LatinaLista — On this day, when so many dignitaries assemble in Germany toasting the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall, it seems hypocritical that our country’s leaders can’t see that we are repeating what was considered the disgrace of Germany along our U.S.-Mexico border.
Supporters of the U.S. wall say that our wall is not the same thing as the Berlin Wall. It’s supposed to keep us safe from terrorists and violent drug cartels.
Yet, we’ve already seen proof that is not the case. Last month, more than 300 people were arrested in a series of drug raids targeting a Mexican drug cartel operating in the US.
Twenty years ago, the German people celebrated tearing down the Berlin Wall.
And in two separate domestic terrorist apprehensions — Najibullah Zazi and Hosam Maher Husein Smadi — neither one entered the country via our southern border.
No, it’s clear that the wall has not achieved the purpose told to the American public. Instead, the wall has accomplished separating families on either side of the border, forced immigrants, who want to enter the country illegally to find work, to take the most dangerous routes into the country and disappear among the mountains and deserts never to be heard or seen again and wreaked havoc on a fragile environmental system.
The wall has not made this country safer but rather is the victorious symbol for a group of elected officials who let hysteria and influential immigration extremists control the immigration debate.
Even when a legislator from the impacted border area speaks out against the wall, those in Washington, who think they know better, dismiss his voice.
Texas state representative for District 40, Aaron Peña, resides in Edinburg, Texas. He writes in today’s Rio Grande Guardian:
Interestingly enough and rightfully so, most Americans see it (the fall of the Berlin Wall) as a symbolic end of tyranny. Here in the borderlands of this country, on the edges of my legislative district, Americans forget that a similar wall was constructed (sadly with the help of misguided elected officials) separating family members and a singular community.
How long will it take the people of this country to see the contradictions in today’s celebrations while we continue to construct our own wall in my community’s backyard. I hope to live to see the day. In the meantime, I join in the celebrations ending this symbol of tyranny.
Here in South Texas we ask that our nation continue to remember this day, as we undoubtedly will, with the vivid and wasteful reminder that we live with here along the border. After the fear diminishes and the recognition of the enormous cost to our country is realized maybe we here on the border can find an additional reason to celebrate. Until then this day shall remain bitter-sweet.
Today is a day when all lovers of freedom can happily proclaim their rejection on any attempt to divide a people. In the words of a wise president, “Tear Down this Wall!”
Comment(7)
cookie
How is the wall separating families? There are still legal points of entry.
It is a deterrent to illegal entry by drug cartels, terrorists and other illegal border jumpers. Of course it doesn’t stop these people completely but it stops many of them and makes them think about not crossing through harsh environments and risking their lives. The ones who do are responsible for their own actions.
Another reason for the wall is to help the Border Patrol do its job more effectively. A physical barrier does just that.
So it has “forced” so-called “immigrants to risk their lives trying to enter our country illegally? Oh, that’s just awful!! That is their choice to make and they know the dangers beforehand. That’s like saying we should remove the guards from our banks because the poor banker robber might get shot while doing something illegally.
I swear sometimes when I read the excuses from pro-illegals to not secure our borders my head does a complete rotation around my neck. It just baffles me that any loyal American citizen could think this way.
Let me ask the pro-illegals in here a question? If fences/walls are such a terrible thing to erect between you and your neighbors then why do you have one around your property? Why do we have a fence around the White House?
Marci
“Instead, the wall has accomplished separating families on either side of the border, forced immigrants, who want to enter the country illegally to find work, to take the most dangerous routes into the country and disappear among the mountains and deserts never to be heard or seen again and wreaked havoc on a fragile environmental system.”
It would seem that our border wall inconvenieces Mexicans and their supporters in this country than it does the majority of Americans who believe that we are a nation separate from Mexico. Most Americans apparently suppor the construction of the wall or the Democrats would have torn it down by now. And I don’t understand how the wall causes people to litter or destroy the environment.
Erik Kengaard
Cookie makes a good point. The Berlin Wall was intended to keep citizens of the East prisoner. That is a far different purpose than keeping out invaders. A nation that does not defend its borders will cease to be.
MP
you cannot be serious. The Berlin wall was erected by the communists to keep East Berliners IN East Berlin, not to keep West Berliners out. (West Berliners were allowed to travel freely through the checkpoints).
The border wall, which by the way, is nowhere near completion (sadly) is designed to keep people from entering the U.S. illegally. But obviously you approve of illegal immigration.
Jose
This is a stretch, comparing the Berlin Wall, a barrier established by a tyrannical government, designed to separate two peoples of the same ethnic group and nationality. The Berlin Wall is a political symbol, one of oppression and hostility. The wall on our southern border separates two distinct sovereign countries and is being constructed according to the will of the people of the U.S. to give the message to the people of Mexico and others that they will enter this country on the terms set forth by the American people and no other. The only real plaintiffs in this situation, and not with standing, I might add, are the Mexican government, its citizens and those who would deny our right to control of borders in favor of their illegal alien friends. You trivialize the Berlin Wall, the suffering of the German people and the democratic right of the people of the U.S. in your denial of our rights to control our border.
jose and joyce valdez
Phoenix, Arizona
Marisa Treviño
Jose, This wall is also a political symbol and has always been. If you are in Phoenix, I’m surprised you don’t know this already. In countless interviews with people who live along the US-Mexico border, the wall serves no purpose to them but to placate those in Washington and hysterical critics of illegal immigration.
cookie
No the wall isn’t a political symbol. It is there to help deter illegal entry and to help the Border Patrol.
Why would it be “hysterical” to criticize illegal immigration? Millions have entered our country without papers including terrorists, criminals, drug cartels and those who just don’t have any right to be here period including those probably with communicable deseases because they get no health checks as a legal immigrant would.
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