The U.S.-Mexico border fence will make life harder on some South Texas farmers, damage valuable wildlife habitat, impair views and generally become an obstacle to border life, the Department of Homeland Security acknowledged in an environmental study of the fence's impact. For the people of the Rio Grande Valley, the federal government said in the recent study that there are serious trade-offs for 70 miles of fence segments that will help Border Patrol control illegal immigration and smuggling from Mexico. But it added that residents will benefit from increased security against 'illegal cross-border activity.' (USA Today, Wednesday)
The government, not free individuals, will decide the tradeoffs.
FEE Timely Classic
Property and Freedom: The Inseparable Connection by Richard Pipes