Filiz Garip, professor of sociology, writes in this Reuters op-ed that building a wall is symbolic and will not stop or slow down illegal immigration. She argues that simply increasing spending on immigration enforcement is not an effective immigration policy, as the factors that result in increased immigration are largely beyond the control of any one nation like the United States.
"Historical evidence suggests that increasing enforcement is not always an effective deterrent of undocumented migration," Garip writes. "It can introduce new threats to the border (more deaths for migrants and more involvement by criminal organizations), and can keep migrants in rather than out."
Sreang Hok/Cornell University
At center, holding her award, is Abra Geiger ’26, recipient of the 2026 University Relations Campus-Community Leadership Award. Left to right, with her are Erik Herman, creative director of the Free Science Workshop/Ithaca Physics Bus; Kyle Kimball, vice president for university relations; Cassaundra Guzman, McNair Program advisor/coordinator; and Marla Love, Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students.