Posted on 12/05/2007 11:08:51 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
McALLEN — Border mayors and county judges have scheduled an anti-border fence rally at the exact same time — and in the same building — as a federally sponsored forum on the proposed border fence.
In one week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Homeland Security are set to host an open house to allow Rio Grande Valley residents to formally submit any concerns regarding the agencies’ draft Environmental Impact Statement, a 538-page assessment of how the 12- to 15-foot fence will effect the local environment.
At the same time, in the McAllen Convention Center’s exhibition hall, the Texas Border Coalition — which comprises city and county officials from Brownsville to El Paso — said they expect 2,000 people to show up in protest. The Dec. 11 event is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
“I just don’t know about the town hall meeting. I don’t know if they’re sincere,” said Chad Foster, Texas Border Coalition president and mayor of Eagle Pass.
“When (U.S. Border Patrol Chief) David Aguilar was in McAllen, he made the comment there’s no plans, it’s just drawing on the back of the napkin. We know now that wasn’t the case.”
Tensions between local leaders and the government have been high since May, when a confidential DHS map was leaked to the media detailing the location of 370 miles of proposed pedestrian fence along the U.S.-Mexico border — more than 100 miles of which was slated for the Rio Grande Valley.
Federal officials called the map “preliminary,” echoing earlier assurances by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff that communities would be consulted in deciding where the wall is built. Ever since then, the feds have struggled to reassure local officials, as well as environmentalists who maintain the wall will devastate Valley wildlife.
“We have stated numerous times we want to engage in an ongoing dialogue with the community,” said Mike Friel, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“I think holding these open houses are proof-positive of our commitment.”
Chertoff has waived the environmental review process in the interest of expediting fence construction in other border regions.
The border coalition has criticized the federal environmental review as too dismissive of alternative means of border security, such as high-tech surveillance technology and the eradication of carrizo cane, which grows in vast thickets along the Rio Grande and serves as a hiding place for illegal immigrants.
Lately, border leaders have become more and more creative in voicing their concerns.
In June, Steve Ahlenius, president of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, jokingly sent a press release to media outlets nationwide suggesting the government build a wall around Washington, D.C.
And lobbying firms in both Austin and Washington, D.C., have been hired to try and raise anti-border fence sentiment among leaders in Congress.
“We’ve been talking about different sorts of ways to be part of the process,” said Billy Moore, a partner in the international lobbying firm ViaNovo. “We’re trying to make the point there is a better way to secure the border and we need that point to be heard with policy makers.”
DHS plans to raise 370 miles of new fencing and at least 200 miles of vehicle barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border by the end of 2008.
Valle ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me
ping
Our national security and soverignty should never be compromised by pro-illegal/anti-American politicans and judges.
Eventually these border-killers are going to get sued by other cities and US citizens for propogating illegal alienism and illegal drug trade
The DHS continues to fiddle-f*** around. There should be NO environmental impact statements, the requirement for such was made unnecessary by congressional action.
This is a good reason for eminent domain.
“Our national security and soverignty should never be compromised by pro-illegal/anti-American politicans and judges.”
I wish it were some wrong-headed noble notion that motivated these folks, but in reality, it’s simple plain old-fashioned greed that drives them. I live in McAllen and all of these people have gotten wealthy on the open border and cheap illegal labor
The wall will drive a stake through their wallets.
-Toonces
Yep...I'll bet these guys are real respectful of those existing laws they keep telling the feds to keep.
Yep, you have cracked the code.
They better learn to run south very fast “when” the flare goes up......not “if”.
Stay safe !!!
If you’re planning on going to either meeting please FReepmail me.
“We’re trying to make the point there is a better way to secure the border and we need that point to be heard with policy makers.”
“A better way?” This smacks of typical liberalese. All buzzword and no plan.
BTW, where is the other meeting? I only saw McAllen...
May I suggest a moat with alligators and piranhas?
Just build the wall a few miles north, problem solved.
What a lovely sentiment, pissy! And it even addresses water issues and conservation!
Hug a tree, will ya?
LOL. I shall.
Or a mile wide mine field from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific would be another good alternative idea.
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