South Dakota man wants to crowdsource U.S.-Mexico border wall

Dana Ferguson , Published 3:09 p.m. CT May 15, 2017 | Updated 4 hours ago

More than 1,500 miles from Mexico, a South Dakota man has launched an effort to crowdsource funding to build President Donald Trump's border wall.

Terry LaFleur, of Sioux Falls, said he's frustrated by gridlock in Congress and the lack of action among Republicans in passing a tax to pay for the wall.

So he's taking the issue to the people.

"It's every American's responsibility to make sure our sovereignty is unviolated," LaFleur said. "He needs our help. He absolutely has to have our help to get it done."

LaFleur, who is running as a non-establishment Republican for South Dakota governor, said Monday that it is imperative that U.S. citizens raise money to help construct the wall in order to prevent illegal immigration.

He filed paperwork with the secretary of state's office earlier this month to incorporate a nonprofit charity and said he is prepared to accept donations.

None had been received through the first week of publicizing the campaign.

Five members on the group's board of trustees will oversee the fundraising efforts and ensure that funds sent to the group only benefit the wall's construction.

LaFleur said Trump's early efforts to boost security at the border and make clear his position on the need for a stronger physical boundary between the two countries have been successful in deterring undocumented immigration. He said building a physical barrier can only increase that.

"A wall would make it harder. It's not going to stop them all, but it's going to be a lot harder for them to get in," he said.

Libby Skarin, policy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota, condemned Trump's proposal to build a wall and said local officials would be better off focusing on South Dakota priorities.

"Rather than focusing on policies that undermine civil liberties and fracture border communities hundreds of miles away," Skarin said, "we would encourage all South Dakota politicians to craft policies that strengthen civil rights and civil liberties for all who call this state home."

http://www.argusleader.com/story/new...all/322530001/

It's time for Americans to support the wall, raise money, support this President, support his team and other supporters and take charge of our borders and by doing so our nation. Great idea!