’t.

I was informed that my data was in the computer, and I would be caught and get in trouble.

Additionally, my Japanese supervisors, who were responsible for me, would also get in trouble.

They didn’t define the degree of trouble, but they escorted me to the airport and watched closely as I boarded my assigned flight.

I have studied in Mexico and vacationed there several times.

I found it interesting that I was asked to surrender my passport at the hotel desk.

Being my usual curious self, I asked “why”, and was informed that it was required by Mexican law.

Much of Central America considers Mexico to be the rich neighbor to the north, just as Mexico views us.

Therefore, Mexico has a large and active immigration police force.

I have seen them patrol as far north as Jalisco, hundreds of miles north of their southern border.

One of my favorite pastimes while visiting in Latin America is to practice my Spanish in the city square on a park bench.

Invariably some old men will become curious and want to talk to the gringo.

We usually discuss the weather, politics, and the merits of various brands of beer.

My park bench friends inform me that Mexico doesn’t tolerate illegals.

It is against their law to provide aid in any form.

Providing a place to live, employment, transportation, food, or any other service to some one not legally in the country could result in jail time.

This law and the determination to enforce it, provides a significant deterrent to illegal immigration along Mexico’s southern border.

I have heard the argument that migrant workers are essential to our economy, but why do they have to be illegal? About 15 years ago, my wife and I decided to explore the home of my ancestors, so we booked a trip to the Scottish highlands.

While there, we noticed that many of the workers in the hotels and restaurants were Eastern European.

Again, being my normal curious self, I asked how this worked.

I was told that Scotland had a labor shortage while most Eastern European countries had a surplus, so the respective governments agreed to temporary work visas.

The Scottish employer was responsible for the housing, medical, and general well being of the temporary employee, as well as to make sure they went home at the end of their contract.

I thought it was an excellent solution to the labor imbalance.

We could learn a lot from what is successful in these countries. Respect for the law provides a barrier to illegal immigrants, and the compliance of ordinary citizens secures their borders without an expensive physical wall.

(Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Colonel and long time resident of eastern Washington.)