Thread: Giffords pushes for new Nogales border fence

Giffords pushes for new Nogales border fence

Apr. 13, 2010 10:11 AM
Associated Press .

NOGALES, Ariz. - Nogales is not in the congressional district of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Nevertheless, the congresswoman is seeking $3 million in federal funds to replace a downtown Nogales border fence.

In filing her request with the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Giffords cited security risks posed by the landing-mat fence, which has stood in downtown Nogales since the early 1990s.

Giffords' wants a "more sophisticated" border structure.

Grijalva represents Nogales in Congress. He called Giffords' request a political response that sounds like overkill and wishes Giffords had consulted with him before making the request.

Grijalva told the Nogales International he wondered why Giffords hadn't made a similar request to replace existing fencing in downtown Douglas, which lies within her own congressional district.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... gales.html

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

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Grijalva represents Nogales in Congress. He called Giffords' request a political response that sounds like overkill and wishes Giffords had consulted with him before making the request.

Grijalva told the Nogales International he wondered why Giffords hadn't made a similar request to replace existing fencing in downtown Douglas, which lies within her own congressional district.l

that is because grijalva is an open borders loon who probably does not want a fence in the first place

Giffords asks for new Nogales border wall, irking Grijalva
By Jonathan Clark
Nogales International
Published Tuesday, April 13, 2010 9:46 AM MDT

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has requested $3 million in federal funds to replace the border fence in downtown Nogales with a more impenetrable barrier, rankling fellow Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva, who called the move “a political response.â€

[quote]“I'm not sure (the request) addresses the real needs of the Nogales area,â€

I think Giffords is worried about her own butt in November!

[quote="MW"][quote]“I'm not sure (the request) addresses the real needs of the Nogales area,â€

i called his office and told his staffer to tell him to NOT be irked and let that get out in the media, but meet with Giffords, check out both the douglas and nogales border fence and work together to get them built up better.

stupid staffer told me that the double layer border fence, like what they have in san diego isnt needed in nogales. and i said as long as anyone climbs over a single fence,. a double fence is needed

jamesw62 wrote:

stupid staffer told me that the double layer border fence, like what they have in san diego isnt needed in nogales. and i said as long as anyone climbs over a single fence,. a double fence is needed

If I didn't know for a fact that a double-layered fence works (San Diego is evidence of that fact), I'd say the concept alone is sound in theory. The Secure Fence Act of 2006 called for double-layered fencing with stadium lighting, sensors, and a high speed road between layers. IMO, a fence like this would act as a serious deterrent, and for those that were not deterred - they would be slowed down enough to get caught between fencing layers by the BP. Unfortunately much of the double-layered fencing that was originally called for was cancelled out for the so-called virtual fence, vehicle barriers, and single fencing.

Lots of politicians say the double-layered fence is not cost effective, however, I think the real problem is the fear that it would be considered offensive to the Mexican government, Mexican citizens, Latino special interest groups, etc. Heck, even Rep. Ron Paul said he considers a border fence offensive.

I am extremely disturbed at the lacksadasical attitude of our so-called elected leadership in securing our country's borders!

Pueblo Politics: Grijalva, Giffords at odds on border fence request
StoryCommentsRhonda Bodfield Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 4:42 pm | Comments

U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva is not pleased his Southern Arizona counterpart has requested $3 million in federal funding for a new border fence in Nogales.

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, citing security risks, is seeking an earmark for a "more sophisticated" structure near the Nogales Port of Entry to replace the corrugated metal barrier that is regularly climbed over or cut through.

She said the new structure would be virtually impenetrable and allow agents to see anyone approaching the fence. "This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will hinder illegal border crossings and provide better protection to the Border Patrol agents who are guarding the border," she wrote in her request to the Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

Grijalva, however, called it a "political response that sounds to me like overkill" and questioned why she was seeking money for a project in his district without consulting him first.

"I don't make unilateral calls in her district," Grijalva said, adding he's not a fan of the fence, or of more troops on the border - and many people in that area agree. He questioned why she wasn't focusing her efforts on the Douglas sector, which is in her district.

"I understand and I appreciate the pressure everyone is under after the tragic death of the rancher, but this is when you don't pull solutions out of the hat," he said. "That's what we've been doing for 10 years on border policy and we're still in the same mess."

Earlier this year, Grijalva was a little irked when Giffords beat him to the announcement about stimulus funding for a new Yuma courthouse, also in his district.

Grijalva predicted there would be no "permanent damage" to their relationship, but said he just wants to see a more studied approach, particularly with a larger effort at immigration reform on the horizon.

Giffords' spokesman C.J. Karamargin said the congresswoman was responding to a request from Border Patrol agents and supports bringing tax dollars back to Arizona to resolve outstanding problems. "The simple truth is that the federal government has failed to secure our border. The three miles of rusty old fence in Nogales is inadequate and Border Patrol agents are regularly being attacked with rocks and projectiles thrown from Mexico."

He declined to comment on Grijalva's complaint about the lack of consultation.
http://azstarnet.com/news/blogs/pueblo- ... 03286.html