I rarely agree with John Balentine, but I do agree that the press must use facts to educate citizens on the efficacy (or lack thereof) of Trump’s proposed border wall. In this regard, consider the following:

• U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, who represents a district covering more of our southern border than any other congressional district, agrees that a concrete wall is the most expensive and least effective way to do border security.

• The number of apprehensions of persons attempting to enter the U.S. across our southwest without authorization declined from 1.64 million in 2000 to less than 400,000 in 2018.

• The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. in 2016 was the lowest since 2004: 10.7 million, down from 12.2 million in 2007 according to the Pew Research Center.

• Almost two-thirds of the unauthorized immigrants have lived in the U.S. for more than 10 years, up from 41 percent in 2007, according to Pew.

• More than 80 percent of illegal drugs entering the U.S. do so through legal crossing points.

These facts do not support Balentine’s contention that “we need a border wall.” Yes, press, do shine a light on the facts.

Lowell D. Turnbull
Portland