Razor wire on the border, and Texans sue Homeland Security
The U.S. Border Patrol is installing razor-sharp concertina wire atop border fencing between San Diego and Tijuana, marking a major shift in approach along a frequently violent stretch of the frontier, writes Richard Marosi.
The triple-strand wire, meant to keep smugglers from attacking agents, will stretch five miles when completed this summer -- the longest expanse of this type of wire ever used on the Southwest border.
Meanwhile, United States residents who live on the border with Mexico are continuing to oppose the border wall project that is meant to curb illegal immigration. The Dallas Morning News is reporting that a group of Texas cities and business groups is suing the Department of Homeland Security to stop the construction of a fence along the border with Mexico.
"The Texas Border Coalition, which includes the mayors of Eagle Pass, Brownsville, El Paso, Laredo and Hidalgo, filed the suit in federal court in Washington on Friday, asking a judge to block construction of 70 miles of border fences and walls in the Rio Grande Valley."
Photo: U.S. Border Patrol agent Richard Smith drives along a section of the border fence in San Ysidro that was recently topped with razor wire. Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times
-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City
In the sketchier parts of town it's not uncommon to see businesses use razor wire to keep unwanted people out after hours, so why is a big deal being made of this? Still, while border enforcement is important (and for reasons of national security as well as for illegal immigration), it's only part of the equation: we need reform to allow a path to citizenship and a guest worker program. As it stands now, it is nearly impossible for a Mexican to LEGALLY immigrate to the U.S.
Posted by: Marcos El Malo | May 21, 2008 at 07:22 AM
Re: razor wire on the border fence:
The caption states that critics say that it disregards immigrant's safety. Are you kidding? Gee if you get a visa or a passport and actually come though an official border, then you wouldn't have to worry about your safety. Poor babies. Stop the Whining!
Posted by: cooper | May 20, 2008 at 01:58 PM