Thread: Border cities gain congress support to halt border fence

http://www.delriolive.com/node/1637

Del Rio Mayor Efrain Valdez rejoiced during his long road home last night, gratified by the response of Sen. John Cornyn to pleas opposing a physical barrier to illegal immigration.

Valdez, Assistant City Manager Billy Guerra and about forty other mayors, city officials and county judges along the U.S.-Mexico border, all members of the Texas Border Coalition (TBC), met with Cornyn in McAllen, Texas, during a two-hour meeting, Wednesday (Oct. 1. Val Verde County Mike L. Fernandez did not attend.

The TBC representatives were hosted by McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez, and the meeting at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce was orchestrated by Mike Allen, president and CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. Allen founded the now-powerful TBC group that meets regularly on a variety of issues facing border communities.

The proposed border wall along the Rio Grande has grown in popularity among congress members in Washington, D.C., but has horrified government, business and civic leaders in communities from El Paso to Brownsville.

“But our meeting was very productive,” enthused Valdez during a LIVE! telephone interview Wednesday afternoon. “I’m very happy about the meeting; it turned out super good, because we have a promise from Senator Cornyn that, because there’s been no money appropriated for the fence, that before it is, our recommendations will be heard.”

Valdez chairs the TBC Immigration Committee, so he introduced the topic to Cornyn saying the organization recognizes the urgency of slowing illegal immigration, but prefers a “virtual” barrier, one that would rely on much-increased Border Patrol presence and electronic surveillance, rather than an imposing, physical wall.

“We said we were in favor of a virtual fence, and asked the senator to take the extra money [that would be saved] and put more manpower with the Border Patrol, the Ports of Entry, and more equipment for both,” explained Valdez.

Valdez said the question was put to Cornyn, “Why is it that here in Texas we have only 12,000 Border Patrol Agents spread out over 2,000 miles of border, but there are 40,000 police protecting New York City.”

The group also reported that funding should be available to put existing detection and deterrent equipment in working order. “We know only 86 percent of the equipment works, so the Border Patrol is telling us that they have equipment, but it’s not operational,” Valdez said.

“Senator Cornyn promised they would not put in a single inch of physical fence until they have heard all our concerns in Washington, and he said it would not be difficult to change this focus from a physical fence to a ‘virtual’ fence,” Valdez said.

Valdez admitted, “There are examples of places in Arizona where this kind of barrier may be needed, but not here in Texas,” adding, “Everybody at the meeting, from El Paso to Brownsville, said that what we need is not a physical fence.”

Valdez may be asked to travel to hearings on the subject in Washington, and Cornyn said he’d be invited if necessary as the senator takes his recommendations to the last legislative session in November following the upcoming elections. But Cornyn also reminded TBC members that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison also opposes the proposed wall barrier.

According to Valdez, Hutchison “met” with TBC during a September meeting via teleconference call, and pledged her support to halt plans for a physical wall.

Media coverage at the McAllen meeting was aggressive, said Valdez. Following the meeting, leaders adjourned to a press conference attended by the San Antonio Express-News editorial board, and Mexican broadcast media, Univision and Telemundo.

Valdez said TBC will follow the issue in the Nation’s capitol closely, and he will keep constituents here equally informed.

CONTACT SENATOR CORNYN. TELL HIM WE WANT A PHYSICAL WALL.
http://cornyn.senate.gov/index.asp?f=contact&lid=1

Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Hutchinson have already been marked as traitors, which makes this news very expected.

The thing people need to understand about physical fences and barriers is they can't be bribed by drug and illegal immigrant smugglers. As for Sen. Cornyn's comment about no money being appropriated for the fence - it was my understanding that 1.2 billion has already been approved. I'm getting sick and tired of the mixed messages and misinformation.

By the way, gaining Sen. Cornyn's support is far from gaining the support of the U.S. Congress. Cornyn is very insignificant in the whole scheme of things. His position is already well known, which hopefully means the rest of our supporters in Congress will be well prepared to fight him and Sen. Hutchinson off when they attempt to stop the physical fence and barriers.

Oh, Dixie, and other Texas citizens - I hope you blast Sen. John Cornyn for his lack of support for a physical fence on the Texas border! The pandering to local special interest groups is disgusting. Those Texas border residents and businesses need to place their country ahead of their own special interest!

I am very disappointed to hear this. Two weeks ago, I called in to the "Michael Reagan" radio show to discuss Hastert and Frist adding on the amendment to consult with people along the border before building fence. After my discussion with Michael, he informed me that Duncan Hunter would be following to discuss this very issue.

Mr. Hunter came on and said the fence "shall" be built was the same terminology that applied to the fence now in California. I believe he said it was 14 miles. Anyway, he said it cut down significantly, to almost nil the illegal crossovers. He blamed the Washington Post for this confusion about the fence not being built due to lack of funds. He said so much was appropriated now and that more will follow later. He kept reemphasing the word "SHALL." Mr. Hunter also stated that President Bush would be signing the bill within next two weeks and then the dirt would be moving.

I was doubtful then, and now just one more doubt to throw in.

I believe if the Congress does not appropriate the money to build this fence, the citizens of this nation should dig down in their own pockets and supply the money for this fence, take it out of their lying hands once for all and let'g just do it ourselves!

All of us that are from other States, need to write Tx. newspapers and tell them they cannot have it both ways....that their illegals always travel to other States and we demand them to wall up the border....or find a way to keep all illegals in Texas!

What happened to the 1.2 billion that they appropriated a couple months ago for the 350 mile fence? The American people are not being told the truth about anything. LIED TO AGAIN!

What happened to the 1.2 billion that they appropriated a couple months ago for the 350 mile fence?

The 1.2 billion does exist:

"HIGHLIGHTS: FY07 HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS BILL

September 25th, 2006 - -
The conference agreement provides $34.8 billion for operations and activities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in fiscal year 2007, an increase of $2.3 billion above fiscal year 2006 and $2.7 billion above the President’s request (includes $1.8 in emergency spending). The agreement aggressively addresses our most critical homeland security needs, including: border and immigration security; nuclear detection; port, cargo and container security; transportation security; natural disaster preparedness and response; and support to state and local first responders.

Securing our Nation’s Borders and Revitalizing Immigration Enforcement
The agreement provides $21.3 billion for border protection, immigration enforcement, and related activities, +$2.1 billion over FY 2006. This includes $5.2 billion for the Secure Border Initiative, providing DHS with the appropriate mix of technology, personnel, and infrastructure to prevent terrorists and other criminals from exploiting our borders and immigration system. Highlights include:

- $2.27 billion for border patrol, adding 1,500 new Border Patrol agents, for a total of 14,800;
- $1.2 billion for border fencing, vehicle barriers, technology and infrastructure;
- $4.2 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE);
- $3.1 billion for the Coast Guard’s homeland security missions;
- $1.38 billion for ICE custody operations, adding 6,700 detention beds, for a total of 27,500;
- $28.2 million to assist state and local efforts to enforce immigration law;
- $238 million for transportation and removal of undocumented aliens;
- $600 million for Air and Marine Operations for border and airspace security;
- $183 million for a total of 75 fugitive operations teams nation-wide, an increase of 23;
- $137 million for the Criminal Alien Program;
- $44 million for Alternatives to Detention;
- $362 million for the US-VISIT program; and
- $135 million to support immigration verification systems.
Includes Senate provision criminalizing the creation of tunnels to illegally cross U.S. borders. Provision is identical to legislation which passed the House unanimously last week.

Enhancing Port, Container and Cargo Security
The agreement provides $4.34 billion, +$600 million over FY 2006, to secure our ports and inbound cargo in order to prevent terrorists and criminals from exploiting the international commerce system. Stringent performance requirements mandate a strategy to double the amount of cargo currently inspected, screen 100% of cargo through the Automated Targeting System, and establish minimum security standards for cargo containers. The agreement further requires DHS to maintain a 100% manifest review rate at all CSI ports; a 100% validation rate of all C-TPAT participants; and doubling the amount of cargo entering the U.S. screened for radiation. Highlights include:

- $2.05 billion for Coast Guard port and waterway security operations;
- $1.435 billion for CBP cargo inspection and trade operations, including 450 new CBP officers;
- $139 million for Container Security Initiative, expanding the program to 58 foreign seaports;
- $241 million for non-intrusive inspection equipment;
- $55 million for C-TPAT, supporting 100% validation of over 6,070 certified partners;
- $178 million for radiation portal monitors;
- $15 million to increase port facility and vessel inspections domestically and overseas;
- $210 million for port security grants;
- $23 million for Science & Technology’s Cargo Security Program.

Supporting State and Local First Responders
The agreement provides $3.4 billion for first responders, including grants to high threat areas, firefighters, and emergency management. Since September 11th, 2001, and including funds in this agreement, $37.6 billion has been provided to first responders – including terrorism prevention and preparedness, general law enforcement, firefighter assistance, airport security, seaport security, and public health preparedness. The agreement maintains current law for all formula grants. Highlights include:

- $1.229 billion for high risk area grants, including $770 million for urban area grants, $175 million for rail security, $210 million for port security, and $74 million for other infrastructure protection;
- $525 million for basic formula grants;
- $547 million for firefighter grants and $115 million for the SAFER program;
- $375 million for state and local law enforcement terrorism prevention grants;
- $200 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants; and
- $352 million for First Responder training, exercise, and assistance programs.

Strengthening Federal Disaster Response and Implementing Katrina Lessons Learned
The agreement provides a total of $6.5 billion for the Preparedness Directorate and FEMA to prepare for and respond to any form of disaster or terrorist attack and includes funds and direction to address lessons learned from the 2005 hurricane season. Highlights include:
- $1.5 billion for Disaster Relief;
- $526 million for FEMA’s operational capability;
- $196 million for flood map modernization; and
Creates a new, independent appropriation for the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding to ensure accountability for federal rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast.
Includes comprehensive structural overhaul of FEMA which would elevate the status of the Director and require that the Director have extensive emergency response and crisis management experience, prevent the diversion of FEMA funds to other agencies, require better and clearer coordination between federal, state and local emergency preparedness entities.

Protecting the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure
The agreement supports ongoing efforts to enhance the current inventory of our nation’s critical infrastructures; develop secure communications systems with federal, state and local entities; and continue work with the private sector to implement protective measures around the nation’s infrastructure. Highlights include:

- $69 million for critical infrastructure identification and evaluation;
- $101 million for critical infrastructure outreach and partnerships with industry;
- $481 million for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to coordinate global nuclear detection and tracking;
- $32 million for protective actions; and
- $496 million for biological, chemical and explosives countermeasures.
Includes a provision authorizing the Secretary of Homeland Security to regulate high-risk chemical facilities.

Transportation Security
The agreement continues efforts to enhance security for all modes of transportation, including ports, rails, and aviation, with a focus on developing and installing next generation technologies to inspect cargo, baggage and passengers. In total, the agreement provides $6.3 billion – partially offset by fees – for TSA and Federal Air Marshals (FAMs). The agreement rejects the President’s proposed passenger fee increase. Highlights include:

- $2.6 billion for passenger and baggage screeners;
- $244 million for the training of airport screeners;
- $524 million to procure, install, maintain and refurbish explosive detection systems;
- $173 million to procure, install, and maintain technologies at passenger screening checkpoints;
- $55 million for air cargo;
- $13.2 million for rail security inspectors and explosive detection canines; and
- $714 million for FAMs, ensuring mission coverage on both domestic and international flights.

Supporting Traditional Missions such as Drug Interdiction, Law Enforcement, Maritime Safety, and Presidential Protection
- $2.4 billion for traditional Coast Guard operating activities, including maritime safety, drug interdiction, and fisheries, environmental, and humanitarian missions;
- $1.065 billion for the Coast Guard’s Deepwater program;
- $1.27 billion for the U.S. Secret Service including enhancement of the agency’s protective and investigative capabilities;
- $46 million for the U.S. Fire Administration; and
- $274 million for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

Key Oversight Provisions and Other Items
The conferees fence $1.6 billion from spending until DHS meets certain planning and management requirements. This continues Congress’ strong oversight of the still maturing Department of Homeland Security.
Includes compromise language that would allow an individual to physically transport non-narcotic prescription drugs from Canada for their personal use.
Modifies Senate provision delaying Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative until certain conditions are met.
Requires DHS to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for port, cargo and container security and the Secure Border Initiative.
Requires expenditure plans for the SBInet border security system, US-VISIT, Federal Protective Service, business transformation for CIS, explosive detection systems in airports, Customs IT systems, and overall better financial data throughout the Department - in particular Science and Technology.
The Committee directs the Preparedness Directorate and FEMA to improve its capabilities in communications, training, capabilities assessments, incident management, logistics, emergency housing, debris removal, and victim registration."

http://appropriations.house.gov/index.c ... &Year=2006

Do you know why they want a virtual fence. Because it is something that you can ignore if you want to. It is a waste of money, put the camera's out there and then look the other way while the illegals and drug smugglers cross. Did the American people ask for a virtual fence, no.

sawdust wrote:

It is a waste of money, put the camera's out there and then look the other way while the illegals and drug smugglers cross. Did the American people ask for a virtual fence, no.

Our current government can't be trusted to do anything. I cannot think for the life of me what would cause such great treason among our leaders. Are they being threatened, have they been paid to think ony in one direction, are they part of some grand ellusion to distract Americans from what is to be? What ever it is, it's unAmerican and every one of the traitors need to be voted out.

Unless they've already rigged our voting machines.