Posted on 10/04/2006 8:19:08 PM PDT by axes_of_weezles
Cornyn: 700 miles of border fence won't happen Senator says plan isn't practical, doesn't have the necessary funds.
By Eunice Moscoso WASHINGTON BUREAU Wednesday, October 04, 2006
WASHINGTON — Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican and key liaison to the White House on immigration, said Tuesday that 700 miles of fencing approved by Congress for the United States' southern border will probably not be built because of a lack of money and other practical considerations. "It's one thing to authorize. It's another thing to actually appropriate the money and do it," he said.
Cornyn predicted that some fencing would be built as part of a comprehensive strategy that includes more Border Patrol agents, more technology, more detention facilities and various physical barriers.
"There's different kinds of fencing. . . . There's the old fence post and barbed wire, and then there's the virtual fence, which is a combination of physical barriers, people and technology, and I think, in the end, that will probably be how this is addressed," he said.
Cornyn added that 700 miles of fencing would not solve the problem of illegal immigration because it would still leave about 1,300 miles of unfenced border.
"I'm not sure that's the most practical use of that money," he said.
In many border areas, the federal government would have to figure out how to compensate land owners for the property used for the fence, which raises a lot of practical questions, he said.
In addition, residents in the Rio Grande Valley, El Paso and South Texas are concerned that a fence could harm legal trade and commerce back and forth across the border, which is key to jobs and the economy in those areas, he said.
Cornyn defended the Senate vote for the fencing, saying it was a symbolic gesture to show that Congress is serious about protecting the border.
The Senate cleared the bill late Friday, and President Bush has said he would sign it. But Congress approved only $1.2 billion for fencing, barriers and other infrastructure in a separate homeland security measure. Estimates for the 700 miles range from $2 billion to $7 billion.
Also Tuesday, the 7-year-old son of an illegal immigrant and community leader made a plea to President Bush to halt deportation hearings for his mother, Elvira Arellano.
Arellano made national headlines in August when she refused to surrender for deportation and took refuge in a Methodist church in Chicago. On Friday, a federal judge refused her latest attempt to remain in the country.
The boy, Saul Arellano, was a guest at a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute conference.
At a press conference, the boy held up a letter he said he wrote to Bush asking for a meeting.
"I want you to know that there are more than 3 million children like me. We are U.S. citizens, but the government is taking away our mothers and fathers," the letter said.
White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said that the White House received the letter and will review it but that all individual immigration matters are referred to the Department of Homeland Security.
emoscoso@coxnews.com
Additional material from staff writer Tara Copp.
I'm guessing that this guys nickname is dumba*S?
I hope more people than just me are saying, "Told ya."
We don' need no steenking symbols! We need to stop the invasion. Period!!
If Congress is serious then it won't be symbolic.
The idiot can state whatever he likes, they voted for a fence, we're going to get the fence whether he intends it to happen or not.
Chertoff the other day was making all sorts of noise about deals with Boeing for high tech stuff that I think this money will be used for.
It's perfect stuff. It can be turned off, and it funds big ticket lobbies.
The fencing is relatively cheap and not high profit. What does the fence bulding lobby got?
Start building, even if it is only a few miles, until the money runs out.
Humor break for "legal":
"In addition, residents in the Rio Grande Valley, El Paso and South Texas are concerned that a fence could harm legal trade and commerce back and forth across the border, which is key to jobs and the economy in those areas, he said. "
That would be Dumass, right?
not sure what the heck these guys are thinking, but a 700 mile fence in the worst areas would slow down the flood a little bit freeing some agents to go to other areas.. not sure why he
doesn't understand that.
DU-Mass... :) LOL
IMAO, any land owner should be more than willing to cooperate with ICE and help build the fence.
And there is the "utility right-of-way" which exists to provide for utilities, why not for this fence?
I have a solution that will absolve the Gov from breaking up familys: No anchor babys
At the border there is a 200ft right of way the feds own.
Cornyn's a dumbass. He does not want any fencing in Texas.
We will take it in Arizona, and Im pretty sure New Mexico and California will take more.
"not sure what the heck these guys are thinking, but a 700 mile fence in the worst areas would slow down the flood a little"
A lot. That's why some are worried.
He's right that more than a "fence" is needed. Some areas it is impractical.
But I predict of the 1.2 billion 1.15 billion will go to Boeing and producers of other "virtual" border monitoring devices.
The Idea that the "money isn't there" is ridiculous. Don't build a B-2 bomber for a year.
It would a lot cheaper and probably more effective.
How 'bout 'cause he doesn't want to understand?
Keep the B2's. Stop federal repayments for illegals under medicare, welfare, SSI for a year. There would be plenty to do everything without taking it from the military.
no doubt, they are spending like junkies but they can't spend any to protect us.. hmmm.
Nope, you are one of many. Congress critters are like that, everything is symbolic. They seem to think of us as the equivalent of the third world toothless masses. It will continue until We the People do something about it.
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