The Senate immigration bill provides a basis for the immigration debate in the United States. A key provision of the bill is an additional $46 billion for increased border security. While this level of spending will likely be included in the final compromise bill, it is not the best use of resources. As a recent Woodrow Wilson Center report argued, we have reached the point of diminishing returns on border security. Instead of trying to create an impenetrable wall at the border, we should use the resources to reinforce law enforcement in the nation’s interior, especially in border states, such as Texas.

There are unintended consequences to the Senate bill’s proposed expansion of border security. Following an increase in border security spending post-9/11, organized crime simply adapted to new security measures. The once-diffuse system of coyotes who smuggled individuals across the border for a small fee evolved into “polleros,” illicit networks that steal valid travel documents and rent them to migrants at high costs. These networks in turn must pay a fee to organized crime. In some cases, organized crime enters the business directly, given that enforcement efforts have made human trafficking highly profitable due to the necessity of coyotes and polleros. In this sense, increasing border security also increases the involvement of organized crime in the business of human trafficking.

via Less fence, more task force | Baker Institute Blog | a Chron.com blog.