IMPACTS: A PATH OF DESTRUCTION

A PATH OF DESTRUCTION

The Border Wall is not a fence. If this project goes through, plans call for clearing a path as wide as half a football field along the riverfront to build a new militarized zone, 121 miles long. This “enforcement zone” would include a 30-foot prison style steel wall, government roads, surveillance towers, and high intensity flood lights.

This zone would carve a path of destruction through our parks, historic landmarks, cemeteries, neighborhoods, homes, small businesses, ranches, community college, and even a children’s home run by nuns.

The wall would destroy 100% of Laredo’s riverfront parks and public spaces. It would cut through over 700 private properties. Neighborhoods and ranches will feel like they are imprisoned. Precious natural eco-systems would be destroyed. We would be cut off from our river for generations.

A LAND GRAB

The wall is a massive land grab by the Federal Government. Lands that have belonged to the people of Laredo for three centuries would be transferred to the U.S. government, forever.

A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY
The U.S. government has already awarded 4 contracts for Webb and Zapata counties totaling $1.06 billion for 71 miles. That is almost $20 million for every single mile. Those funds could instead be used to FUND OUR FUTURE. For just 1 mile of wall, Laredo could staff and operate a major trauma center for 3 years. It could also replace its entire El Metro fleet into all-electric buses. During a pandemic, it could supply every single student with their own ipad and wifi for remote learning.

STRIPPING AWAY OUR RIGHTS
The wall is turning border residents into 2nd class citizens. In order to speed-up construction, DHS is waiving nearly 30 laws for Webb and Zapata County, creating a “Constitution-Free Zone,” This will lead to an ecological and public health crisis never before experienced in our city and region. These laws include the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Solid Waste Disposal Act, National Fish and Wildlife Act, and 21 other critical laws. These rights are guaranteed to everyone in the rest of the country, making us less than equal. That is unacceptable.

HE WALL MAKES US LESS SAFE
A wall will not secure the border. The Drug Enforcement Adminstration’s (DEA) own data shows that narcotics and other dangerous trafficked items overwhelmingly flow across the border via bridges, airports and sea ports, not carried by individuals swimming across the river where the wall would be.

Better security means securing ports of entry with more personnnel and equipment and training. The wall takes funding and focus away from this, making us less safe. Even DHS’s own Office of Inspector General released a report in July 2020. stating that Border Patrol has not made the case the the wall is a valid national security solution. Better border security means stopping the wall and investing resources elsewhere.

according to a July 2020 report by the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

CORRUPT CONTRACTORS
Over $1 Billion in our taxpayer money has been awarded to companies under federal investigation or who have amassed millions in violations. Fisher Industries has recieved billions despite a lack of experience and their crumbling 3 mile wall in Mission, TX built with the “We Build The Wall” campaign, whose founders have been arrested for fraud.