I think it would be interesting if the internet were around 50+ years ago so we could hear everyone respond to news of the Berlin Wall being constructed with "LOLOLOL ever heard of a ladder?"
The Berlin Wall worked because it was backed by fear and guns. The Soviets had no problem arresting and torturing or outright shooting anyone who tried to cross. I think you understand what I'm trying to point out here.
Land mines, attack dogs, shoot-to-kill and a totalitarian regime make walls more effective. Not that these options are totally unrealistic at the moment. Calling up the national guard would seem a step this way.
The Berlin was was built in a densely populated area, was patrolled regularly, had frequent guard towers, and, was ~100 miles long.
Are you really claiming that's a good comparison to a wall 1000 miles long, through desert and unpopulated areas, which won't* be manned continuously along it's length?
As for the Hungarian border wall, yes, it has helped. But again, EU population density is a lot higher than the southern US desert. It's not just the wall that stops people, it's the frequent patrols, and repairs to the wall.
Given the inability of the US to prevent tunnels between the Mexico / US border, I'm skeptical that a 1000 mile wall will work.
A good jobs programme results in something which creates more jobs and economic activity over time. This wall wall will hinder economic activity (though generally the kind that is less desirable).
> As far as patrols go, sounds like a fantastic jobs program.
i.e. a way to throw money away doing nothing productive.
Either the people involved will be highly trained / paid well, and therefore bored. Or, they won't be paid well, and will be susceptible to bribes from people wanting to cross.
Walls do work. Not 100% because nothing is, but they absolutely do. Ask Hungary how it's been working out for them: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_border_barrier