A viral video has sparked buzzed about an influencer who is seen climbing US-Mexico border wall.
The viral video of climbing border wall has raised questions about reality vs. portrayal. The video shows influencers climbing tall metal walls, a section of the US-Mexico border, and claiming it is easy to cross.
Although, some wall segments can be scaled or breached, netizens say the barrier remains a stumbling stone overall.
The video over exaggerates the ease of climbing, whereas in reality, it’s a complex and risky business.
Official stats and ground reality at the border reveal that while some breaches happen, the system as a whole is still considered an effective deterrent.
The clips circulating online feature creators climbing vertical walls that look similar to parts of the US-Mexico border wall.
They argue that if they can do it, migrants can do the same. Despite the fact that many social media users have pointed out that this display of wall climbing is far from what the actual reality on ground is.
The actual border wall is much complex. Many sections are between 18 to 30 feet high, with anti-climb features, thick steel bollards, and regular monitoring by cameras and patrols.
Some parts are even built in areas with steep terrain, making crossing far more difficult than what is shown in the influencer videos.
Fact checks show that while small sections of the border wall are climbable with the right tools or physical strength, scaling it is not as simple as these viral videos suggest.
Reports from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveal that many who attempt to climb suffer serious injuries or fall.
In 2022 alone, hundreds of patients injured from failed climbing attempts, and were treated at hospitals near to the border.
Despite this, if someone climbs, they still face motion sensors, drones and armed patrol units on the other side of the border.
That means the wall is only one part of the larger security system in place.
That means the wall is only one part of the larger security system in place. Footages of border crossing such by influencers are misattributed, showing crossings in North Africa rather than the US border.
The fact is crossing the US border illegally is risky, difficult, and far from being as simple as a trending video makes it look.
