Comment by cogman10

> I question the idea that the US has a strong border compared to other countries of a comparable economic and development level.

It's all over the map. A lot of countries are easier to visit. Becoming a citizen, however, is difficult for most countries.

> Also, allowing farms and construction companies to find cheap labor is a reason for a weak border, not a reason for a strong border.

You are mistaken in thinking this is a normal labor market. The reason it reduces prices is because it weakens the ability for labor to negotiate. A strong border with internal enforcement makes it easier for a farmer to tell a day laborer "do this, or I'll call ICE on you". How well do you think a day laborer can negotiate a raise in that circumstance?

Consider, for example, the fact that farmers aren't employing US citizens or documented workers even though they are infinitely more abundant than undocumented workers. Why do you think that is? What mechanism is making the undocumented worker cheap and the documented one expensive?

A fast path to documentation and more rights lets more people in, but it also increases the labor costs because the workers are able to negotiate in the market.