--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think there's no question that the…" description: "\"I think there's no question that the barriers, the fences and in certain urban areas, the walls, have had an important effect in terms of increasing th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/641/alan-bersin-17353_barriers_i-think-there-s-no-question-that-the-bar_1885165.jpg" --- # I think there's no question that the barriers, the fences… ![“I think there's no question that the barriers, the fences and in certain urban areas, the walls, have had an important effect in terms of increasing the manageability and the security of the border. But in fact as Secretary of Homeland Security General John Kelly acknowledged at his confirmation…” quote by Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/641/alan-bersin-17353_barriers_i-think-there-s-no-question-that-the-bar_1885165.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/641/alan-bersin-17353_barriers_i-think-there-s-no-question-that-the-bar_1885165.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/641/alan-bersin-17353_barriers_i-think-there-s-no-question-that-the-bar_1885165.jpg) > “I think there's no question that the barriers, the fences and in certain urban areas, the walls, have had an important effect in terms of increasing the manageability and the security of the border. But in fact as Secretary of Homeland Security General John Kelly acknowledged at his confirmation hearing, walls and barriers alone are insufficient to insure security.” [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physical barriers like walls provide limited security benefits and cannot replace comprehensive strategies. **In simple terms:** Walls alone are insufficient for security. Key Takeaway Combine barriers with broader measures. Themes security policy infrastructure Mood analytical pragmatic Type policy strategic When to use this quote - border patrol - cybersecurity - community policing - emergency response Key Concepts risk management deterrence comprehensive planning Questions to Reflect On - What complementary measures enhance border security? - How can technology and diplomacy reduce reliance on physical barriers? A Different Perspective Overreliance on walls may create false security. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Barriers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barriers/) [Homeland security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homeland-security/) [Immigration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall/) ## Related quotes > [Walls and barriers alone are insufficient to insure security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/walls-and-barriers-alone-are-insufficient-to-insure-security/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [In the course of 25 years, we have developed a constructive relationship with Mexico that was nonexistent before. During the last eight to 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/in-the-course-of-25-years-we-have-developed-a-constructive/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [Walls are very important when you're separating two urban areas where if you're actually able to get over the border you can probably get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yarmuth/walls-are-very-important-when-you-re-separating-two-urban-areas-where/) [John Yarmuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yarmuth/) > [It's a wonderful thing, as a writer, to be given parameters and walls and barriers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be-given-parameters-and-walls/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [every healthy marriage is composed of walls and windows. The windows are the aspects of your relationship that are open to the world—that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/every-healthy-marriage-is-composed-of-walls-and-windows-the-windows/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [ Marco \[Rubio\] has opposed at every point increased security - border security for those who come to our country. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/marco-rubio-has-opposed-at-every-point-increased-security-border/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [As president, things that you're supposed to focus on, things like the economy, like energy policy, which is completely tied to national security, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-burgum/as-president-things-that-you-re-supposed-to-focus-on-things-like-the/) [Doug Burgum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-burgum/) > [We do need to strengthen our security at the border.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-collins/we-do-need-to-strengthen-our-security-at-the-border/) [Susan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-collins/) > [As former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano pointed out, if you build a 50-foot wall, you'll soon be confronted with a 51-foot ladder. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/as-former-homeland-security-secretary-janet-napolitano-pointed-out-if/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [Homeland security is inherently transnational today. There's hardly anything adverse that happens in our homeland that doesn't have a cause or effect that's generated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/homeland-security-is-inherently-transnational-today-there-s-hardly/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [Well, Rush, look what happened? 9/11 happened, and we didn't know it in advance. That's right, we got hit, we got hit big time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/well-rush-look-what-happened-9-11-happened-and-we-didn-t-know-it-in/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [We all must recognize that homeland security funds should be allocated by threat and no other reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bloomberg/we-all-must-recognize-that-homeland-security-funds-should-be/) [Michael Bloomberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bloomberg/) > [A waning United States would likely be more nationalistic, more defensive about its national identity, more paranoid about its homeland security, and less willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/a-waning-united-states-would-likely-be-more-nationalistic-more/) [Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/) > [If nothing else, the cyber attacks that occurred during the 2016 presidential election have laid bare the very real vulnerabilities that exist across our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-quigley/if-nothing-else-the-cyber-attacks-that-occurred-during-the-2016/) [Mike Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-quigley/) > [Few people may realize that the Department of Homeland Security is the nation's largest law enforcement organization, with about one-third of our 240,000 employees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-wolf/few-people-may-realize-that-the-department-of-homeland-security-is/) [Chad Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-wolf/) ## More by Alan Bersin > [The nationalism and the protectionism that was built into the Mexican Revolution in 1910 and that characterized the Mexican attitude to the United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/the-nationalism-and-the-protectionism-that-was-built-into-the-mexican/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [People should remember that Mexican migration is now at a net negative. More Mexicans are leaving through deportation and voluntary return than are entering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/people-should-remember-that-mexican-migration-is-now-at-a-net/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [In the last generation we've moved past a U.S.-Mexico relationship that while friendly on the surface, and demilitarized for the most part, really was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/in-the-last-generation-we-ve-moved-past-a-u-s-mexico-relationship/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [Our security in a global world must be looked at on a continental basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/our-security-in-a-global-world-must-be-looked-at-on-a-continental/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [There have been enormous advances since 9/11 to build a very robust set of targeting procedures and watch lists to screen travelers coming to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/there-have-been-enormous-advances-since-9-11-to-build-a-very-robust/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [America should be working more with the Mexicans to prevent the flow of guns going south into Mexico that have fueled so much of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/america-should-be-working-more-with-the-mexicans-to-prevent-the-flow/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [If you build a 50-foot wall, you'll soon be confronted with a 51-foot ladder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/if-you-build-a-50-foot-wall-you-ll-soon-be-confronted-with-a-51-foot/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [We need to realize that the economic situation between Mexico and the United States is not just one in which we trade with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/we-need-to-realize-that-the-economic-situation-between-mexico-and-the/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [Homeland security is inherently transnational today. There's hardly anything adverse that happens in our homeland that doesn't have a cause or effect that's generated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/homeland-security-is-inherently-transnational-today-there-s-hardly/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [Until we have a legitimate labor market between Mexico and the United States, people will attempt to come here to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/until-we-have-a-legitimate-labor-market-between-mexico-and-the-united/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [The law change during the Bush administration gave the Department of Health and Human Services a central role in relocating Central American minors in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/the-law-change-during-the-bush-administration-gave-the-department-of/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [In the last two years, the Mexicans have detained nearly 400,000 migrants whose intent was to come to the United States. The Mexicans return…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/in-the-last-two-years-the-mexicans-have-detained-nearly-400-000/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [Not only are the numbers of migrants entering the United States at the lowest levels in a generation, but they are now largely Central…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/not-only-are-the-numbers-of-migrants-entering-the-united-states-at/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [Every air traveler entering Mexico is vetted against US databases. The air passenger screening system Mexico has in place involves these checks against US…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/every-air-traveler-entering-mexico-is-vetted-against-us-databases-the/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [In today's digital online world, those who don't share information will be isolated and left behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/in-today-s-digital-online-world-those-who-don-t-share-information/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) [Explore all 37 Alan Bersin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) ## More Barriers quotes > [Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won't they?" said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-aunt-and-uncle-will-be-proud-though-won-t-they-said-hermione-as/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The gear you can't afford is not the barrier keeping you from success. Gear has very little to do with photography.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-jarvis/the-gear-you-can-t-afford-is-not-the-barrier-keeping-you-from-success/) [Chase Jarvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chase-jarvis/) > [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/) [Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/) > [The "health, education, and welfare" section of government is another boondoggle. First we manufacture indigent and superfluous people by legal monopolies in land, money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurance-labadie/the-health-education-and-welfare-section-of-government-is-another/) [Laurance Labadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurance-labadie/) > [Security is a component of everyday life that one spending time in Washington, D.C., gets accustomed to. Metal detectors, police vehicle barriers and heavily-armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-crapo/security-is-a-component-of-everyday-life-that-one-spending-time-in/) [Mike Crapo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-crapo/) > [The biggest obstacles to our progress exist within our own lives in the form of cowardice and the tendency to give up. Breaking through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/the-biggest-obstacles-to-our-progress-exist-within-our-own-lives-in/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [I feel that there are a few things in the world without cultural barriers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/i-feel-that-there-are-a-few-things-in-the-world-without-cultural/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [English literature is a glorious inheritance which is open to all - there are no barriers, no coupons, and no restrictions. In the English…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/english-literature-is-a-glorious-inheritance-which-is-open-to-all/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Friendship embraces innumerable ends; turn where you will it is ever at your side; no barrier shuts it out; it is never untimely and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/friendship-embraces-innumerable-ends-turn-where-you-will-it-is-ever/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [I've cosponsored legislation to establish a lend-lease program to simplify bureaucratic barriers and allow a speedier transfer of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/i-ve-cosponsored-legislation-to-establish-a-lend-lease-program-to/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Don't be afraid of what you want. This is your time. The barriers are down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/don-t-be-afraid-of-what-you-want-this-is-your-time-the-barriers-are/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [Fear is the single biggest barrier to creativity. Unless we're brave enough to risk looking foolish, we'll inevitably find ourselves sticking to the status…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-linkner/fear-is-the-single-biggest-barrier-to-creativity-unless-we-re-brave/) [Josh Linkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-linkner/) > [He looked at my lips. I suddenly found myself wanting to lick his. 'Yes,' he replied, his eyes going molten. My breath caught in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-macalister/he-looked-at-my-lips-i-suddenly-found-myself-wanting-to-lick-his-yes/) [Katie MacAlister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-macalister/) > [What do you have to surrender? A drop has to dissolve into the ocean to become the ocean. And a drop cannot be greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/what-do-you-have-to-surrender-a-drop-has-to-dissolve-into-the-ocean/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [“One way to generate a precise customer value proposition is to think about the four most common barriers keeping people from getting particular jobs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-w-johnson/one-way-to-generate-a-precise-customer-value-proposition-is-to-think/) [Mark W. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-w-johnson/) [Browse all 1,191 Barriers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barriers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think there's no question that the barriers, the fences and in certain urban areas, the walls, have had an important effect in terms of increasing the manageability and the security of the border. 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