The completion of the U.S.-Mexican border remains bleak as several factors affecting its continual construction obstructs the project.

According to The Guardian, the endless installation of the border has been plagued by issues surrounding the vast span of the border as well as the treaties in Mexico that prevents any type of construction within the outskirts of Rio Grande. The border completes a long crawling line within the Rio Grande, making it impossible to erect borders without breaking the treaty.

Another reason the U.S.-Mexican border installation remains bleak is the fact that most lands in the Texas area, where the majority of the border lies, are owned by private individuals.

 

Aside from the law generating provisions in installing such borders, the cost of materials have also prevented the border fence from completion. In 2008, the cost per mile reached was $6.5 million, excluding labor. The border stretches as far as 1,300 miles, accumulating approximately $10 billion in costs when fully financed. It will be even more if the cost of human labor is included.

The regions of the border also cover different geographies, adding more challenge to workers and the type of materials needed to fully erect the fence. Border expert Adam Isacson said, "With every twist and turn of the Rio Grande and every steep terrain in Arizona, it would cost easily that much."

Given how the U.S.-Mexican border is made up of metal fences instead of walls like that of the Berlin Wall and the Great Wall of China, the part of Texas that has seen some parts of the border fence are in fact fragments of what should be a continual border.

The gaps that stretch for miles is said to be the result of the Secure Fence Act passed in 2006. Along the almost 1,900 mile border lies the 650 miles border fence and another 1,254 stretch located in the Texas area alone.

Some of the current U.S. presidential candidates have vowed to finish the project, but until then, the U.S.-Mexican border will remain unfinished with gaps and issues that need to be settled before it can truly serve its purpose.

Meanwhile, the issues of illegal entry by Mexicans to the U.S. continue, like that of the seven boys who braved the river just so they can reach the border. The Huffington Post reports that their reason for entry is to avoid gang members, who forced them to join the group and another one who said he's alone and has no family.