Thread: Arizona mayor opposes razor wire on border fence

Arizona mayor opposes razor wire on border fence

By Matthew Casey, Special to CNN
updated 4:51 PM EDT, Fri July 12, 2013


A proposal to put razor wire atop parts of the border fence near Nogales, Arizona, shown here in 2010, faces opposition.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Razor wire could be placed atop the border fence near Nogales, Arizona
• The area is considered part of the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector
• The Tucson Sector is a major drug and human trafficking corridor
• Mayor serves on Southwest Border Task Force and is Nogales native

(CNN) -- An Arizona mayor is comparing a Border Patrol proposal to put razor wire on portions of the U.S.-Mexico border fence to building the Berlin Wall.
"We've had a black eye because everybody is using the border as a political issue," Nogales Mayor Arturo Garino said in a phone interview.
The proposal, according to Garino, would put concertina wire on top of the 20-foot-high fence to the east and west of town.
Border Patrol officials declined to be interviewed but released a short statement.
"Tucson Sector Border Patrol is considering a proposed deployment of concertina wire in the Nogales area," Border Patrol spokesperson Brent Cagen wrote in an e-mail. "Currently this proposal is still under review. Specifics concerning this proposal are unavailable at this time."
Cagen did not immediately respond to an e-mail requesting more details.
Nogales is a major trade hub on the border, abutting the Mexican state of Sonora. It is considered part of the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, which consists of 262 miles stretching from the Arizona-New Mexico border to Yuma County, near Lukeville.
Garino, a former law enforcement officer and member of the Southwest Border Task Force, praised the Border Patrol for the "tremendous" decrease in drug and human trafficking in southern Arizona. But he said adding razor wire will negatively affect international trade.
"I strongly believe we don't need it," he said. "It's an eyesore. It's a dangerous thing. We need to build relations with Sonora and Mexico. Let's become a power in the world economy."
Nogales officials will meet with Homeland Security personnel next week to continue reviewing the proposal, which is being considered as a deterrent to would-be illegal crossers, Garino said.
"Right now, it's a proposal," he said. "But if somebody says 'yes.' It's going up."
Garino grew up in Nogales and said he thinks the best deterrent is increased manpower. Agents should be reassigned from checkpoints and interior bases to the border, he said.
"Bring the Border Patrol to the border and have them do their jobs."
'The Bridge' brings U.S.-Mexico border tensions to TV

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/07/12/the-shady-group-behind-the-african-american-anti-immigration-rally.html

Published July 12, 2013
Fox News Latino



In a move that could be viewed as further militarization of the border, the Border Patrol is considering putting concertina wire along the fence to the east and west of downtown Nogales, Arizona.

The idea, which has generated a degree of anger from the Arizona town’s city council, would add another sector of the border fence to be covered in the razor-sharp wire. Currently the fence separating San Diego and Tijuana is the only section to have concertina wire covering its top portion.

The Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector “is considering a proposed deployment of concertina wire in the Nogales area,” spokesman Brent Cagen wrote in an email to the Nogales International newspaper. The proposal, however, is still under review and “specifics concerning this proposal are unavailable at this time.”

Local politicians and residents are angry with the proposal, claiming that they are concerned with the dangers of razor wire, the injuries that might be sustained by people trying to climb it and the image that it portrays.

“It kind of gives me an image of Hitler coming back,” said Councilman John Doyle. “I think that it’s a little too strong. If somebody gets tangled up there, their eyes go or their legs get cut.”

Despite the protests, the proposal to put concertina wire on Arizona’s border fencing is nothing new. In 2010, then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords requested a border barrier in Nogales that would “incorporate double-wall fencing, concertina wire... and vehicle ditches” from the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security. This plan, however, was pulled off and when the fence was originally constructed in 2011 it consisted of a single-layer, bollard-style fence without concertina wire.

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/new...ng-in-arizona/

We've had razor wire on our fence for years in CA.

/ AP

In this Nov. 17, 2008 file photo, a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle stands guard along the border fence with its concertino wire topping it, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)

JOHN GIBBINS / Union-Tribune

A Border Patrol vehicle yesterday drove in the strip between the primary border fence and a secondary fence that recently was topped with razor-studded concertina wire.
Latest News - Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 - Updated 8:20 am

JOHN GIBBINS / Union-Tribune

War zone: The wire goes up

Sharp decline seen in illegal crossings
Concertina wire bolsters segment of border fence

JOHN GIBBINS / Union-Tribune

Nogales residents weigh in on proposed concertina wire to border fence

Posted: Jul 12, 2013 5:32 PM by Erika Flores
Updated: Jul 12, 2013 5:42 PM



NOGALES-Border crossers may soon have a more difficult time in some parts of Nogales.

The Border Patrol is looking at a plan to add razor-wire and coiled metal strands to the border fence.

Mary Ann Bocz lives right next to the border fence.

"I've had issues where they've brought marijuana into my yard," said Bocz.

She's had rocks thrown in her direction and people trespassing onto her property.

"I was like, ‘why do you need to come inside my house?' and he said, ‘I need to hide from Border Patrol,'" said Bocz.

She said she constantly has to call Border Patrol.

"I really feel sorry for these people, but yet you don't know anymore who to trust," said Bocz.

She said adding razor wire to the fence could be a good idea.

"It could slow down a lot. Yes, it could," she said.

Border Patrol is considering adding concertina wire.

The city said they were told the wire would be ten feet from the ground on the U.S. side of the border.

"It's going to cause more injuries and it's not needed," said Nogales Councilman Cesar Parada.

Parada said the city is preparing a formal statement of protest.

Other people living near the fence agree with the city.

They told News 4 Tucson they believe adding the wire would be inhumane.

"It will kill people or hurt people more than it will do any good," said "Enrique."

"Enrique" doesn't want his identity shown for fear of retaliation.

He lives near the border fence and has seen how the drug runners operate.

"What I have seen is when they jump there's always a car waiting for them, and they just load it up. The car takes off, and then the kids crossing just jump (back) over," said "Enrique."

"Enrique" fears if the wires do go up, he might see a tragedy after someone jumps over the fence and gets stuck on the razor sharp wires.

It's a tragedy the city doesn't want to deal with either.

The city has already started writing a resolution protesting the concertina wire, and they tell News 4 Tucson they hope to have it out to Congress soon.

This is Border Patrol's response:

"Tucson Sector Border Patrol is considering a proposed deployment of concertina wire in the Nogales area. Currently this proposal is still under review. Specifics concerning this proposal are unavailable at this time."

http://www.kvoa.com/news/nogales-residents-weigh-in-on-proposed-concertina-wire-to-border-fence/

Plan calls for adding razor wire to border fence

By Associated Press
Originally published: Jul 13, 2013 - 1:00 pm

NOGALES, Ariz. -- City officials have concerns about a plan by federal authorities to add concertina wire along the border fence to the east and west of downtown Nogales.

Nogales Councilman Cesar Parada told KVOA that the razor-sharp wire will cause more injuries and is not needed. He said the city is preparing a formal statement of protest.

However, one resident who lives next to the fence said the wire could be a good idea. Mary Ann Bocz said she has to constantly call Border Patrol about drug runners and trespassers in the area.

Border Patrol officials have said the proposal is still under review.

Under the plan, the city says the wire would be 10 feet from the ground on the U.S. side of the border.
___ Information from: KVOA-TV, http://www.kvoa.com

http://ktar.com/22/1648344/Plan-calls-for-adding-razor-wire-to-border-fence

Immigration 2013: Arizona mayor opposes razor wire on border fence


Border fence near Douglas, Arizona
Photographer: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Posted: 10:59 AM
By: CNN WireAn Arizona mayor is comparing a Border Patrol proposal to put razor wire on portions of the U.S.-Mexico border fence to building the Berlin Wall.
"We've had a black eye because everybody is using the border as a political issue," Nogales Mayor Arturo Garino said.
The proposal, according to Garino, would put concertina wire on top of the 20-foot-high fence to the east and west of town.
"Tucson Sector Border Patrol is considering a proposed deployment of concertina wire in the Nogales area," Border Patrol spokesman Brent Cagen wrote in an e-mail. "Currently this proposal is still under review. Specifics concerning this proposal are unavailable at this time."
Nogales is a major trade hub on the border, abutting the Mexican state of Sonora. It is considered part of the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, which consists of 262 miles stretching from the Arizona-New Mexico border to Yuma County, near Lukeville.
Garino, a former law enforcement officer and member of the Southwest Border Task Force, praised the Border Patrol for the "tremendous" decrease in drug and human trafficking in southern Arizona. But he said that adding razor wire will negatively affect international trade.
"I strongly believe we don't need it," he said. "It's an eyesore. It's a dangerous thing. We need to build relations with Sonora and Mexico. Let's become a power in the world economy."
Victor Brabble, public affairs manager for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said Garino's concerns will be taken into account before a final decision is made.
"We are consulting with community leaders to evaluate the economic, environmental, political, and social implications our proposals may have on the communities we serve," he wrote in an e-mail.
Nogales City Councilman John Doyle, a Nogales native, echoed Garino's opposition to the proposal and said he was shocked to learn about it.
"We've always been the home of the brave, and now we are living in fear," he said.
Nogales officials will meet with Homeland Security personnel this week to continue reviewing the proposal, which is being considered as a deterrent to would-be illegal crossers, Garino said.
"Right now, it's a proposal," he said. "But if somebody says 'yes,' it's going up."
Garino also grew up in Nogales and said he thinks the best deterrent is increased manpower. Agents should be reassigned from checkpoints and interior bases to the border, he said.
"Bring the Border Patrol to the border and have them do their jobs."

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region...#ixzz2Z8oaCoA9