Opinion by Hal Brown
A second SUV went through the wall at the same place out of view of the cameras set up nearby. Therefore the Border Patrol didn’t know about the breach until it was too late. The other van burst into flames. 19 people were inside but nobody was killed, Read that story here.
This is the southern California harvest season so the characterization of it involving human smuggling makes it sound more nefarious than it really is. Of course people are being smuggled. However, they are most likely being smuggled so they can work,
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Ever since Trump’s war on migrants I’ve considered many members of the Border Control to be make-believe cops playing dress-up with deadly weapons. Trump and his supporters want us to believe they are protecting us from criminals, rapists, thugs, and MS13 gang-bangers. Of course we all know who they are “protecting” their white country from.
By far the majority of the so-called criminals they catch haven’t even committed a felony. The first offense is a misdemeanor. Of course all of them are entitled to a legal disposition in court of their claims for a right to enter the United States.
While no doubt there are well-meaning members of the Border Patrol and I am sure many have the best intentions. At a starting salary of about $45,000 with benefits it may be the best paid job they could get without a degree. Reference
Some members were revealed to be hard-core bigots in July, 2019: see: Inside the Secret Border Patrol Facebook Group Where Agents Joke About Migrant Deaths and Post Sexist Memes. The group had roughly 9,500 members. They shared derogatory comments about Latina lawmakers who planned to visit a controversial Texas detention facility on Monday, calling them “scum buckets” and “hoes.”
The Border Patrol should focus on making sure those who have crossed the border illegally are safe and never treat them like invaders.
Today I read about the first instance where I think they should have been more aggressive. If they had stopped this van before it was slammed into by a truck 13 people would be alive today.
After being asked if the vehicle was chased, Watson (State Police officer) stated that there were no law enforcement agencies involved in the incident. Border Patrol officials have since stated that they did not pursue the vehicle after it crossed the border.
In addition to this it is the only time I can think of an instance where a more effective wall would have saved many lives since the van entered the United States through a 10 foot gap in the wall where from the photo you can see one segment on the ground.
When it come to a demonstration which highlights the need for immigration reform add this to all the atrocities committed by the Trump administration by treating the adult undocumented migrants like war criminals and their children worse than the country treats juvenile delinquents. If we had a smooth and humane process to screen those wanting to enter the country across the southern border 25 people wouldn’t have been jammed into that van.
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I’d like to see the Trump wall removed and our southern border look more like our border with Canada. Click to enlarge.
The Poll: It is a political calculation for President Biden whether removing existing segments of the Trump wall is worth inflaming the GOP. I don’t see him adding to it. Obviously the poor maintenance led to this horrible accident. The wall is a symbol of so much of what was wrong with the United States under Trump. I think that regardless of the reaction among xenophobic right-wingers it should be taken down. This would send the message to the world that our open border is a hallmark of our democracy. What do you think?
Because there may be options I didn't think of I have three choices which I will designate if a commenter suggests them or I think of them.
Click “take it all down” with the understanding that this would be done when it was politically expedients.