Eagle Pass City Council Approves Resolution Opposing Trump Border Wall
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas City Council unanimously approved a resolution opposing the construction of the replacement Trump Border Wall on the banks of the Rio Grande River in the community at a special meeting held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
Eagle Pass Mayor Luis E. Sifuentes stated that the citizens of the community do not support the construction of the $50-$60 Million Trump Border Wall for the sole purpose of replacing the existing border wall within the city limits.
Mayor Sifuentes noted that it is a waste of U.S. taxpayers funds to spend between $50-$60 Million to simply replace an existing fence that is working and does not need repairs. Sifuentes suggested that these federal monies would best be used to build infrastructure and a high technology border national security defense system. Sifuentes added that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic these federal funds can be better used to protect the health and safety of American citizens instead of building an unnecessary fence. Sifuentes called the proposed construction of the replacement fence as “ridiculous.”
Councilman Rolando Salinas stated that he looks at the proposed construction of the replacement Trump Border Wall from an economic perspective and cost analysis and it does not make any sense to spend and waste federal funds when the existing fence is already doing its job and is not in need of repairs or replacement. Salinas added that he supports the resolution opposing the construction of the replacement border wall.
Councilman Elias Diaz stated the resolution is in opposition to building a replacement border wall when the existing fence is doing its job and that national border security is a complex issue and national leaders should listen to U.S.-Mexico border leaders on the issue. Diaz added that U.S.-Mexico border communities rely and depend on each other for co-existence and economic sustenance as many citizens have family on both sides of the border.
Mayor Sifuentes thanked Eagle Passans Alejandro Flores and Robie Flores for bringing to the attention of the City Council the wasteful and unnecessary construction of the replacement Trump Border Wall and in requesting the City of Eagle Pass approve a resolution in opposition to such federal waste of taxpayer funds.
Robie Flores in an interview with the Eagle Pass Business Journal stated that many South Texas public governments along the U.S.-Mexico border oppose the construction of the Trump Border Wall, including Webb County, Laredo United Independent School District, Laredo Community College, and now the City of Eagle Pass.
Flores added that “our tax money is being grossly misused during this national health and economic crisis facing our country. It’s egregious that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government comes into town and doesn’t help us, but to destroy our beautiful port of entry and replace a fence that already serves no purpose.”
The Trump Border Wall will replace the existing 14 foot high border fence along two miles of the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico border with a monster 30 foot steel wall in the middle of the two international bridges, municipal golf course, public parks, recreational areas, and delicate environmental and wildlife habitats. The replacement border wall will be an aesthetic eyesore and an environmental danger to all citizens on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Alejandro Flores, brother of Robie Flores, added that “no one supports spending money on doubling the height of an existing fence, over the economy and health of our community” in Eagle Pass.
Both Robie and Alejandro Flores plan to organize a No Border Wall chapter in Eagle Pass to educate the public about the waste of the Trump Border Wall and to organize opposition against the replacement of the functional existing border wall with the controversial and damaging Trump Border Wall.
Robie Flores stated that the construction of the Trump Border Wall is also “a racist statement against our border community and its citizens.”
The City of Eagle Pass is awaiting to receive the final plans on the proposed construction of the Trump Border Wall from the federal government before deciding what additional action it may take against the construction of the replacement wall.
In other South Texas communities, public governmental entities, non-profit organizations, environmental and wildlife habitats, and private farmers and ranchers have filed lawsuits against the federal government seeking to stop the construction of the wasteful and unnecessary Trump Border Wall.
