Posted on 05/06/2008 8:31:48 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
EL PASO — County commissioners are opposing construction of a wall along the nation's southern border with a resolution.
The El Paso County Commissioners Court voted 3-1 Monday in favor of a resolution that calls for stopping the building of the border wall and says local law enforcement officials should not enforce federal immigration laws.
The resolution also emphasizes placing a moratorium on immigration raids, ensuring the enforcement of labor laws and civil protection regardless of a worker's immigration status and stopping programs that criminalize immigrants.
Commissioner Veronica Escobar said the commissioners aren't advocating having open borders or not enforcing immigration laws with the vote.
"It's very important we tell the federal government we want a voice in policies that impact our daily lives," Escobar said. "If we allow federal or state policymakers to create policy that impacts us without expressing our own concerns, we are not doing our constituents justice."
Commissioner Miguel Teran, who put the item on the agenda, said some current immigration proposals are based on racism.
"Nine-eleven (the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001) came in from the north, but we're not building walls over there. We're building them here," he said.
The vote was preceded by mostly favorable comments about the resolution, which was first presented in another form last week by advocates of immigrant rights.
"You're joining the ranks of many communities across the country that are saying we're not going to be part of this anti-immigrant movement," said County Attorney Jose Rodriguez.
Two people spoke against the resolution. Commissioner Dan Haggerty voted against it.
"If it's not your job to enforce immigration laws, by God it's not your job to hinder the enforcement of immigration laws," Armando Cardoza said. "If you support this resolution, all you do is kick America right in the crotch," he said.
The fence is intended to help secure the border from illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and terrorism.
A coalition of Texas border mayors and county executives stretching from El Paso to Brownsville oppose building of the border wall. Residents don't want the fence cutting through their land and say it will keep them, livestock and wildlife from the life-sustaining river.
What is it that makes city councils think they can vote against national security? Anti-wall, sanctuary cities, etc. What gives?
El Paso ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
am I in the twilight zone...what the hell is wrong with the american people?
Vote the commissioners out of office or seek a recall.
Latino’s all.
balkanization and the needs of the individual over the collective.
“Commissioner Veronica Escobar said the commissioners aren’t advocating having open borders or not enforcing immigration laws with the vote.”
Yes they are. And they’ve chosen loyalty to Mexico over loyalty to the United States. And we should remember that.
They-Saved-Juan-McCain’s-Brain PING!
Yeah, Escobar. Nice anglo saxon name...I am sure he holds America's well being first & foremost.
They are reconquistas. El Paso is part of Aztlan. These city commissioners of El Paso are loyal to Mexico not the USA
Where did you get the crazy idea these people are Americans? They are Mexicans who happen to live here and same for their constituents
“If it’s not your job to enforce immigration laws, by God it’s not your job to hinder the enforcement of immigration laws,” Armando Cardoza said. “If you support this resolution, all you do is kick America right in the crotch,” he said.
Right on.
These commissioners and border city councils do have an impact on national security. What they vote on does effect national policy. These wastes of skin have decided that they want Mexicans to have access to all of the United States, and they believe there is nothing we can do about it.
Maybe they’re right. I haven’t noticed a spine in Washington lately.
More people have been killed by ILLEGALS since 911 so that excuse doesn’t hold water. Bank robbery is a federal crime so maybe the local police shouldn’t respond to that crime as well. How does one in good conscious actually condone breaking the law or deciding on which to enforce?
ping
It would seem that most the people who are for turning a blind eye to illegals coming across the border and stealing from those who are here legal and paying taxes, are those whose families are still coming or desire to come.
Stockholm Syndrome...
seems their refusal to enforce the law should be treated as a defacto resignation.
El Paso, Laredo and Brownsville are Mexico for all practical purposes.
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