The Wall
The Wall at Naco, AZ
By Dennis Begin
History has provided us with several examples of building walls between countries. The best example was the Berlin Wall during the Cold War dividing East and West Germany from 1961 to 1989. Communist North Korea today has the most fortified border in the world in order to keep its citizens in. President Donald Trump on January 23, 2017, signed an Executive Order that provided for the planning, design and construction of a physical wall along the entire US-Mexican border. In the President’s words “…A nation without borders is not a nation”, meaning the United States was going to secure its southern border making America safe again.
For snowbirds spending their winter in California and Arizona, crossing the border into Mexico is a common activity, be it Nogales, Arizona or Mexicali, California. On entering Mexico, snowbirds already observe a rather high fence at many border crossings. Fence construction is not really new. In 2006, the American Congress passed ‘The Secure Fence Act’, which was the initiative of President George W. Bush. Under this law, 700 miles [1,126 km] of fencing has already been constructed along the fifty border crossings. For example, at Naco, Az. the fence is 8 miles [13 km] long, before fading into the desert. The present fencing along the border is made of steel, ranges from fifteen to twenty feet high or is a low wooden fence designed to stop vehicles. The United States Border Patrol [USBP] constantly patrols the fence line.
Trump’s Wall will be much more substantial, passing through four states from Tijuana, California to Browning, Texas, covering a distance of 1,954 miles [3,145 km]. The proposed fence will be made of steel, twenty feet high and five feet underground. The Wall will be re-enforced by electronic sensors, lights, video monitors, night vision scopes and drones. In addition, the Department of Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) also has at its disposal every type of motorized vehicle from ATV’s to helicopters. Finally, President Trump has repeatedly stated that “…Mexico will pay for the Wall -100%...” costing between twelve to fifteen billion dollars. Mexican President Enrigue Pena Nieto has been defiant that Mexico will not pay for the wall. The Wall is not endorsed by all Americans. For instance, the wall has to pass through 389 miles [626 km] of Tohano O’odham Indian land south of Tucson, and their Chief has asserted “…over my dead body”.
The Wall and RV’ers
Snowbirds contribute one billion dollars to the economy of Arizona every year, [Arizona Republic]. The state does not want to lose that revenue. So how will The Wall affect RV’ers? At this point, until The Wall is actually in place, it is difficult to speculate. RV’ers have a choice, they do not have to visit Mexico, although they like to for affordable dental, eyewear and prescriptions. The Wall, however, will likely bring some subtle changes in the service industries catering to snowbirds. At many RV Parks, Mexican employees are responsible for daily tasks, such as ground maintenance. The same applies to countless golf courses, gas stations, fast food outlets, restaurants and the agricultural industry. Mexicans hold these low paying jobs, but if they are illegals, they will have to return to Mexico. It is estimated that there are 300,000 illegals living in Arizona, which would be a significant loss to the work force.
The Wall could also lead to greater taxes on goods from Mexico, especially RV electrical parts, fruit, vegetables and tequila, just to mention a few items. The suggested 20% Trump tax on Mexican goods, plus the low Canadian dollar, will certainly increase the cost of RV’ing. Border towns on the American side will most likely feel the pinch first. How NAFTA negotiations will change trade between the three North American countries is still unclear. It should be noted that Mexico is the third largest trading partner of the United States, largely because of the present co-operative manufacturing system. RV manufacturers such as Fleetwood Enterprises have moved their trailer production to Mexicali, Mexico. Due to cheaper labor costs in Mexico, more and more manufacturers from the United States will move to Mexico.
Crossing The Wall will most likely require more identity documentation for visitors to both countries. That could involve a visa, passport, insurance, restoring the tourist card [FMT] and possible entrance fees. The American government will make it more difficult to enter the United States, especially for foreign nationals and Muslims who pass through Mexico. With increased security at border crossings, the vehicle checks along the major highways could be eliminated, making it easier to travel near the border in places such as Yuma and Douglas, Arizona. The opposite is also possible, with everyone having to carry valid identification. As for Canadians, they should have little trouble crossing into Mexico or the United States with a valid passport.
Finally, The Wall will surely become a tourist attraction, much like the Berlin Wall. Should The Wall actually be completed, the novelty will soon pass, leaving an ugly scar on the desert landscape.