Work on Texas border wall to begin soon: Chertoff

Reuters via Drudge Report ^ | July 19, 2007 | Reuters

[RDTF]

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Construction on a border wall in southern Texas is expected to begin by this autumn, despite strong local opposition, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in an interview published on Thursday.

Chertoff told the Houston Chronicle the federal government "can't rule out" using powers of eminent domain to seize land for the wall that is intended to stem the flow of illegal immigrants entering the United States from Mexico.

In heavily Hispanic southern Texas, where cultural and economic ties to Mexico run deep, local officials, business groups and environmentalists have spoken out against the wall as unnecessary and unwanted.

But Chertoff said national security was at stake, so the project will move ahead shortly.

"I expect we'll be doing some construction in Texas this fiscal year," he said, referring to the government fiscal year ending September 30.

-snip-

[SwinneySwitch]

Laredo border fence offers possible comparisons[erected in 2005]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859730/posts

[AuntB]

Ewww...is right, but it’s apparent someone is getting ‘serviced’ somewhere in this deal.

[kabar]

I’m in favor of a wall all along the entire border, but why start it here, where there’s local opposition? Why not start it in Arizona, where the ranchers are crying out from relief from armed-gangs migrating north over their land?

Because the WH wants the issue of people opposing the construction of the fence thereby stalling overall construction. It plays well in the media for the open border types.

[LaineyDee]

Now here’s an example of eminent domain as it was originally intended.

And.....protests by natural U.S. citizens would be minimal. I think we're all pretty much in agreement that we would do whatever it takes to turn this tide.

[bennowens]

2013!! Are you kidding me? When (not if) there is another attack on US soil, it will highlight this as the number one blunder of our time, and we should hold the recalcitrant officials responsible.

[rineaux]

I know that is not the fence they are building. chertoff’s idea of a fence is really just yellow caution tape.

[hgro]

“Work on Texas border wall to begin soon: Chertoff”

How about starting today you klutz.

[AuntB]

“Chertoff told the Houston Chronicle the federal government “can’t rule out” using powers of eminent domain to seize land for the wall that is intended to stem the flow of illegal immigrants entering the United States from Mexico.”

Now here’s an example of eminent domain as it was originally intended.

Exactly. I understood there is already a 'buffer' zone easement on private property on the border. B4, do you know?

If I lived on the border I'd give the government an easement to get a GOOD fence.

[Mamzelle]

thanks--that was exactly the story I was looking for. Goes to show that there is some need for a fence in some places--

Why should a college get to have a fence, when America can't?

[SwinneySwitch]

Chertoff said security needs will dictate the fence’s type and location. “Because the fence is not only to protect the border communities, it’s to protect the country,” he said.

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[wideawake]

Lived here for hundreds of years? Amazing longevity.

Apparently you are unable to read English. I will repost:

Why should Tejanos leave the country their ancestors fought for and which their families have lived in for hundreds of years?

In an English relative clause, "families" is the antecedent of "lived."

They have had a couple hundred years and are not yet citizens? What gives?

Tejanos are not citizens? Since when?

Do you really not know a single thing about the history of Texas?

That is some major vacation/siesta time. Vamoose. Or serve time and be escorted home. We Americans are reasonable people, but not total fools.

Translation: you advocate deporting and/or imprisoning American citizens for the crime of being ethnically Mexican.

Acquire a grip.

[Dixie Yooper]

Why should Tejanos leave the country their ancestors fought for and which their families have lived in for hundreds of years?

If they and their ancestors have lived on this side of the border for hundreds of years, that would make them Americans and they belong here. If however, their ancestors fought on the loosing side of the Mexican American War and had to leave after 1848, then they are Mexicans and need to apply through the proper channels to come back and live as Americans.

[wideawake]

It is moronic to call for the deportation of American citizens because they oppose building a wall. Perhaps they are being selfish for wanting to make it easier to visit their relatives in Mexico - but we don’t deport Americans for that.

[mass55th]

Is that your gut feeling Mike?

[Dixie Yooper]

I never said American citizens should be deported, but if they want to go to Mexico for a visit, us the check points.

[Resolute Conservative]

Because they do not want to follow the rules and laws of the country they reside in for starters.

[Plutarch]

...local officials, business groups and environmentalists have spoken out against the wall as unnecessary and unwanted.

I guess we can't build it then, because the dubious interests of the few on the border outweigh that of the rest of the Nation.

[Tennessee Nana]

PINGY

Will he or wont he actually BUILD THE WALL/FENCE?

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

My ancestors already tried that in 1861.

[southernerwithanattitude]

So we should reward criminal behavior by giving them American citizenship?

I do not understand this thinking! Its like saying its ok to steal if your poor {no matter if your poor because you like to drink and use drugs}.