Barack Obama's victory is good news for reversing one of the great environmental and humanitarian crimes of the Bush era: the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
The wall, about 280 miles long, is a disaster for the wildlife, landscape, people, and economy of the American Southwest. It prevents highly endangered species like jaguars (U.S. population unknown), ocelots (U.S. pop. ~ 80), and Sonoran pronghorn antelope (U.S. pop. ~ 100) from reaching the breeding populations south of the border that they need to survive, threatening the endurance of these great symbols of the Southwest. It also breaks up families that have straddled the border for centuries and threatens the economy of the border region, many parts of which are heavily dependent on birders, naturalists, and other tourists who come to admire the unique fauna.
Most politicians and border residents have always known that a 10-foot wall won't do anything to stop an immigrant with an 11-foot ladder, but few had the guts to stand up to anti-immigration extremists in the Republican party. But watch Obama pledge to tear down (most of) the wall in his February 21 debate with Hillary Clinton -- and pursue a different set of immigration policies to keep the border actually secure:
That's exciting news -- and it's a move that will likely have popular support, especially in the border communities that know how damaging the wall is to the environment and to positive relations with Mexico. During my 2007 investigation of the wall, I interviewed mayors, law enforcement officials, and many local citizens about the wall, and most of them shared the view articulated by McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez:
We're fortunate that right now Mexicans have positive feelings about America and have provided invaluable assistance to the United States in several criminal investigations. But if you really want a security problem, have Mexicans hate the United States, and I'll show you a security problem.
Not surprisingly, the border wall was one of the top issues in the election in the border region, where the wall is mostly unpopular. Although McCain also expressed opposition to the wall in wilderness areas, Obama was seen as the more anti-wall candidate, and he won 57 percent [.xls file] of the vote in the 24 counties along the southern border. Nationally, immigration has declined significantly as a topic of importance as people have focused more on the economy -- according to a recent Pew survey, it's the 11th most important issue for Americans.
The opposition to the wall will help Obama fulfill his promise, but it's going to take his Homeland Security chief to actually implement the reversal of Bush's disastrous border policy, which is why many in the border region are rallying around Representative Jane Harman (D-Calif.). As the former ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee and current chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment, Harman knows her way around the Homeland Security bureaucracy, and she had the foresight and backbone to oppose the wall when few of her colleagues did.
Regardless of who gets the post, however, Obama and his Homeland Security Chief will have to act quickly to remove the wall. The wildlife of the Southwest is already in a precarious situation, and without access to Mexico, they could go extinct rapidly. In one drought in 2001, the population of Sonoran pronghorn antelope declined from over 200 to 21 in the course of a summer; they've since recovered to about 100. Without quick action, almost anything could push them back to the brink.
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Comments
View as Flat
Tasermons Partner Posted 2:11 pm
12 Nov 2008
Okay, but what specifically...
...gives ya any indication that he will do it?
That video is back in February, and some sections of the wall have already been constructed, and the funding has been approved for the other sections.
Has he said anything 'bout use of executive order to halt it?
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WWAGD?! Posted 3:15 pm
12 Nov 2008
No Problemo
The immigration rate from Mexico to the US dropped to near zero starting in 2006.
The birth rate among Mexicans plunged from 6 to 2 in recent years.
That means the wall serves us better to keep our Mexican brothers in, not out, of the US.
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Storm Dragon Posted 3:39 pm
12 Nov 2008
Encouraging words, now show me deeds
It is most heartening to hear that Obama intends to do the right thing with regard to the border fence. Now, we just have to lean on him, (and our representatives in Congress), to make sure the job gets done.
Let the jaguars return!
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Biodiversivist Posted 12:34 am
13 Nov 2008
With the economic "slowdown"
I know a few immigrants who are now out of work and considering heading back to Mexico. No work there either but cost of living is lower. There is also less incentive to cross from Mexico if there is no work to be found.
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
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amazingdrx Posted 12:49 am
13 Nov 2008
Slowdown
One way to slow the border wall down? Publicize the illegal immigrant labor that bush crony contractors are using to build it, and of course the typical shoddy construction and corruption involved in bush contracting on america.
You can bet with 99% certainty that this is the case with any contracting deal oringinated in the worst, most corrupt administration in US history.
The claims that it was actually built might even be faked. Has anyone checked to verify that any of the work has been completed?
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
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Sam Wells Posted 2:20 am
13 Nov 2008
Border Wall
Certain sections of the border wall in the Rio Valley do seem to be under construction. One section in Hidalgo County was actually a good idea because of their problems with the levee system. The parts that are most controversial are in Cameron County, which has those remaining populations of wild cats.
Chances are that the December 31 deadline will run out the clock and much will not be re-authorized to complete the walling projects. Three sections have already been taken off the table. Nobody here likes the border walls, including the Fish & Wildlife Service. Chertoff has proven that he is a mad fool for pursuing this goals despite Congress telling him to work with the locals. Us locals lost standing on one court case but have filed another - we'll see.
Onward through the fog
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amazingdrx Posted 2:41 am
13 Nov 2008
Good news Sam
That's a relief. Thanks.
Concentration on tax related documentation compliance would make sure those who are working here are allowed to legally. Make it legal for immigrants to work where they are needed. At fair wages and conditions and with proper tax collection.
Don't prosecute employers the first or second offense, do spot checks and give people a chance to get legal. If present happy employers and employees who might not be documented were brought into the system it would be a much better mode of government oversight.
Productive employment situations would be documented, without penalty, and no fence would be necessary.
If government is worried about terrorists or smugglers they can use electronics. Deployed competently no one could sneak through without being noticed, including jaguars. Get some nature photographers to help out, they set up cameras to view the most elusive creatures.
But once again, discourage illegal travel by encouraging legal work permits. The permits could then be established with reasonable limits to prevent sudden labor market disruptions. If it is cutting the average local pay rate by say over 10% per year, cut back on new permits.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
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Wolverine Posted 7:42 am
16 Nov 2008
Election Promises
Let's hope Obama keeps this promise and breaks the ones about attacking Pakistan, making a surge in Afganistan, and increasing the size of the U.S. military. Unfortunately, I expect it to be the other way around.
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