Thread: U.S.-Mexico Border Fence Plan Nixed

U.S.-Mexico Border Fence Plan Nixed
Texas Landowners Have Refused To Allow Federal Government To Build 370 Mile Steel Fence
Comments 148
EL PASO, Texas, Oct. 25, 2007

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A glove abandoned by its owner hangs caught on a barbed wire fence along the US-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)



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(AP) Cold, hard cash is apparently not enough to quell the anger among landowners over a planned fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Opponents of the fence refused federal workers access to their land last month in South Texas. About the same time, the government offered to pay some property owners $3,000 in exchange for permission to conduct surveys for the project.

After many of them balked at the money on principle, the government abandoned the plan.

"I think it's blood money, bribery," said Brownsville Mayor Patricio M. Ahumada Jr.

The proposal to build 370 miles of steel fence is widely opposed in the Rio Grande Valley, the most heavily populated part of the Texas-Mexico border and a region with an economy and culture dependent on cross-border traffic.

The payments were being offered in a region where the median family income is about $30,000. But instead of welcoming the windfall, many residents were outraged when federal officials described the payment plan.

Ahumada, whose border city has already denied fence-planners access to city property, said the payments were insulting and disingenuous.

"The federal government is doing all it can to get access," Ahumada said. "They are thinning the herd (of opposition), so to speak, one by one. These tactics are not unusual when they want to get something done like this."

Johnny Hart, owner of the Riverside Club in Mission, said he sees the money as "nothing more than a bribe." But he wouldn't turn it down.

"Give me $3,000 and you can survey all you want, but it doesn't mean I am not going to fight you" on building the fence, Hart said.

Congress has authorized $1.2 billion to build 700 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. The project includes about 330 miles of so-called virtual fence - a network of cameras, high-tech sensors, radar and other technology. The remaining sections, primarily in urban areas are expected to have an actual fence. About 70 miles of actual fence is planned in South Texas.

Noel Benavides, a city councilman and business owner in Roma, said the payments would cloud the issue.

"If this was really something that was going to be beneficial to the whole community and the whole nation, I would be the first person to say, 'My friend, you can go in there and do what you need to do,"' Benavides said. "It's going to be a waste of time. It's not going to stop illegal immigrants."

Benavides, a lifelong resident of Roma, said residents and local governments may eventually lose their battle against the fence, but they plan to keep fighting. State officials, including Republican Gov. Rick Perry, also oppose plans to build the fence.

On Tuesday, Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo who is opposed to the fence, said Homeland Security authorities told him the payment plan was off. He did not elaborate.

It was not clear what prompted the change of heart. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Brad Benson did not return several phone calls from The Associated Press.

Ahumada said the issue was also a matter of historical and patriotic pride.

"You are talking about land that Texans and Americans shed blood for to keep," he said. "And now they are trying to move the border further north than established by treaty."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/ ... 7305.shtml

once again... put the farm land south of the fence on the Mexican side or confiscate the land in the name of national security

I could be wrong but those land owners dont have a choice...

If these idiots don't want the fence, then build the fence around their property lines and make them a part of mexico. If they are so against the fence idea, then we'll build it around them, revoke their citizenship and not allow them back into the country w/o proper immigration papers.
Then we'll see how effective the fence is.

The border patrol must already have a right of way to access these properties for patrolling. Don't pay anything to the owners. Just build the fence and stop the b.s.

Isn't this the type of thing eminent domain was made for? Not to lace pockets of developers, but for the good of all.

Originally Posted by GREGAGREATAMERICAN

I could be wrong but those land owners dont have a choice...

You're right GREG: as I recall the respective governments have a 10 foot easement along the border on their respective side.

They should have taken the $3,000 when it was offered. That would have been bonus money on top of the amount the landowners will be payed for property easement rights. In the name of national security, Chertoff can build the fence regardless of the landowners objections.

Excerpt:

Easments and Rights of Way - It is also possible to bring an eminent domain action to obtain an easement or right of way. For example, a utility company may obtain an easement over private land install and maintain power lines. The property owner remains free to use the property for any purpose which does interfere with the right of way or easement.

http://www.expertlaw.com/library/real_e ... ain.html#1