>Merkal had to let them in, she was at the dam and had her finger in a hole, she knew it was going to break so what does she do?
Or she could just say "no"
It's not like enforcing your borders is impossible. You make them fuck off, if you catch them you ship them back
What happens?
People realize they can't get in, and if they do get in they'll be hunted and returned. No government gibs, no handouts because that would be like turning yourself in. People stop paying smugglers thousands of dollars and instead spend it on shit they actually need.