Thread: Chertoff might waive laws to get Texas border fence built

Nov. 7, 2007, 1:35AM
Chertoff might waive laws to get Texas border fence built
By MICHELLE MITTELSTADT
Comments (23) Recommend (1)

WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who has invoked his power to waive federal laws to build border fencing in Arizona and California, said Tuesday that he hasn't ruled out doing the same in Texas, where opposition to the fence has been running high.

While Chertoff said at a Washington news conference that he will take community concerns into consideration, he added: "I'm not laying down any of the authorities I've been given to get the job done."

Congress in 2005 gave Chertoff the power to bypass environmental, historic preservation and other federal laws to build border fences. That authority, which Chertoff has used three times, is now under legal challenge by the Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife, which oppose the fences.

With more than 160 miles of steel fences already built along the U.S.-Mexico border, Chertoff renewed his commitment to building 225 more miles — including 70 miles in Texas.

Fencing "is not a magic bullet to deal with every issue at the border," Chertoff said. "But it is one of a number of important tools that we can use to make the job of the Border Patrol easier and more efficient."

Ken Kramer, state director for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, expressed concern that Chertoff will waive environmental laws in a rush to complete the Texas fencing.

"We're definitely very concerned about that," Kramer said. "It appears that when the pressure is on the secretary to try to address environmental concerns, the response thus far has been to waive environmental laws. That doesn't give us a great deal of comfort."

National security trumps individual Texans' concerns about the fence, Chertoff said, noting that the impact of illegal drugs and criminals entering the U.S. is felt far from the border.

michelle.mittelstadt@chron.com
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hea ... 79671.html

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who has invoked his power to waive federal laws to build border fencing in Arizona and California, said Tuesday that he hasn't ruled out doing the same in Texas, where opposition to the fence has been running high.

I'm sure you have the support of over 70% of the "legal" American population! Get 'er done, Chertoff!

I still think the fence issue is a smokescreen. It is meant to molify and hold our attention on the possible fence.

Think about it - 70 miles - 70 whole miles of fence for the entire border of Texas. That's like putting 1" of fence on your back yard and expecting it to keep anyone or anything out.

A fence might keep some from coming - even that is doubtful. It is going to take people down there to do that. It is going to take enforcement in the US to do that.

Just wonder where that 70 miles is going to be? It's a joke, folks. It really is.

When they first began discussing the fence, if they had cut off the freebies - made employers verify their employees (and really do it), we would be 75% ahead in our problem - with no fence needed.

Then if the cities, counties and states would enforce their traffice laws regarding insurance, DL, DUI, etc. - impounding vehicles, that would take care of another large part.

As long as they know jobs are here, they won't be caught, they don't have to obey laws and there are freebies - they will come -

Think how many illegals our federal government can make legal, either through citizenship or visas while we are discussing a fence.

Think of the states that are working to give them DL while we are discussing a fence.

It would be naive to think a border fence would solve all the problems associated with illegal immigration, and I don't think anyone has suggested it is a sliver bullet. However, A border fence, if constructed as directed by law, can and will help our border guards along the border. The Secure Fence Act replicates the successful design of the San Diego Border Fence – two layers of fencing separated by a high-speed border patrol road and monitored by accompanying infrastructure (cameras and sensors) and personnel.

A fence acts as a force multiplier and will free up more guards to patrol unfenced sectors of the border. Furthermore, it will also act as a funnel and direct potential illegals to unfenced areas, which can be more heavily patroled by the guards the fence freed up. Just like enforcement, employer sanctions, cutting of benefits, etc., the border fence is only a piece of the puzzle.

What's irritating to me in regards to the fence is Chertoff's resistance to build the fence as it was designed. Personally, I hope we eventually end up fencing the whole darn border! Interestingly, Hunter had introduced, in the past, legislation calling for the construction of a reinforced fence along the entire U.S.-Mexico border. Unfortunately the legislation was never considered seriously in the Congress.

This won't work:



But Duncan Hunter's double-layered fence (fence written into law) will help gain control of the border. Listen to Hunter speak about his fence (an photo image also provided):

http://www.gohunter08.com/inner.asp?z=19

Here's another interesting video concerning the issue as reported on the Lou Dobbs Show (video provided to Youtube by oldvet.com):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2lC2sTJLPoo

As you can see, after watching the video, the fence isn't getting built according to specifications. I contend that if built as intended, the fence will help gain operational control over our border.

Ken Kramer, state director for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, expressed concern that Chertoff will waive environmental laws in a rush to complete the Texas fencing.

Hey, the Sierra Club should be on our side!