Thread: Border mayors fear tough laws will hurt trade

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 22731.html

Aug. 16, 2006, 10:44PM

Border mayors fear tough laws will hurt trade
Officials reject link between terror and immigration
By JAMES PINKERTON
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

HARLINGEN — A trio of Texas border mayors said Wednesday they fear that overzealous immigration enforcement on America's southern frontier could undermine billions of dollars in U.S.-Mexico trade critical to the nation's economy.

The mayors of El Paso, Del Rio and McAllen expressed concerns that as congressional field hearings are being held across the nation, including one in Houston on Wednesday, the views of border leaders are being ignored.

''This, in my opinion, revolves around the November elections and the people in the interior being sold a bill of goods," Del Rio Mayor Chad Foster said in a conference call. ''You've never seen a terrorist come out of Mexico."

The mayors said they support a guest-worker program that they said would not only replenish an aging American work force but clamp down on human smugglers who prey on the illegal immigrants.

''There's no doubt that America is threatened by terrorism. What we don't want is to mix our fight against terrorism with immigration," said McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez, who said trade with Mexico provides 37 percent of the fast-growing city's economic activity.

Since the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect in 1994, Mexico has become the United States' second-largest commercial partner — trailing only Canada — in two-way trade valued at $244 billion in 2003.

''Trade with Mexico is an American national treasure, important to our economic security," said Cortez, adding that smart allocation of assets at border ports wouldn't force communities to ''choose between security and prosperity."

El Paso Mayor John Cook said improved technology could ''triage" the millions of legal visitors entering El Paso from Mexico. Besides eliminating delays to frequent crossers, it would allow authorities to concentrate on law breakers.

The El Paso police chief, Richard Wiles, said using local police to enforce immigration laws ''is not going to work." Not only would it chill communication with immigrants who are crime victims but would reduce enforcement of local and state laws, he said.

james.pinkerton@chron.com

The mayors said they support a guest-worker program that they said would not only replenish an aging American work force but clamp down on human smugglers who prey on the illegal immigrants.

That makes absolutely no sense. How is a guest-worker program going to clamp down on human smugglers?

Since the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect in 1994, Mexico has become the United States' second-largest commercial partner — trailing only Canada — in two-way trade valued at $244 billion in 2003.

NAFTA is, in big part, the reason we're having the crazy influx of illegals right now. Where do you think all those people that lost jobs in Mexico's farming communities (whole villages in some cases) are coming? Plus, we survived just fine without NAFTA prior to 1994 and we can survive without it again. NAFTA isn't, and never was, necessary or required for smart trading with other countries. These 3 mayors could care less about the country, it is only their cities they are worried about.

The El Paso police chief, Richard Wiles, said using local police to enforce immigration laws ''is not going to work." Not only would it chill communication with immigrants who are crime victims but would reduce enforcement of local and state laws, he said.

Tell the truth, you're just too damn lazy to do what is best for this country and your citizens!

''There's no doubt that America is threatened by terrorism. What we don't want is to mix our fight against terrorism with immigration," said McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez, who said trade with Mexico provides 37 percent of the fast-growing city's economic activity.

This idiot should get his head out of his butt long enough to find out what's going on. Terrorists are already coming across the Mexican border. There's no way to separate the two.

http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-59192.html#59192

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http://www.washtimes.com/national/20041 ... -5028r.htm

Since Cortez depends the illegals for the "fast-growing city's economic activity", I'd appreciate it if he'd keep them all in McAllen.

Of course your country doesn't matter, it's all about me, me, me and making a buck. Stupid traitor.

A trio of Texas border mayors said Wednesday they fear that overzealous immigration enforcement on America's southern frontier could undermine billions of dollars in U.S.-Mexico trade critical to the nation's economy.

The only trade that will be negatively affected is illegal trade, but then maybe those mayors are making money off of illegal activities.

''This, in my opinion, revolves around the November elections and the people in the interior being sold a bill of goods," Del Rio Mayor Chad Foster said in a conference call. ''You've never seen a terrorist come out of Mexico."

Since we don't know who is among the hundreds of thousands who sneak over our border each year, we don't know how many might be terrorists, do we Mr. Mayor.

A trio of Texas border mayors said Wednesday they fear that overzealous immigration enforcement on America's southern frontier could undermine billions of dollars in U.S.-Mexico trade critical to the nation's economy.

Why should enforcing illegal immigration laws hurt trade? If a condition of trade with Mexico is non enforcement of our illegal immigration laws then all I can say to all proponents of such crap is pound sand

''You've never seen a terrorist come out of Mexico."

Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it hasn't happened. I've never personally seen a giant squid, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. I've never seen a human mauled by a bear, but that doesn't mean it has never happened. DUH!