But far fewer than are getting through now. Besides, I didn't say "such a fence around the entire nation" - just on the border with Mexico - and I didn't limit the efforts to just a fence. I believe I gave you four specific actions the government can take:
1. Fence.
2. Encourage border patrol in apprehension of illegals crossing the border.
3. Remove incentives of benefits of citizenship presently enjoyed (at least to some degree) by illegals.
4. Deport illegals when they are arrested.
Why can't we have different National Guard or Reserve units from different parts of the country rotate and do a week's duty each year assisting the Border Patrol and monitoring the fence. They can do training exercises part of the day, and assist with surveillance at night.
Dig a trench along the border with Mexico. Illegals are caught, they dig for two years and then they are deported. Put stainless steel along the walls of the trench so that nobody can climb it.
Criminals could also be sentenced to digging as their community service.