Thread: Troops remove razor wire from the Texas border and head home

As Trump argues for a wall, a border security measure gets pulled back

• By QUINN OWEN

Dec 15, 2018, 1:29 PM ET

Delcia Lopez/Reuters

WATCH Trump wants US military to protect Mexico border

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U.S. Army soldiers have removed barbed wire along the US-Mexico border in areas where the Trump administration has said more border security measures are needed after local community leaders raised concerns.

About 2 miles of military-grade wire was removed from city land in Laredo, Texas, according to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officials.

The agency ordered the removals after hearing from local elected officials who raised environmental and public safety concerns with the wire running near community parks.

Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz, who leads the Texas Border Commission, said the Trump administration has, in part, used his community to fabricate the threat of migrants traveling north.

“They want to be overly protective,” Saenz told ABC News.

“But at what cost? The cost to the local economy. The cost to our livelihoods here at the border area.”

Citing the “very real threat we face at the border,” the Trump administration recently extended the deployment of U.S. troops along the border through January.

By all means we want security, but it’s got to be done properly and weighed carefully.

(MORE: Fact Check: Trump claims credit for decades-old border structures)

“As the situation along the border continues to evolve, we will continue to assess our operational needs, including removal of the c-wire,” a CBP official said in a statement to ABC News.

(MORE: At Base Camp Donna, US Army troops spend Veterans Day preparing for migrants)

Laredo routinely handles the bulk of trade across the US-Mexico border, which amounts to more than $200 billion each year.

Saenz emphasized the historic, cultural connection between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, the Mexican town directly across the border line. He said the politicized decision-making has strained this relationship and threatens the local economy.

“By all means we want security, but it’s got to be done properly and weighed carefully,” the mayor said.

Razor wire has also been removed in Hidalgo, Texas, where the Rio Grande River valley acts as a natural impediment to crossing as it does throughout much of south Texas.

Even though some border communities like Hidalgo haven’t seen the direct impact from the military fortifications, City Councilman Rudy Franz says the extra measures are excessive.

“This is blown out of proportion,” Franz told ABC News. “I don’t think it’s necessary. I think it puts fear in people.”

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trum...ry?id=59830679

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

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U.S. Army soldiers have removed barbed wire along the US-Mexico border in areas where the Trump administration has said more border security measures are needed after local community leaders raised concerns.

Local officials do not have the authority to order this removal by the military. Mattis can answer for this and on to Trump.

Give that soldier that bet $5.00 they would be taking it down in a month his money.

Disguising, simply disgusting---shame on Trump for using the military to simply try and win an election.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz, who leads the Texas Border Commission, said the Trump administration has, in part, used his community to fabricate the threat of migrants traveling north.

This is the one who flies the Mexican flag at his office...

Busy US border town worries about impact of Trump's military fence

In an interview at his City Hall office this week, where the Mexican tricolor stands alongside the Texas flag, the black-mustached Saenz says he understands the federal government's desire to protect the border.


https://www.yahoo.com/news/busy-us-b...182543502.html

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It is way past time for Trump to stand up to these town officials. Greg Abbott where are you? Can you locate a microphone anywhere and say something.

Actually cities have total control over their city owned property and have all types of zoning laws that apply to other properties throughout their territory. Unless the federal government has an easement for that section of the fence area with the rights to install the razor wire or other protective defensive covers, the city probably does have the authority to ask them to remove it. The federal government would need to do an eminent domain action to secure an easement that allows the installation of the wire and they should do that if this area is a vital part of our border security. There's a lot more that would need to be known to know whether the military had the authority to install the wire. My guess is no, otherwise, they wouldn't have removed it.

At the border, some want to know when the military will retrieve its barbed wire

By Dan Lamothe
November 28


Soldiers carry concertina wire to put up a border fence near the Brownsville and Matamoros Express International Bridge in Brownsville, Tex., on Nov. 11. (Calla Kessler/The Washington Post)


https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...=.a0eaadbd8d49

Originally Posted by Judy

Actually cities have total control over their city owned property and have all types of zoning laws that apply to other properties throughout their territory. Unless the federal government has an easement for that section of the fence area with the rights to install the razor wire or other protective defensive covers, the city probably does have the authority to ask them to remove it. The federal government would need to do an eminent domain action to secure an easement that allows the installation of the wire and they should do that if this area is a vital part of our border security. There's a lot more that would need to be known to know whether the military had the authority to install the wire. My guess is no, otherwise, they wouldn't have removed it.

Proclamation 758

Jump to navigationJump to search←Theodore Roosevelt's Presidential Proclamations

Proclamation 758 (1907)

Setting Apart As Public Lands A Strip Of Land On The Mexican Frontier

• sister projects: Wikidata item.

Signed on 27 May 1907. See (35 Stat. 2136)

By the President of the United States of America.A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, it is necessary for the public welfare that a strip of land lying along the boundary line between the United States and the Republic of Mexico be reserved from the operation of the public land laws and kept free from obstruction as a protection against the smuggling of goods between the United States and said Republic;

Now, therefore, I, Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, do hereby declare, proclaim and make known that there are hereby reserved from entry, settlement or other form of appropriation under the public land laws and set apart as a public reservation, all public lands within sixty feet of the international boundary between the United States and the Republic of Mexico, within the State of California and the Territories of Arizona and New Mexico; and where any river or stream forms any part of said international boundary line, this reservation shall be construed and taken as extending to and including all public lands belonging to the United States which lie within sixty feet of the margin of such river or stream.
Excepting from the force and effect of this proclamation all lands which are at this date embraced in any level entry or covered by any lawful filing, selection or rights of way duly of record in the proper United States Land Office, or upon which any valid settlement has been made pursuant to law, an the statutory period within which to make entry or filing of record has not expired; and also excepting all lands which at this date are embraced within any withdrawal or reservation for any use or purpose to which this reservation for customs purposes is repugnant; Provided, that these exceptions shall not continue to apply to any particular tract of land unless the entryman, settler or claimant continues to comply with the law under which the entry, filing or settlement was made, or unless the reservation or withdrawal to which this reservation is inconsistent continues in force; Provided Further, that the said strips, tracts, or parcels of land, reserved as aforesaid, may be used for public highways but for no other purpose whatever, so long as the reservation of same under this proclamation shall continue in force.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my band and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this 27th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seven, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and thirty-first.

Theodore Roosevelt

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Proclamation_758

This proclamation doesn't address the issue. This proclamation simply says that no one can build or create an obstruction on these strips if this area in Laredo is in fact part of the "strips" or parcels covered by the proclamation.

The issue is does the military have the right to erect the razor wire fence on that particular land for the reason it was installed. The proclamation doesn't address that one way or the other. There doesn't appear to be an existing fence or wall there, so perhaps not. They may need to secure an easement or temporary work permit with the right to construct a fence there, a right the feds and military are entitled to under eminent domain but requires paperwork and filings.

I don't believe DHS would have retreated on this unless they felt or thought they needed to. It's a shame, but they need to look into the paperwork that's required and get this in place in all the towns where the border fence or border strip areas cross city-owned public property.

Also that 1907 Proclamation just applies to customs and goods issues, not people and illegal aliens.

Originally Posted by Judy

This proclamation doesn't address the issue. This proclamation simply says that no one can build or create an obstruction on these strips if this area in Laredo is in fact part of the "strips" or parcels covered by the proclamation.

The issue is does the military have the right to erect the razor wire fence on that particular land for the reason it was installed. The proclamation doesn't address that one way or the other. There doesn't appear to be an existing fence or wall there, so perhaps not. They may need to secure an easement or temporary work permit with the right to construct a fence there, a right the feds and military are entitled to under eminent domain but requires paperwork and filings.

I don't believe DHS would have retreated on this unless they felt or thought they needed to. It's a shame, but they need to look into the paperwork that's required and get this in place in all the towns where the border fence or border strip areas cross city-owned public property.

Also that 1907 Proclamation just applies to customs and goods issues, not people and illegal aliens.

You seem to be full of speculation but no actual facts. The President of the United States has the authority to secure the border! If he want's to place razor wire at the border, assuming the funding is there, he can justifiably do so regardless of what the local residents or a mayor thinks. 60 feet is available!

As for DHS backing down. Nothing new here, the Trump administration has a history of backing down under a little pressure. DACA and his ending the separation of kids from their parents proves that. By the way, where's the executive order he promised to end birthright citizenship?

Yes, the President has the "authority" to secure the border, but he does not have authority to spend money to do it that hasn't been authorized and funded. He can secure the border with authorized funds, including military funds, if to cure or deal with a national emergency or counter illegal drugs.

The "Proclamation" is not an easement. It's an instruction to the locals that they can't obstruct the 60 feet. There's nothing in the "Proclamation" that authorizes securing the border, building fences, building walls or installing razor wire. The "Proclamation" is to prevent construction or impediments in this area by the local community that would interfere with customs activities on goods coming in or out through the border. This Proclamation has nothing to do with securing the border against illegal aliens. It's actually the opposite of what you think it is, the whole purpose of it is to keep it open for unobstructed free-flow of goods passage and avoid anyone besides the federal government collecting tariffs, imposts and so forth on such goods for entry purposes.

You should keep looking for another different document if you think there is one, the one you posted doesn't do or accomplish what you're claiming.

Originally Posted by Judy

Yes, the President has the "authority" to secure the border, but he does not have authority to spend money to do it that hasn't been authorized and funded. He can secure the border with authorized funds, including military funds, if to cure or deal with a national emergency or counter illegal drugs.

The "Proclamation" is not an easement. It's an instruction to the locals that they can't obstruct the 60 feet. There's nothing in the "Proclamation" that authorizes securing the border, building fences, building walls or installing razor wire. The "Proclamation" is to prevent construction or impediments in this area by the local community that would interfere with customs activities on goods coming in or out through the border. This Proclamation has nothing to do with securing the border against illegal aliens. It's actually the opposite of what you think it is, the whole purpose of it is to keep it open for unobstructed free-flow of goods passage and avoid anyone besides the federal government collecting tariffs, imposts and so forth on such goods for entry purposes.

You should keep looking for another different document if you think there is one, the one you posted doesn't do or accomplish what you're claiming.

No idea why you think it has nothing to do with illegals, drugs being smuggled across the border.


Whereas, it is necessary for the public welfare that a strip of land lying along the boundary line between the United States and the Republic of Mexico be reserved from the operation of the public land laws and kept free from obstruction as a protection against the smuggling of goods between the United States and said Republic;