Fortifying against the Threat: Can Walls Stop Irregular Migration?

Abstract

After the election of Donald Trump and his ambitious plan to erect a “great wall” between the USA and Mexico, the issue of walls is being increasingly discussed. But can the walls really stop irregular migration? The main aim of this article is to provide five examples of walls and assess their effectiveness in stopping irregular migration. Do walls matter and what are the key variables influencing their effectiveness? The analysis will focus on four factors such as the purpose and aims of the wall, the operative logic of the wall, type of the wall management and nature of the environment divided by the wall. The research was unable to find a single key variable which determines the effectiveness of the wall; however, it discusses various interrelated aspects.