Border security has always been a significant concern for the United States. The southern border between the US and Mexico has been one of the most precarious areas where smuggling and illegal immigration continue to occur. To address this issue, the US government has started building a barrier to secure this border, and one of the latest efforts is the use of shipping containers to construct a wall along the Arizona-Mexican border.
The shipping container border wall is a unique approach to border security. It involves the use of recycled shipping containers to create a wall structure. Each of the 40-foot high containers is welded together to form a formidable barrier with an expected length of 2 miles. This innovative idea is attributed to Glenn Spencer, an Arizona resident who is an advocate for stricter border security.
The reasoning behind the use of shipping containers is that it would help to significantly reduce the cost of constructing a border wall. Unlike traditional materials used, such as brick or concrete, shipping containers are readily available, durable, and considerably cheaper. This approach is a deviation from previous border walls, which have been built with materials that are significantly more expensive and have taken longer to construct.
Another unique aspect of the shipping container border wall is that it is environmentally friendly. The materials used in the construction of the wall are recyclable, and the containers have already been used, reducing their carbon footprint.
The use of shipping containers in building borders is not a new concept. Other countries have utilized this approach before. For instance, China used shipping containers in 2014 to create a wall to protect against floods. In 2015, Hungary used shipping containers to create a fence bordering Serbia to manage the flow of Syrian refugees.
While the idea of a shipping container border wall is novel, it has not been without controversy. Some immigration rights advocates have criticized the wall, arguing that it is ineffective and would do little to address the root causes of illegal immigration. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the impact on wildlife and the environment.