>>4328236 lb.
for ballparkin it: an inmates cost of incarceration per annum used to be about par to a tears tuition at harvard (many years ago).
illegal (excuse me 'undox imm') likely costs way more if all tallied.
the reason it couldn't be offset as savings gained from building wall are myriad 1) anybody could come up with that, if it were shown effective how would the pols justify another term? 2) for many in federal govt theres that "its not our money, so what is this savings of which you speak"? syndrome, 3) many that base their actions on (2) above appeal to authority of OMB which bases their projections on whats called static analysis.
that means the assumption is x caused a gain or loss this year and this year only.
so by such analysis the wall built leads to net gain offset this year, immigration illegal is unhindered and continues at same rate next year. real life example of this: the dems pointing to net benefits for majority of family incomes if affordable care act passed because OMB analysis.
reality is as you say but good luck having someone argue that with a career elected representative and the rep admitting rational superiority of argument on merits.
it aint their money and so whats savings? crumbs? thats what pelosi thinks