The Dividing Fence

September 2, 2:39 AMImmigrant Community ExaminerWilfredo Rodriguez-Padilla

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Photo from Wikipedia. Nogales Sonora, Mexico

Brownsville, Texas- Access to the golf course located in the University of Texas at Brownsville won’t be threatened by The Department of Homeland Security’s current project, a massive barrier running across the US-Mexico border. Instead of the proposed 18-foot steel fence, the university agreed to repair a 10-feet-tall existing fence north of the campus’ golf course.  Cameras and sensors will also be installed by Border Patrol, in case any illegal immigrants disrupt a million-dollar swing.

“The Great Wall of Mexico,” as some critics call it, will add 670 miles to the existing 74.8 miles of fence already in place, mostly in California and Texas. The proposed expansion came to life in 2006 when President Bush singed the Secure Fence Act. The project underwent numerous reviews and survived persistent criticism from the Mexican government, human rights groups, and environmental organizations. So far, the government has built 309 miles of fence.

The university’s success in forcing the government to work with them is a far cry from the experiences many opposition groups face. Their attempts are often thwarted by a Congressional waiver given to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. 

“No Mexican official has met with the International authorities or commented on the situation at this writing. It is expected to change when the International Boundary and Water Commission provides information regarding this matter and grave concern regarding the U.S. entry into Mexican soil by 20 meters, an act which is, according to the plaques on the obelisks, ‘a severe penalty’ of international law,” said concerned residents Teresa Leal and Alejandro Castro in a statement published in Narcosphere.

Nogales, Mexico residents fought the US government to keep a few border marker obelisks dating back to 1848 in their original place. Despite the opposition, Homeland Security officials in Las Mariposas, Arizona moved the historic Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo obelisks 20 meters south onto private land to continue construction of the fence.

Along the border, a string of opposition groups ranging from municipal leaders to private landowners continues to argue against the proposed project. 

“I'm speaking for 45,000 people when I say that those who want this fence don't understand the border, don't understand our sense of community,” said Efrain V. Valdez, mayor of Del Rio, Texas in article published by the Washington Times. “We are loyal, devoted Americans. We are not against border security, not against the construction of fences where it makes sense.”

The project will continue despite the controversies and most likely carry on to the next administration. Both major presidential candidates voted as Senators in favor of H.R. 6061 in 2006 and remain committed to the project. The fence will be an important issue for immigrant communities – especially Mexican and Hispanic groups – which see the construction of the barrier with skepticism.

According to a 2006 Rasmussen poll, 46 percent of Americans would support a candidate who favors a barrier along the Mexican border.  Another poll by CNN/Opinion Research Corp.conducted on June said that 52 percent of people who participated in the study favor building the 700-mile fence, while 47 percent oppose the idea.  

There is a clear divide between political parties as well. "Fifty-eight percent of Democrats opposed a fence on the Mexican border, while 66 percent of Republicans favor one. Independents mildly favor a fence, by a 55 percent to 44 percent margin,” said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland in an online article.

For now, presidential candidates will be able to play some golf in the University of Texas at Brownsville and point around the north side to the visible result of the secure border policy. They’ll have to win over the critics and explain how a barrier of this magnitude works. History is littered with examples of failed attempts, like the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall and the Israeli-Palestine walls. That won’t be an easy ball to hit.