Thread: El Paso County approves measure that opposes border wall

El Paso County approves measure that opposes border wall (6:13 a.m.)
By Erica Molina Johnson / For the Sun-News
Article Launched: 05/06/2008 06:16:50 AM MDT



EL PASO —The county formally opposed the construction of a border wall in a resolution approved by Commissioners Court on Monday.

In a 3-1 vote, the court approved the resolution that calls for solutions to the illegal immigration problem including stopping the construction of the wall and recognizing that local law enforcement officials should not enforce federal immigration law.

"It's very important we tell the federal government we want a voice in policies that impact our daily lives," Commissioner Veronica Escobar said after the meeting. "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."

She said no one is advocating open borders or no enforcement of immigration laws. She said they support enforcement of immigration laws by the designated authorities.

Commissioner Dan Haggerty voted against the resolution and County Judge Anthony Cobos was not present.

"I'm opposed to a border wall, but I believe we need to support the laws of this country," Haggerty said before the vote.

The vote came after a heated debate over the resolution, which was first presented in another form last week by advocates


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of immigrant rights.
Commissioner Miguel Terán placed the item on the agenda and said Monday that the immigration problem is due in large part to racism against Mexicans on a national level.

"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.

Eighteen people addressed the court in support of the resolution, including County Attorney José Rodr guez.

Rodr guez encouraged the court to be specific in its wishes, including directing the official opposition of legislation that harms immigrants, directing his office to review options available to the court, and investigating the ramifications of the construction of a border fence in this area.

"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," he said.

Two people spoke against the resolution.

"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.

Erica Molina Johnson reports for the El Paso Times, a member of the Texas-New Mexico Newspapers Partnership, and may be reached at emolina@elpasotimes.com; 546-6132.

http://www.lcsun-news.com/news/ci_9168527

She said no one is advocating open borders or no enforcement of immigration laws. She said they support enforcement of immigration laws by the designated authorities.

Thats exactly what you are doing stupid....how do these people get elected or appointed?

Its simple, just follow the money "MY FRIENDS". The "elitist political contributors" will get their "cheap labor" and not have to furnish any "benefits" because all the "benefits" for the ILLEGALS will be furnished by the taxpayers enforced and implemented by "our elitist politicians" and their "men"(see Johnny Satan)!!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hea ... 56969.html

May 6, 2008, 7:01AM
El Paso commissioners pass anti-border wall resolution


Associated Press

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Comments (8 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.

Oklahoma and Arizona first, and now several other states have implemented bills that enforce immigration laws resulting in ILLEGALS leaving their states and returning to their home country or moving to another state to drain their resources. Oklahoma and Arizona Citizens Should Be PROUD!!! The Chamber of Commerce, other Elitist Special Interest Groups, and Elitist Politicians always claim to follow Immigration Laws but continuously become confused about the interpretation of the law.

Now, here is a guy with some cahones to say it like it is!

"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.