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 live in "the other area". We're the largest county in the lower 48 states, and one of the poorest. We can only afford our 14 man sheriff's department with the help of state and federal grants now. What do you have against us?
This is going to destroy our local economy (built on ranching, hunting, nature tourism) for what? A feel-good political sop to folks in Indiana or Iowa? A boondoogle for Boeing? OK, so are you gonna put us all on welfare or what?
Really? For President? Thanks for the info Ernest.
So your economy, on the border, is based on illegal alien smuggling, drug smuggling and illegal border crossings. Or is it based on cattle rustling Mexican cows?
How is a fence on the border going to "hurt" your economy if it's pretty much based on agriculture and tourism?
quit smuggling Mexicans across the border and get a normal job... If you're a psychic I'd suggest that you play the lottery.
Fence is waste of money......need workplace enforcement, welfare denial, and interior apprehensions. Turn off the magnet.
E X A C T L Y.......and there is no evidence this will ever happen.
B U M P
Nice observation, Senator Stevens very proud.
You mean that it is possible that a newspaper would publish incorrect quotes or take statements out of context to distort the intentions of a Republican? My mind boggles! My world falls apart around me!</sarcasm>
I guess we will have to wait for Cornyn's refutation or clarification of his comments.
Amazing that for the first time in 6 years, a Federal project won't happen due to lack of funding.
I wonder what message they would get if everyone voted against all the incumbents?
Ping!
What a cynical (and stupid) thing to say! Frist needs to disavow all knowledge of this guy, pronto! I wasn't aware that we had a problem with "virtual illegals" that a "virtual fence" will solve.
And what about the water rights?
Click at the link below for more on anchor babies...
Anchor Babies: The Children of Illegal Aliens
From the link:
Why does the United States continue to allow a practice subject to widespread abuse? The answer lies in how American courts have interpreted the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.
And a minor point. Brits are subjects. Americans are citizens.
A Constitutional amendment would end the debate.
OK, so build a pair of chain-link fences, with a minefield in between. Fairly cheap
Ditto
How?
Both parties want illegal immigration, and will frankly tell us to shut up. What are the options?
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