President Trump has argued that his proposed border wall is necessary to protect the nation’s security. Sadly, the wall presents a much graver risk to the security of Americans than the immigrants the wall will allegedly stop.
The federal government has been using eminent domain to acquire the land needed to build the wall. The premise underlying this seizure of private property is that the ends–national security–justify the means. But a nation cannot be secure when the property of the individuals comprising that nation is not secure.
We are told that the wall will prevent terrorists, gangs, and criminals out of the country. Few would dispute that this is a good thing. But in principle, what the government is doing to land owners, particularly in Texas, is the same as what terrorists, gangs, and criminals do.
Terrorists, gangs, and criminals believe that their ends justify their means. They believe that it is proper to do as they please, to take property from the rightful owner. They believe that might makes right, and so they exert force to attain their ends.
The federal government concurs. They believe that it is proper to take property from the rightful owner, and they will exert the full force of the government to attain their ends.
All along the border, land that has been in families for generations is being taken by the government, the very institution that is supposed to defend and protect property rights. When the government becomes a violator of those rights, nobody can be secure.