EL PASO, Texas, Oct. 25, 2007
U.S.-Mexico Border Fence Plan Nixed
Texas Landowners Have Refused To Allow Federal Government To Build 370 Mile Steel Fence
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A glove abandoned by its owner hangs caught on a barbed wire fence along the US-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Opponents of the fence refused federal workers access to their land last month in South Texas. About the same time, the government offered to pay some property owners $3,000 in exchange for permission to conduct surveys for the project.
After many of them balked at the money on principle, the government abandoned the plan.
"I think it's blood money, bribery," said Brownsville Mayor Patricio M. Ahumada Jr.
The proposal to build 370 miles of steel fence is widely opposed in the Rio Grande Valley, the most heavily populated part of the Texas-Mexico border and a region with an economy and culture dependent on cross-border traffic.
The payments were being offered in a region where the median family income is about $30,000. But instead of welcoming the windfall, many residents were outraged when federal officials described the payment plan.
Ahumada, whose border city has already denied fence-planners access to city property, said the payments were insulting and disingenuous.
"The federal government is doing all it can to get access," Ahumada said. "They are thinning the herd (of opposition), so to speak, one by one. These tactics are not unusual when they want to get something done like this."
Johnny Hart, owner of the Riverside Club in Mission, said he sees the money as "nothing more than a bribe." But he wouldn't turn it down.
"Give me $3,000 and you can survey all you want, but it doesn't mean I am not going to fight you" on building the fence, Hart said.
Congress has authorized $1.2 billion to build 700 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. The project includes about 330 miles of so-called virtual fence - a network of cameras, high-tech sensors, radar and other technology. The remaining sections, primarily in urban areas are expected to have an actual fence. About 70 miles of actual fence is planned in South Texas.
Noel Benavides, a city councilman and business owner in Roma, said the payments would cloud the issue.
"If this was really something that was going to be beneficial to the whole community and the whole nation, I would be the first person to say, 'My friend, you can go in there and do what you need to do,"' Benavides said. "It's going to be a waste of time. It's not going to stop illegal immigrants."
Benavides, a lifelong resident of Roma, said residents and local governments may eventually lose their battle against the fence, but they plan to keep fighting. State officials, including Republican Gov. Rick Perry, also oppose plans to build the fence.
On Tuesday, Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo who is opposed to the fence, said Homeland Security authorities told him the payment plan was off. He did not elaborate.
It was not clear what prompted the change of heart. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Brad Benson did not return several phone calls from The Associated Press.
Ahumada said the issue was also a matter of historical and patriotic pride.
"You are talking about land that Texans and Americans shed blood for to keep," he said. "And now they are trying to move the border further north than established by treaty."
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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See all 116 Comments"You are talking about land that Texans and Americans shed blood for to keep," he said. "And now they are trying to move the border further north than established by treaty."
??? The Rio Grande forms the border in Texas. Where exactly are they trying to move the border north at?
The Building and Safety inspectors have authority to go on private land. The Federal Government can''t?
This is just more BS.
Let''s get the fence built. I rally don''t think the personal opinion of some guy by the name of Benavides is worthy of consideration reagarding not stopping illegal immigrants. Of course a fence will stop them. He obviously supports open borders, which is his right, but how can he stop the Government from building it? I don''t get it.
Can''t they put a gate and inspection station there so the area can survive on cross-border traffic? Legals only please.
If there were power lines going through there, the land owners couldn''t do much about it because of utility easements.
Oh well, the land owners won''t let us on their land...let''s call off the project. Maybe these kind land owners can build houses and feed all the illegals that cross over on their land(?)
Posted by Klingon69 at 10:18 AM : Oct 25, 2007
You mean steal...Texas colonialist enter the Mexican terrority under false pretenses, signed agreements to abide by Mexican laws, which at the time OUTLAWED SLAVERY...
At least get your history right!
Interesting how border communities are not so supportive of the "FENCE" and in Texas of all places! Go figure, I would have thought that they would have built a fence that would dwarf the Great Wall of China.
However, more distrubing is that the NEOCONs on this tread now propose to disregard property rights to build this fence...CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!
This anti-immigrant stance is going to bit all of US in the behind big time! a.k.a. karma
Posted by ozilot at 11:09 AM : Oct 25, 2007
1st, it wasn''t my statement, reread the article. Ahumada said it not me, thus the quotation marks...
2nd, Texas colonists did abide by the law, many excaped slaves were assisted into Texas by American settlers, learn your history. Texans gained independence from Mexico due to San Jacinto Battle. This followed the massacres at Goliad, and The Alamo. For about 10 years Texas was its own country, it wasn''t until Mexico tried to retake that texas became a state in 1845.
Of course border cities and communities are against it, those who are not profiting off the coyotes, don''t care. They know few if any of the illegals will stay too near the border.
You are 100% right and also you also forgot to sys that the whole west was stolen from Mexico,
Posted by ozilot at 11:09 AM : Oct 25, 2007
Check this out Ozzi
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/january2007/300107Immigration.htm
Theodore Roosevelt''s ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907:
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person''s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something
else also, isn''t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907
The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight. Theodore Roosevelt
Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English or leave the country. Theodore Roosevelt
Mexico''s Immigration Law: Let''s Try It Here at Home
Mexico has a single, streamlined law that ensures that foreign visitors and immigrants are:
in the country legally;
have the means to sustain themselves economically;
not destined to be burdens on society;
of economic and social benefit to society;
of good character and have no criminal records; and
contributors to the general well-being of the nation.
The law also ensures that:
immigration authorities have a record of each foreign visitor;
foreign visitors do not violate their visa status;
foreign visitors are banned from interfering in the country%u2019s internal politics;
foreign visitors who enter under false pretenses are imprisoned or deported;
foreign visitors violating the terms of their entry are imprisoned or deported;
those who aid in illegal immigration will be sent to prison.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=14632
we should do the same here in the union of
soviet america. one day our ''free'' country
will be ''free'' again. don''t get your hopes
up though.
If land can be taken for a strip center or hotel, surely SOVERNTY is a good reason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you don''t believe me, I invite you to stay on my street! Your impression will change in a couple of minutes time. There are so many crimes associated with these people, that they are the true TERRORISTS - Right under our noses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One of his prime initiatives was to build that fence. Guess shrub wasn''t expecting his old state to balk at his useless plan!!
Shrub, drowning under his failures as president. Is there ANYTHING that he has accomplished besides those 2 righties on the Supreme Court that is going to stick with us???
Everyday Justice Stevens lives is another day won!!
Eminent Domain
Introducing the law by which the government can appropriate private property.
OK,,,, IT IS FIXED,,,
can the usa have this immigration law?
Mexico''s Immigration Law: Let''s Try It Here at Home
Mexico has a single, streamlined law that ensures that foreign visitors and immigrants are:
in the country legally;
have the means to sustain themselves economically;
not destined to be burdens on society;
of economic and social benefit to society;
of good character and have no criminal records; and
contributors to the general well-being of the nation.
The law also ensures that:
immigration authorities have a record of each foreign visitor;
foreign visitors do not violate their visa status;
foreign visitors are banned from interfering in the country%u2019s internal politics;
foreign visitors who enter under false pretenses are imprisoned or deported;
foreign visitors violating the terms of their entry are imprisoned or deported;
those who aid in illegal immigration will be sent to prison.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=14632
every demonic-rat presidential candidate is for amnesty and against building the fence,,,
Posted by Prinzowhales at 12:54 PM : Oct 25, 2007
That lets out most of the Dems and Reps, including the Clintons.
''DREAM Act'' backers still dreaming
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1007/6545.html
TWO WORDS,,,,
Eminent Domain
Introducing the law by which the government can appropriate private property.
Posted by rerrorislam3 at 12:45 PM : Oct 25, 2007
Imminent Domain?! I always thought it was Eminent Domain myself!
Looks like cold, hard cash wins out over keeping illegals out, eh?
Go figure. If this fence had been built, it probably would have hampered the efforts of cheap laborers from Mexico to work that borderland!
Your position that "The devil made me do it," is a scapegoat for reasonable accountability and to a lesser extent, responsibility through repentance. Logical people, even those of faith, know that personal choice is God given, in his image we are made. The devil doesn''t make us do anything, far from it, to the point of quoting scripture--like as given when Jesus was in the desert for 40 days.
Bush is a man, one who refuses to admits mistakes for the sake of losing his base. That''s more a truth than the devil being in the details.
Six undocumented Mexican immigrants were arrested today by U.S. Border Patrol agents at Qualcomm Stadium, after a report that they were stealing food and water meant for evacuees, according to spokesman Damon Foreman.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/breakingnews/2007/10/six-undocumente.html
.
These irresponsible Texas ranchers should not be allowed to interfere with the critical efforts to protect America''s boarders and stop the massive and criminal invasion of this country. Under the REAL ID Act, Chertoff should have the authority to proceed with the building of the much-needed fence, regardless of the self-serving actions of these slimebag farmers.
Let''s do what is necessary to protect this country.
.
Posted by r_bayless at 12:52 PM : Oct 25, 2007
Good point. Shopping malls create more sales, which boost our economy. Fences build barriers to exchange of markets and increase the prices of those goods in isolated markets. The law of Supply and Demand will then reduce availble products and services, and increase the prices of those that survive--thereby increasing the cost of living, reduce savings, and create an enviornment where there will be less jobs.
Your point is well taken alright. Dimwit.
Posted by ozilot at 02:22 PM : Oct 25, 2007
Oh, that''s simple. More votes from the bumper sticker crowd. The Bible thumpin bumpkins. The evangelicals of the GOP who speak out of both sides of their mouth. Those that hate their neighbors, the poor, and the helpless; but love themselves and their money.
Michael Turley, a financial advisor from San Diego, was volunteering at the San Diego evacuation center Wednesday, handing out food and other goods to displaced families, when he saw a half-dozen people using wheelchairs to load supplies into tents, then shifting them into cars and trucks with Baja California license plates.
"It was a total slap in the face," said Turley, who has been volunteering at the stadium since Monday. "Here we had been volunteering and busting our butts, and people were taking all this."
Turley approached the people, but they told him they didn%u2019t speak English. He called in police, who questioned the three couples. They had three children with them %u2014 two boys, ages 13 and 8, and a 2 year-old girl.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/breakingnews/
Posted by jusdane at 02:24 PM : Oct 25, 2007
The cost to taxpayers, is substantialy outweighed by the savings to consumers--you and me. If I were you, I would be more concerned about that $1.1Billion dollar price tag for the fence, that is what is coming from the taxpayer--and is corporate welfare.
Start thinking with your brain--I don''t tolerate fools well.
Police determined that none of them were evacuees, according to San Diego Police spokeswoman Monica Munoz. Two couples, including the children%u2019s parents, admitted to being undocumented Mexican immigrants and were turned over to immigration agents, Munoz said. The third couple was released without being charged, Munoz said.
Munoz said that starting tonight, police will be asking for identification from those entering the stadium.
Turley said he understands that police are "stretched thin" and said they and National Guardsmen have done a good job of securing the stadium.
"It really is a completely different thing than Katrina, but you still have some of that occurring," Turley said. "That just ate me up. A lot of us have families who were evacuated."
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/breakingnews/
Posted by sunsetbillyb at 02:35 PM : Oct 25, 2007
do not worry,,, the citizens of the usa want to deport you as well as the illegals,,,
Posted by sunsetbillyb at 02:35 PM : Oct 25, 2007
How funny. It''s cute when cowards call others what they themselves refuse to acknowledge about their cause. Cowardly murdering innocent people, cowardly committing suicide, cowardly forcing their own opinions on other through force. This forum is for people of free will, using free speech, and applying principles of freedom for all. Take your cowardly stuff and go elsewhere.
Posted by sunsetbillyb at 02:35 PM : Oct 25, 2007
please tell me,,, what was muhammad''s religion before he tried to convert to judaism???
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