The Great Wall of China kept unwanted northern invaders out.

The Berlin wall physically and symbolically divided a nation after World War II and up to the end of the Cold War.

But one wall that will not live up to these historical examples is the wall that soon will be built in sections along the U.S.-Mexican border to keep unwanted illegal immigrants out.

Although at first a 700-mile wall, which president Bush signed into law in October, might sound like the solution to the “border hoppers” and help increase security along the border, the ends do not justify the means.

According to a Congressional research survey, the wall will cost as much as $49 billion to build during the next 25 years.

That is $49 billion that could be used to help the poor and downtrodden of Mexico, the same downtrodden that would usually be the people coming into the country illegally.

Although it is true the U.S. government already helps the Mexican government and that there is some corruption in the businesses and officials of Mexico, if even a small portion of the $49 billion needed to build the wall was used to help the less fortunate of Mexico, it may give them incentive to stay.

According to the Houston Chronicle, a group of mayors in border towns from El Paso to Brownsville disagree with the construction of the wall because of the high cost and lack of advantages.

That means leaders in places where decisions dealing with illegal immigrants are made on a daily basis disagree with the wall.

Wouldn’t they know better than the people in Washington D.C. who voted for the wall?

Another solution that the money could be used for is better technology and equipment to patrol the border. Rather than build a wall, use the money for things like motion sensors and lights that would aid the Border Patrol in areas along the border.

This proposition the group of mayors in border towns unanimously support.

The $49 billion wall will only worsen the immigration issue by increasing tensions, wasting government money and going against the will of American border town leaders.

Immigration reform is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides, but the expensive wall is one step in the wrong direction to finding the answer.