Lodamun

[imperialpearl]

Following a tumultuous series of congressional hearings, committee meetings and numerous budget sessions, the plan once proposed to construct a border wall/fence along the Likatonian-Lodamese border has been approved with the passing of the Territorial and Border Security Act, with construction already having begun on a stretch of the border from northern Berkwaki to the border town of Caroline. During the opening days and weeks of the Likatonian civil war, it had been proposed by then Governor of Berkwaki Nicholas Webb that the federal government work with the state in constructing a barrier to “manage the flow of refugees and asylum seekers”, as it had been anticipated that in the midst of the chaos, war-warry Likatonians may flee to neighbouring states as asylum seekers or as refugees. Although the Commonwealth Guard had been deployed to the border to augment the efforts of federal, state and local authorities, it had been believed that their deployment would be a stop-gap measure towards a more definite/permanent solution. Some security analysts have noted that although their deployment to the border for the duration of the civil war would have ultimately reduced the urgency for some structure such as a border wall/fence, with the conflict having been concluded and the nation seemingly on a path towards reconstruction, their continued presence has become increasingly unwelcome. 

Some citizens have stated that a persistent military presence in the area although reassuring, nonetheless comes with a degree of inherent suspicion. “I think the Commonwealth Guard has certainly overstayed their welcome. The citizenry has certainly thanked them for their yeoman service in protecting our western approaches from the violence in Likatonia and helping authorities process migrant/refugee claims, but now they (the citizenry) believe it is time for a new approach,” Gilbert Long, a security analyst with the Institute for Public Safety, explained. He noted that the consensus within Lodamun of the Likatonian civil war and its aftermath points primarily to an of inherent discomfort at such senseless violence at the nation’s doorstep. “It was unusual for you to hear gunshots and artillery fire in the distance. We’d go out to the mountain range where you’d be able to see some parts of Norwalk. You’d see the tracer fire in the air, explosions. It’s somewhat discomforting you know, such senseless violence literally next door.” Lee Morse, a Berkwaki native recalled.

The border wall/fence’s construction represents a major about-face by the federal government, as it represents the end of the semi-free movement between Likatonia and Lodamun. The construction of the Trans Seleyan Railroad represents a major step forward for regional integration on the Seleyan continent, as it allowed for near free movement of people, goods and services between the nations where the tracks ran. A large part of its success primarily hinged on a softening of customs and immigration checks, or in the case of Lodamun, a removal of transborder checks for rail-bound freight and passenger traffic entering Lodamun. Although previously during the initial period wherein Likatonia had been sanctioned by the Anantonese Empire for its support of the fascist putsch regime in Kundrati, the movement of rail traffic had been suspended between Likatonia and Lodamun, the construction of the border wall/fence would ultimately mean significant reductions in railway traffic between the two nations. The act notes that although cross-border movement (from Lodamun to Likatonia and vice-versa) will not be suspended, all traffic between the two states will be subject to immigration and customs searches. 

“The act sets out clearly the conditions which will be present at the border. If you’re moving by car, you’re ultimately going to be funnelled into a series of border checkpoints wherein you may be asked to prove your identity by producing a passport or government-issued ID (from either Likatonia or Lodamun). If you’re moving by foot, you may be asked by Border Patrol agents (who will be patrolling the hinterland) to prove your identity. If you’re travelling by train, railway checkpoints will be constructed and similar to if you were travelling by car or by foot, you will be asked to prove your identity. Train cars will be stopped, and Border Patrol agents will board said trains to conduct immigration checks throughout the entire train (the experience may vary as it may entail a simple sweep of the train to searches of luggage and other carry-on). Freight trains will be sent through non-invasive x-ray scanners which will be constructed alongside the tracks themselves,” Whitehall Press Secretary Meryl Vinson explained during a press conference. Here she noted that much of the checks and procedures which come with air travel were essentially being translated to cross-border travel as a result of the wall/fence’s construction.

The Department of Domestic Security, which has been designated as the line ministry responsible for the border wall/fence’s construction, has noted that owing to the relative size of the Likatonian-Lodamese border, the construction of the wall/fence, is unlikely to take decades but could be expensive. At the Whitehall Press briefing, the Secretary of Domestic Security Eli Wilson noted that preliminary designs for the border wall/fence would likely place the project’s price tag at some 20.5 billion LOD over a decade-long period. Both the Civil Projects Administration (CPA) and the Lodamese Army’s Corps of Engineers are expected to be attached to the project as the federal government has sought to both fund and construct the wall/fence via public means. Geophones are currently being sourced as Secretary Wilson noted that they may be necessary for persons seeking to dig shallow tunnels underneath the wall/fence’s semi-deep foundations. Some have noted that the economic impact of the border wall/fence and the end of semi-free movement between Likatonia and Lodamun could have varying effects. Here they noted that the flow of remittances between the two states would likely be affected as border patrol agents could impose a limit on the amount of money an individual may have on their person. Others have noted that the flow of goods, services and people would ultimately be affected as trains being searched could cause delays. The Department of Civic Services has noted that it intends to work with the Lodamese Revenue Authority to digitise and simplify the customs/immigration process to allow for greater processing speeds at checkpoints.