Guardsmen Clearing Way for Border Fence?
Thursday , May 10, 2007 Posted: 07:16 PM

Video at the link too.

Town meeting planned Saturday

ROMA - Some Starr County residents suspect a border fence is going up in their town.

Mike Mascorro tells us National Guardsmen have been worked on clearing the riverbanks for three weeks. They were working near the international bridge in Roma.

"They did some cutting down in the brush and some by our pump. They said they were going to work all the way to Fronton, which is a big stretch of river, eight to ten miles," he says.

Mascorro tells us he asked the troops why they were cutting.

"Some said, 'Yeah, we're here cleaning out the way for the fence,'" he recalls.

Federal officials have been assuring local communities they'll get a say in construction of any barrier between Texas and Mexico.

NEWSCHANNEL 5 called Congressman Henry Cuellar in Washington to find out what's going on.

He says, "I don't know what the Guard is doing there, but I know we requested that the areas be cleaned so we can see what's happening there."

US Border Patrol spokesperson Oscar Saldana tells us the clearing isn't about the planned border fence.

He says it's about making the area safer for agents on patrol.

NEWSCHANNEL 5 learned there will be a town meeting in Brownsville, primarily with ranchers about the border fence. The meeting is set for Saturday.

Senator Cornyn's office is holding the meeting with the US Border Patrol. Local leaders will be there to answer questions.

http://www.newschannel5.tv/2007/5/10/96 ... der-Fence-