Posted on 05/22/2002 11:05:59 PM PDT by Shermy
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico on Wednesday pledged to build 10 towers along sections of its 2,000-mile border with the United States to provide emergency water for migrants who become dehydrated while trying to sneak illegally across the desert frontier.
The first of the towers is scheduled to go up in June in the Altar Desert in Mexico's northern state of Sonora.
Each year thousands of Mexicans attempt the often-perilous crossing of the U.S.-Mexico border, with many of them losing their lives due to dehydration and extreme temperatures.
"These will be towers about 100 feet in height with panels to capture sunlight during the day to provide energy for light after dark and provide visibility of about 10 kilometers (six miles)," said Felipe de Jesus Preciado of Mexico's National Immigration Institute (INM).
The towers, which will cost about $20,000 each to build, will store drinking water and will be staffed by INM agents, Preciado told reporters.
In May 2001, 14 Mexicans died from dehydration in the Arizona desert after they were abandoned by the guide they had paid to lead them to safety in the United States.
Thirsty migrants who go to the towers for help will be sent back into Mexico after being provided with water.
I've noticed they've framed the whole immigration issue on the "dehydrated" people, invoking the charity and caring of their cause. Like they gave a damn for decades. Probably some American P.R. firm gave them a public face lift.
Act of War.
Tuor
But $20,000?? That isn't going to buy much of ANY thing 100 feet high, particularly built by government. Twenty grand wouldn't pay for a simple antenna mast 100 feet tall, much less a structure of any kind, particularly one bearing weight, collecting water...????
And they will continue until we get serious and bombard the Critters continuously about this issue. We must insist that those who HIRE illegals be severely punished...no slap on the wrists. It's obvious that the powerful lobbies want this cheap labor, but they're not only doing us out of our jobs, but costing us a fortune in taxpayer funded services. Enough is enough. Funny how so many Reps bellow when money is spent helping citizens in any way, but they stay silent about the taxpayer subsidizing of their cheap labor.
I'm thinking they could put a draw bridge type thing on each of the towers that lowers across the river or fence at the push of a button.
And if this test project works, they could set up a little "welcome to America" information kiosk thing at its base - kinda like those things out on the interstates when you cross into a new state. It could be complete with picnic tables, port-o-cans, and a little kid peddling souvenirs made out of yarn and popsicle sticks.
We should be the ones building towers. Armed with orders to shoot all trespassers.
I don't mean to be picky, but shouldn't it be called the National Emigration Institute?
I agree.
I also wonder if they will be monitoring communications, especially of the border patrol. Will they harbor terrorists? Drug runners? Snipers who shoot at our border patrol?
This will create target rich environments of "migrants".
The INS and American Patrol can create their own using flood lights on cherry pickers. Sorta like a bug attracter - wait till it gets dark, raise it up and draw them in like flies.
Mmm....Lifesavers.
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