How Far the Border Wall Will Split the Country

Tales of the longest government shutdown in modern U.S. history. As the shutdown surpasses three weeks on its path to officially becoming the longest government shutdown in modern U.S. history, tensions are heating up. No agreement was reached between Democrats and Republicans on Thursday. Rather, it was a loud disagreement which led some politicians to go as far as to announce it a complete absence of hope.

While being a strong ally of President Trump, Graham was one of those trying to reach a compromise.

One of the compromises offered by the Democrats was a deal where, along with the wall, there would be certain legislative allowances for undocumented immigrants who are already in the country. The allowances are particularly for those who are called "dreamers," young people who arrived in the U.S. as children with their families, and were recently protected by the Obama-era program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which was repealed by Trump in 2017.

"Border patrol, ICE, and law enforcement - you endure so much backlash from people who don't understand. I want to say you have a friend in this administration, and you have a friend in me. Nobody does a better job," Trump said in his opening remarks. Notably, the speech took place in a room full of cash, guns, and confiscated narcotics.

Introducing his 'winning position' on the shutdown, Trump made it clear that if he needs to declare a national emergency to fund the wall, he will do it. According to sources close to the president, the only reason he hasn't done it yet is because executing the emergency power would bring the risk of legal actions, which tend to be successful.

While Trump continues 'playing ball' with the Democrats, the country is slowly but surely being torn apart. As part of the shutdown, President Trump suspended federal workers' compensation and denied the scheduled annual raise. With the growing uncertainty, federal workers are becoming increasingly distraught. This Thursday, rallies were held across the country. In Chicago, protesters gathered at the Federal Plaza.

"Federal workers should not be held hostage to a border wall. Federal workers should not be forced to work without pay," said Matt Muchowski, district office manager of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). "If a wall is not going to be agreed upon, then there is no negotiating, and that makes no sense," added Jewel Spenser, who has witnessed five government shutdowns during her 33 years at the Environmental Protection Agency.

Creative solutions: YouTube, GoFundMe campaign, raising money for… shovels. Amid the rising tensions during the shutdown and inability to reach a compromise, Trump set up a YouTube advertising campaign. In a brief, 42-second video, it ties "terrorists, violent criminals, and child traffickers" with the absence of the wall.

To advance and expand "the wall movement," a GoFundMe page was created, called "We The People Will Build The Wall." As of press time on Thursday evening, over $20 million has been raised towards a $1 billion goal. Notably, many donors prefer not to disclose their real names. Some even used the names of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The border wall's opponents are also making their voices heard. Another project was created on the GoFundMe page for those interested in metaphorically digging a tunnel under the wall.

"To the thousands of people raising money for a wall...I'm raising money to supply tunnel builders with shovels," wrote Rigo Torres, the creator of the GoFundMe page. Torres admits on the page that in reality, all the money will be donated to the American Civil Liberties Union's programs. These are aimed at reuniting families separated at the border.

Moreover, consensus or even compromise does not seem possible between both parties at this point. Trump has stated he will not reopen the government until the funding for the wall is secured. Democrats, on the other hand, insist on opening the government before further negotiations can occur. As ironic as it is, many experts see the declaration of a national emergency as the only feasible way to "stop the bleeding" at this point in time. The government will reopen, and in that case, construction of the wall will most likely begin. However, such a decision could be challenged, potentially leading to legal consequences for the president.

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