The Wall of Shame
by Richard Sapien
February 3, 2009
President Barack Obama has promised change in Washington. As Obama pushes forward to reinforce the American legacies of opportunity, prosperity, and ingenuity, the presence and ongoing development of the border wall, erected between the United States and Mexico, pushes back in the direction of oppression, fiscal irresponsibility, and immigration reform ineptness.
The Secure Fence Act of 2006, signed by Former President George Bush, granted the Secretary of Homeland Security to “take all actions the Secretary determines necessary and appropriate to achieve and maintain operational control over the international land and maritime borders of the United States…”
Masked under the cover of national defense, the border wall legislation, aided by the Real ID Act of 2005, approves of the Secretary’s waivers of dozens of federal and state statutes; ignoring those that address various economic, ecological, and cultural concerns and preservations. Among these statutes are those defended by the California Coastal Commission, including the Commission Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act. In regional affairs, the border wall through El Paso has sliced through the sacred ceremonial lands of the Ysleta Pueblo del Sur Tribe and the wetlands of the Rio Bosque Park.
In a time of heightened national security alert, ever growing apprehension over illegal immigration, and the increased nervous anxiety over drugs and arms trafficking, there is no doubt that a solution is called for to effectively seal our borders. In addition, it is accurate to say a war is violently raging on only a couple hundred yards away from United States soil. With that said, securing American borders should not come in the tune of a billion dollar (plus) speed bump.
The argued need for the border wall mostly stemmed from the consequences of a failed American immigration policy and a failed “war on drugs.” Rather than aiding the states and local Border Patrol agencies (the two authorities most informed in how to tackle our border crisis) with increased financial and logistical support, the federal government has chosen to ignore local and state representatives and further empower themselves instead. What happened to small government? The border wall act is reminiscent of other legislation in the name of national security and less individual and state liberties: the USA Patriot Act. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.”
A solution for illegal immigration and trafficking is needed, but the border wall is nothing but a mean for higher ends in Washington to sleep at night. While the wall is a tangible form of action for them to refer to, the wall does not lower the demand for drugs, arms, or the hopes for a better life. There will always be a taller ladder, a deeper hole, or an even bigger stick of dynamite. The aforementioned is exemplified in San Diego, where in 2007, border apprehensions among its triple-fenced wall increased by 7%, despite a national drop of apprehensions to 20%. Instead, the Department of Homeland Security should refer to proven border defense strategies, such as Operation Hold the Line In 1994. The operation, involving the close, strategic positioning of border patrol agents along the El Paso borders, resulted in a nearly 70% drop of border apprehensions. May it be known that the operation was headed by an avid opponent of the border wall, then El Paso Sector Chief Border Patrol Agent, now Congressman, Silvestre Reyes.
As Obama battles not only an economic recession, but a recession of worldwide social support, he and his administration must open their minds and take on the challenges of our borders in an intuitive and effective manner. Blockading the country from the rest of world, all while piling onto our trillion (plus) debt is not the answer.
Those who have opposed the wall, specifically those representing a common regional view, should be applauded. Among the border wall opponents are Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Texas State Senator Eliot Shapleigh, Texas State Representative Norma Chavez, El Paso Mayor John Cook, El Paso County Judge Briones, El Paso County Attorney José Rodriguez, the Texas Border Coalition, and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.
We must tear down the wall and strengthen our relationship with our partners in Latin America. We must secure our borders through increased support and funding of the Border Patrol, their agents, and their technology. After all, we must remember that even if the border wall does remain standing, it will continue having no effect without someone patrolling and maintaining it. Finally, we must reform an immigration policy that has left hard working humans desperate for their opportunity of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
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Topper February 4, 2009, 9:05 pm
GREAT ARTICLE!
AMERICAN CITIZEN February 16, 2009, 7:38 pm
To begin with,
I have experienced much more of the possible outcomes of the border with regards to illegal immigrants. As you stated, “we must tear down the wall and strengthen our relationship with our partners in Latin America.” How much more strength do we need?
Let me ask you a question Mr. Sapien, have you ever driven around the border at lets say 3 in the morning? I could say that possibly you have not correct, and why is that? Could it possibly be because you know that you are safe and you don’t have to do that? Or is it because you have never thought of putting yourself in our “Department of Homeland Security’s” shoes? I can guarantee you that because of this wall not only has the number of illegals dropped but the number of drugs and auto thefts and crimes have all seen a relative downfall, and why is not the question to ask but the question is, IS the wall working? and I would say yes myself from seeing the number of illegal juveniles to the number of illegal adults in our cities. It is very simple to gather information from articles of people against the so called “wall” but why don’t you have a one-on-one conversation with someone who has to live with the duty of protecting our “land of the free and the brave” and see what they are doing everyday to keep you safe at home and safe at work/school and able to write this opinionated article.
Of course there are many people who are against the “Wall” but what about the people for the “Wall”.It is simple to say “oh here we go again wasting billions of dollars by building a “wall”, but do we care” In all due respect, would you like for your child brother cousing family to be apart of a drug war and have our youth be destroyed due to the overspill of drugs. I didnt think so…
So before you say the “Wall” is a shame, maybe the wall is not the shame maybe it is people like you who are full of shame looking for a way to go against our government who has done what it has to, to protect you and your family/friends from a war that not even the worst of people can hide from. And also if you like to have people live in our country for free, receive money for free, and receive homes that AMERICAN CITIZENS do not receive for the simple reason that illegals qualify better than the actual tax paying Americans, then I will be dammned to see you say the pledge to our flag, because it is our land. There are many ways of becoming a naturalized citizen and a resident, but believe me I would not allow and illegal citizen to stay in a country regardless of how hard they will work, there are no short cuts in life.
Before you write about our government and their choices please look at the side where you are protected by our government to be able to speak about our government in such a negative manner.
So I will end this comment with this, “Open your eyes and have a nice day Mr. Sapien”
Richard Sapien February 16, 2009, 11:03 pm
Mr. American Citizen,
No, I have not driven around the border at 3am. With that said, thank you for serving our country and Border Patrol agency. Your efforts are applauded.
Now let me ask you a question of my own: Have you ever had to slave away for little, knowing that there is no hope for social progression or prosperity? Have you ever worked hours upon hours doing jobs that most Americans are unwilling to do, all while being paid below minimum wage? Probably not. This is because you and I live in a great, free country. A country that was founded by our forefathers based on the grounds of immigration and the chase of the American dream. A problem with our country today is that we have neglected immigration reform making hardworking individuals, like you and I, desperate for the opportunities that we are fortunate enough to have.
First let’s talk facts. The facts are that border walls around the country have proven ineffective. Border patrol agents, just like yourself, have gone on record stating that the increased fencing only delays an illegal alien for about five minutes. If the wall was so effective, why has former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff stated the fence has “symbolic” value, and “the idea that you are going to solve the problem simply by building a fence is undercut by the fact that yesterday we discovered a tunnel”? Current Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano and Congressman Silvestre Reyes (former El Paso Sector Chief Border Patrol Agent) are both large opponents to the wall. If the wall is so effective, why would those two more qualified and informed individuals be so largely opposed to it?
You are right that the number of crimes, including carjacking, has gone down in recent times. However, how can you accredit your testimony to the border wall? Most of the El Paso wall hasn’t been standing for three months- do you really think you have sampled a time long enough to project the eventual long term trends due to the wall? The answer is no. Carjacking in El Paso dropped by 44% from 2007 to 2008 (http://www.elpasotexas.gov/police/statsbycc.asp), way before the Wall of Shame was built. I’ve noticed similar trends in nearly every crimes category- should I post those numbers up too? My point is that crime is definitely on the way down; however, it’s been going down for a year now and it is definitely not in attribute to the border wall. Border apprehensions have been following a downward curve for about ten years, why implement a border wall now?
It is interesting that you mention the war on drugs. In case you missed the memo, the war on drugs has not worked since its introduction. There is another war raging on, maybe you’ve heard of it. This war is in Mexico and is greatly due to the great demand that our country has provided Mexico’s drug cartels. You mention a spillover but let it be known that the El Paso Police Department has not officially noted one homicide or kidnapping in connection with the war in Juarez. Hey, I’m just saying.
I am not for illegal immigrants in our country, but I am for better opportunities to help deserving, hardworking individuals gain the same opportunities that we have. I will proudly pledge to my flag and to the ideals that our country stands for. By supporting legislation that ignores the Constitution, I question whether proponents of the wall are true to what they are pledging for.
Good night.
American citizen February 18, 2009, 10:30 pm
I agree with you about the better opportunities to help deserving hard working individuals… Although you forgot one thing “American Citizens”. Of course you say that the wall only slows down the illegal’s 5 minutes correct? well in all respect those 5 minutes allow multiple agents to respond to the immigrants within a minute or so. If we need to better our relationship with Latin America don’t you think maybe they should stop being so lazy and clean up their own civilization rather than trying to be apart of ours?
of course we can talk facts, but how good are facts when all the truth and certain aspects aren’t disclosed to the public it is very simple for us to read the news paper and say we that without the wall the U.S. would be doing the same way it is now. but in all honesty that’s not true.
now you asked me have I ever slaved doing work that Americans wont do… well vice versa, have you, because working on a ranch and working for everything I such as other Americans have done know what it is like. of course we wouldn’t work low end paying jobs and others such as “illegal’s” would and do you know the reason of that? let me be the first to inform you that approx. all the people who suffer working like “slaves” are not citizens or residents. yet they have falsified their identities by stealing others names, with doing that they are able to claim social security, housing food stamps and utility help. of course your right though they are trying to better their lives but what makes them so different of waiting like all the other immigrants who filed their paper work and became tax paying residents who value what it is to be apart of the united states.
now we can talk politics, but Reyes, a retired border patrol agent, is against the wall… yeah not too surprising he did retire before we had our terrorist attack correct? so therefore what he saw was nothing compared to how the border is today . of course you say the demand for drugs from the U.S is what has Mexico the way it is. then if that’s the case why aren’t the drugs getting across? I’m sure your going to say the wall has nothing to do with that and you’ll give me a couple of other facts that people are against it. we protect our own and defend our land by all means necessary.
let me ask you another question. have you heard or ICE? Immigration and customs enforcement. Do you have a slightest idea of what our agency does? how many sections to our agency we have. do you know how many illegal’s are being held here in El Paso alone? would you rather these people who broke the law several times who are illegal who have cause harm and offended our country to be in the united states with the excuse of I’m trying to make a living and better myself all while getting DWI’s possession charges… ask them how they got to the united states crossing the rio grande, walking across the dessert close to the P.O.E’s its amazing how much information isn’t disclosed to the public for their own good but all I can say is that wall is up the numbers are down and the illegal’s are now thinking more about trying to cross or not. now they may have tunnels but remember we are 3 steps ahead of them they think their not being seen but they are. the technology is unbelievable. the wall scares away the bad and helps control our nation from having the spill of whether it be Mexican natives to Cubans to Africans Albanians Germans Iraq Lebanese etc…
The impact of the wall may not be viewed by many Americans who are opposed to it but the Americans who feel that our country is taking the necessary measures to keep our citizens safe and our lives protected
I feel our country needs to demonstrate to the other countries that we are willing to help if they help themselves beforehand. Control their people help their people and respect their people. Until then I feel our wall has served its purpose by keeping the illegal’s out who feel they are better than the other people that do what is right by waiting in line and taking their turn.
Good day, Godspeed.
Richard Sapien February 19, 2009, 2:17 pm
I can’t agree more, the Mexican government must definitely do their part to fix the social and political unjustness in their country.
It seems that you are misconstruing my argument. As I have stated, I am not for illegal immigrants in our country. Unfortunately, I believe they are a threat to the welfare of the citizens of the United States, regardless if they are “behaving” or not. Now with that said, I understand their desperation. The fact is, some people can’t afford to wait for over five years to have an opportunity to simply feed their children. This is even bigger reason to reshape our immigration reform policies and make it easier for those who are deserving individuals to become United States citizens. Just think about the economics behind the dilemma: Do you really believe a honest, hardworking individual would sacrifice thousands of dollars and their life if they had a more viable alternative? We must recognize and support the tremendous contributions immigrants have made to our country, especially those from Latin America.
Anyway, we are straying off tangent. I believe the border wall will prove ineffective in the long run (see San Diego), is too costly, and is unconstitutional. I understand you are going to support your department’s policies, but don’t let the propaganda get to you. Following the September 11 attacks, the Border Patrol aired videos of the towers in flames in order to support their need for a wall. Unfortunately, no wall would have stopped the tragedy of 9/11.
I will gladly bite my tongue if the border wall proves to be a valuable investment, all while holding my breath as I hope other liberties aren’t stripped away from us. I’m sure the wall has proven effective for you thus far. Just give it a little more time though until alternative routes are discovered, tunnels are dug, and holes are blasted. If the smuggling of drugs and humans does not drop drastically within the next five years, I will chalk the wall up as another failure for the Bush Administration.
Time will tell. Take care.
Khaos March 10, 2009, 9:18 am
Pretty good article, well researched and ultimately well organized. although the wall is considered by many a long overdue measure that may ensure security and help some americans in other parts of the country sleep better at night, we know better. There is always a way for immigrants to gain entry into our country and this seems like another test of their ingenuity. Erecting the wall took severeal million dollars out of the national budget and in a time of dire economic crisis, we must see this as fiscal irresponsibilty on behalf of the former administration. Mr. Sapien and I are in strict agreement that money ca be invested in more pressing matters of national attention. The wall will not, I repeat WILL NOT, prevent the lucrative arms and drug trafficking that seems to grip Ciudad Juarez and other cities that border the US.