LatinaLista — The “Hour of Reckoning” has arrived: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has filed the first of an expected 102 lawsuits to force landowners along the US-Mexico border to fork over their property to the government for the border fence.
The first town that DHS is targeting is Eagle Pass, Texas — population, 26,401.
Bridge that connects Eagle Pass, Texas to Piedras Negras, Mexico.
(Source: Time.com)
In true frontier style, the mayor of Eagle Pass, Chad Foster, who is against the construction of the fence and chairs the Texas Border Coalition, declared,
The first battle of the Texas Revolution was in Gonzales, Texas … Gonzales posted a flag that said ‘Come and Take It.’ … We ain’t rolling over.
With such opposition facing them, you would think DHS would try harder to work with border residents but Foster and his colleagues say the opposite has happened.
Foster and others along the southern border are accusing the DHS of not fulfilling their side of a promise “to sufficiently consider concerns about the effects on the environment, residents’ property and the binational way of life along the border.”
Further, the local city officials claim that DHS has consistently ignored their suggestions for alternatives.
It would seem DHS is in a hurry to build this fence on this Administration’s watch. Otherwise, why pursue the legal expense of fighting 102 cases and create the public relations nightmare that will result from the construction of the fence?
Why has it become so imperative at a time when undocumented immigrants, feeling driven out of their homes in some states because of punitive-targeted state legislation, are opting to return home?
Border town officials have consistently claimed that high-tech alternatives are much more desirable for the area than an old-fashioned symbol of government authoritarianism — especially if it’s staring in the face of a neighboring country.
So why doesn’t DHS or the Bush Administration get it?
Can George W. Bush really think he can enjoy his post-presidential years in a state that fought so vehemently against the border fence for which he authorized?
We know there are organizations ready to implement high-tech alternatives to secure the border.
For example, there’s the America’s Border Security Group (ABSG).
ABSG member companies are trusted government partners across a broad range of Homeland Security functions. The ABSG team led by Ericsson Inc. (NASDAQ:ERICY) includes Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE:CSC); Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR); SYColeman Corporation, a division of L3 Communications; MTC Technologies; CAMBER Corporation; AEP Networks, Inc.; Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin.
ABSG offers a fully operational and comprehensive border protection system to address the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Secure Border Initiative (SBInet). Based on commercial high-speed mobile broadband technology and IP applications, this proven-performance system integrates existing personnel, infrastructure and technology into an SBInet solution delivering fast, efficient and transparent communications for both people and sensors.
Yet, anyone who dares to suggest that the fence is not a good idea or that further compromise/consultation is needed, is immediately villified by those politely referred to as conservatives. (See the following video to see what I mean.)
It’s clear the DHS thinks they will get their way, and they might, but it won’t be an easy win.
Because it’s more than just about property, it’s more than just about the border and it’s more than just about security — it’s about heritage, inheritance and a way of life.
Three things throughout history people have fought to preserve.
Comment(28)
Jax
Frankly, I don’t care how they do it. I just want illegals prevented from entering this country and those who are here returned to wherever they illegally came from!
miguel
Jax stated:Frankly, I don’t care how they do it.
Illegals are untermenschen, eh Jax? What next, load them into cattle cars and ship them across the river? Seeing people as less than you see yourself has led nations to go down that slippery slope where a feeding frenzy ensues and shame is the only thing left.
Frank
IMO, border security should take priority in this country over anyone’s selfish reasons for not building the fence. I would gladly allow it on my property because it isn’t just about me but about this entire nation’s safety. There are no high tech gadgets that will work by themselves. The fence will go a long ways to deter any kind of illegal entry and that would include terrorist entry and greatly assist the BP in doing their jobs.
What good does pride of heritage or a few scraps of inherited land do if we are all blown to kingdom come because our borders weren’t secured? We should think of the good of the entire nation rather than a few individual’s feelings.
EYES OF TEXAS
We don’t need to resort to cattle cars, only a couple of hundred Greyhounds full to capacity to set an example of what’s to come. Once an honest effort is demonstrated that deportation is a reality, hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens would self deport instead of waiting for their turn to experience the deportation process. Illegal aliens of any ethic group must be treated humanly, but they must also face the reality that they have broken the law and there are consequences to such actions.
miguel
EOT… It was a sick tongue in cheek by me because of the present day similarity to the panic the US was exposed to with the Japanese interment camps during WWII. Seem history does repeat itself on these issues.
Texano78704
Can George W. Bush really think he can enjoy his post-presidential years in a state that fought so vehemently against the border fence for which he authorized?
Yes, he can, because he will probably go to Paraguay to avoid extradition for war crimes.
Frank, I’m appalled that you would suggest that the few should sacrifice for the good of all. I had you pegged for one of those dyed in the wool conservatives that are always crowing about individualism, “pull yourself up by your bootstraps,” smaller government and that we don’t need no “commie social programs.”
A couple hundred Greyhound buses? Wow, do you really believe that there would not be any social or economic consequences of removing 12-20 million workers from the labor force? And since 45% of them came to this country by some way other than crossing the southern border, do you really think that a Greyhound to Laredo will work?
Frank
The Japanese interment camps nor the civil rights era is repeating itself with the right to deport illegal aliens in this country in accordance with our immigration laws of today. This isn’t a Japanese or Black issue. It is about illegal immigration and about illegals of any ethnicity or race.
Maldonado
If the U.S. is wants security they should stop supporting Israel.
It’s ironic that more and more Israelis are blaming the U.S. for their own inability to live in peace with their Muslim neighbors.
Israel needs to bulldoze its settlements and return all the land stolen from the Palestinians.
And they need to keep their damn capitol in Tel Aviv.
Deporting Mexicans will not make “America” secure.
Mexicans are just the scapegoats, as usual.
It amazes me how ignorant Euro-Americans can be.
No wonder they are losing their stranglehold on the world.
EYES OF TEXAS
Well, 55% would be a start in the right direction, with the remainder being dealt with in a simular fashion using aircraft. There are figures showing the cost of deporting illegal aliens is less than the cost of subsidizing them. Sure, the U.S. economy would be effected, but only minimally and would balance back after a very short time. Doing something is better than continuing to ignore the situation or accepting the “it can’t be done” attitude. It can be done as I stated before hundreds of thousands would self deport instead of waiting to experience the process of deportation by the law.
Texano78704
“There are figures showing the cost of deporting illegal aliens is less than the cost of subsidizing them.”
Yeah right… by real bean counters or real bigots?
“Sure, the U.S. economy would be effected, but only minimally and would balance back after a very short time.”
And the current recession will last only a couple of months… Any more fairy tales you would like to share?
EYES OF TEXAS
I just got the boot off of another blog similar to this one. It’s quite interesting how these site owners turn tail and retreat when my comments start to rattle their stance on these issues. It’s the same reaction that all the supporters of illegal aliens and illegal immigration will resort to once the facts are shoved in their faces enough times and they start to question their actions and beliefs.
Support America and the citizens of this nation first. Respect our laws, for better or worse, they are laws. Stop the pandering to those that have made bad choices in their lives and now are realizing there are consequences for such behavior. It all boils down to loving America and as has been said “love it or leave it”.
Harry Torta
Huckleberry: “Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee called Tuesday for suspending immigration from countries that sponsor or harbor terrorists.
“Every one of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 came here legally. Our government welcomed them in,” Huckabee said.”
Frank
maldonado, my what a racist, stereotyping of Euro-Americans. If anything like that were said of Hispanic-Americans, you all would have a fit in here.
No one that I know of has ever said that deporting Mexicans would make America secure. They and all other illegals should be deported because of our immigration laws. We should secure both of our borders to deter anymore illegal entry by any illegals and that would include Mexicans, other illegals and terrorists.
We don’t need scapegoats to demand that our immigration laws be enforced. They stand on their own merit.
Horace
Maldonado,
How will you deal with the millions of Central and South Americans that are born into poverty every year? Another amnesty will just encourage them to come north and violate our borders again and again, crowding our cities and living in appalling living conditions that inevitably accompany the poor. Why should we believe that this amnesty will solve the never ending root cause of illegal immigration? I’ll tell you now, if you have your way, Hispanic-non Hispanic relations will only worsen, as citizens get increasingly angry at the lies amnestas like La Raza, et al, have told us and illegal immigration continues. These are the considerations that Hispanics constantly ignore for the sake of their tribal sentiment.
Evelyn
To Frank and Eyes
GO SIT ON A TACK AND SPIN………YOUR LIES, CRAP SLINGING and dreams elsewhere.
Your lies, opinions, and dreams don’t count.
The only thing that counts are credible facts, and the FACT that the American people are believing these facts, as opposed to your rhetoric.
Get a clue…… follow the election results of Obama and Clinton as opposed to the RepubliKLAN’s.
Evelyn
Maldonado
Talk about ignorant Euroamericans.. the one here that thinks 200 bus loads or 11,000 max is going to put a dent in the number of unauthorized immigrants in this country. Ha! Ha! LOL! My friends rolled on the floor laughing about that one and said to “ask the idiot what he plans to do with the other 13 million?” LOL!
Maldonado
Evelyn: “Your lies, opinions, and dreams don’t count.
The only thing that counts are credible facts, and the FACT that the American people are believing these facts, as opposed to your rhetoric.”
Exactly. Theyve distorted the truth theyre starting to believe it now.
And as far as deporting us, well this FTP is for fran and horatio j hornblower
miguel
EOT wrote:I just got the boot off of another blog similar to this one. It’s quite interesting how these site owners turn tail and retreat when my comments start to rattle their stance on these issues. It’s the same reaction that all the supporters of illegal aliens and illegal immigration will resort to once the facts are shoved in their faces enough times and they start to question their actions and beliefs.
EOT stick to your guns. It works. “Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it†A. Hitler
Do not be take it out on us for what others must of seen as antagonistic remarks.
EYES OF TEXAS
All I meant by deporting bus loads of illegal aliens instead of 10 or 20 at a time is the impact it would make on all other illegal aliens. It would demonstrate that mass deportation can be accomplished and that would cause thousands of illegal aliens to self deport. Just from recent crack downs on illegal aliens in some parts of the country, many illegal aliens are heading home on their own. Don’t think for one second that mass deportation can’t be done and imagine the impact it would have on those illegal aliens when they realize they might be next. Doing something is always better than doing nothing to solve this situation.
EYES OF TEXAS
Their is only one truth that needs to be understood and I do not know how anyone can contest it. Truth, the United States of America is now harboring between 12-25 million illegal aliens that have broken the laws that were intended to prevent them from being in this country in the first place. Truth is an easy thing and facts can not be disputed. So, be honest with yourself and understand that illegal immigration is against the law and punishable by deportation. Only the facts.
Frank
maldonado, what truths have been distored? Really when it comes right down to the bottom line of it, the only thing that matters is the rule of law. Not your statistics and not mine.
Deporting us? Does that mean that you are an illegal alien?
EYES OF TEXAS
The biggest lie being told here is that 12-25 million illegal aliens present in this country is good for the nation and American citizens. The second biggest lie is that mass deportation is not possible. If it hasn’t been tried how can it be said to be impossible? The next biggest lie is that the U.S. economy would tank with the removal of all illegal aliens. Sure, it would stumble, but would rebound after a very short period of time.
Both sides of this issue carries their own bag of lies and propaganda. But, when the dust clears there is only one truth. Illegal aliens have broken the law and processes are in place to arrest, prosecute and deport them all.
Texano78704
I thought the biggest lie being told here is suggesting that there are 25 million.
“The second biggest lie is that mass deportation is not possible. If it hasn’t been tried how can it be said to be impossible?”
No one is questioning the possibility, only the results of the effort. Further, outside the social and economic effects, I am sure you have no clue as the logistical nightmare that would be.
According to the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the cost to deport most of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants who are here now would be $94 billion. I can tell you right now that ain’t gonna happen.
“The next biggest lie is that the U.S. economy would tank with the removal of all illegal aliens. Sure, it would stumble, but would rebound after a very short period of time.”
Um, yeah… I’m sure business owners every where will enjoy watching labor costs double and then double again in a matter of weeks. The amount of currently unemployed is only about 7.5 million. Kind of tough to stretch that labor out to fill the shoes of 12 million, assuming that many of them are willing and able to do back breaking labor. And there is no guarantee that the unemployed will be in the same geographic locations that the greatest needs are.
Yep, bag of lies and propaganda does pretty well cover it.
Frank
That is why I am in favor of the SAVE ACT. Employers will have to use the e-verify system to check the validiy of the employees currently on their payrolls and any future hires. This will occur over a period of 4 years, so the impact won’t be as noticeable. The illegals will self-deport without jobs, so there would be no costs involved as in just rounding them up and mass deporting them at the taypayer’s expense.
The only back breaking jobs that Americans probably wouldn’t do are those in the ag industry. We have always had a huge number of blue collar American workers in this country.
As far as not having enough people to fill those vacated jobs, many of those jobs were created by illegals and for illegals. Those ethnic type of businesses would go under. They weren’t there 20 years ago anyway. Citizens who shop there would just have to shop elsewhere.
IMO, our economy has expanded way beyond what is healthy for this country anyway. A smaller economy to fit a smaller population would be much more desirable.
If the employers have been paying slave labor wages to illegals and getting away with it, I certainly am not going to worry about them having to pay a fair wage to a legal worker. Prices may go up but so will wages to compensate it.
Texano78704
“As far as not having enough people to fill those vacated jobs, many of those jobs were created by illegals and for illegals. Those ethnic type of businesses would go under. They weren’t there 20 years ago anyway. Citizens who shop there would just have to shop elsewhere.”
Now there’s a bigoted statement if I ever heard one, Frank. What you are saying is that every Mexican restaurant and taqueria are run by illegals. I have to say that is probably one of the most disgusting statements you have made to date.
“IMO, our economy has expanded way beyond what is healthy for this country anyway.”
I think we are seeing the economy shrink as I write this. However, I’m pretty sure that most of us aren’t going to like it.
Jax
I find that I must repeat myself. What part of “illegal” don’t people understand? In this instance, it means people who have no right to be in this country. Why is this so hard to understand?
Frank
Texano, you misinterpret me, no surprise. I wasn’t talking about businesses owned by American Hispanics nor was I implying that every Hispanic owned business employs or caters to illegals. But it is true that a lot of small ethnic businesses do cater to their own ethnic groups and illegals would be part of that group. How in the world is that a bigoted statement?
If our economy is shrinking along with a shrinking population, then that will be a good thing in the long run.
Dirsh
Oh screw it! Lets just totally open our borders to the whole dang world.
I say let Al Qaeda in, let the Communist Chinese in, and sell off America piece meal till it’s just owned by a series of companies.
Anyone who says something about immigration is immediately targeted as a racist.
I tell you what, I’m American Indian, and although I’m not saying I got a love for the white man, I can say I’ve traveled to Mexico, and the indigenous Indians there are treated like the lowest form of life. I’m sorry, my people have had to put up with that crap long enough. Now you want to let people into this country who are just gonna make it worse…
Makes me very unhappy.
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