OPERATION HOLD THE LINE was implemented in 1993, by the US Border Patrol, where the Sector Chief at the time Sylvester Reyes foward deployed Border Patrol Agents to the US Levy and spread them out 300-500 yards from each other. This brought down illegal crossings by 70% and crime down by almost 40% in El Paso. The fence that was later constructed helps agents cover more ground and gives them more time to respond to illegal entries. It’s disgrace of the New York Times for a commenter to have to give a history lesson and make up for the lazy reporting on this issue. The Fence/Wall works. It is also a shame, that Beto and Veronica Escobar (El Paso Congresswoman) and Dee Margo (El Paso Mayor) skip over this fact and downplay the significance of the Operation in 1993.
Would it make any difference to Trump or his supporters if they recognized that before 1846, California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona, half of New Mexico and part of Colorado were all part of Mexico? Or that Texas was a Mexican territory that was won by the U.S. in 1836? Probably not. But the facts are there.
The history, culture and language of a significant part of the Southwestern United States was once very Mexican and much of that culture still exists. Until very recently, in historical terms, the two nations enjoyed an easy socio-economic flow back and forth with only rivers and invisible lines as borders. A high and ugly wall would once have been unthinkable. Such a wall always has been and still is an immoral concept.
1
Paxton is a dishonest man without an impressive intelligence.
If Ken Paxton is speaking, he's lying. The Republican state leadership is beyond racist and against almost everything most citizens want. Even the legislature is more balanced. Kind of like saying it's only a small shark.
I believe he is still under investigation for fraud, no less.
I just wonder, if Trump wants to build the wall using his own money, can he legally build the wall? If he can, he can start building the wall few months before 2020 election and stop immediately after the election. He can also claim that wall expense is part of his campaign expense. The sole purpose of wall is for his re-election and nothing else.
1
The President hardly speaks for anybody beyond himself.
As for the entirely resolvable dispute over the number of beds available for apprehended refugees, if the government shuts down for a second time in the first, brief six weeks of 2019, then all members of all branches should step aside so that the whole dysfunctional machine can start up again from scratch,
While negotiations are particularly tense, Trump's endlessly bloviated bile accompanied by the costly and wholly unnecessary deployment of troops will only exacerbate the distrust.
2
I live in El Paso and have lived here for over 25 years. I did not support Donald Trump during his primary campaign and held my nose a bit when I voted for him in the election - but we are church going small business owners and these two issues - our church and the business climate - are extremely important to us. So my husband I voted Republican in 2016. Tax season is upon us and it looks like the Trump Tax Plan did save us a noticeable amount of money. This nonsense about late term abortion on demand and the attendant disrespect of the church has also given some validation to our decision to vote Republican. But we do not like what the President said during the SOTU about our city.
This IS a generally safe city. But it is also a city that is beset with difficulties resulting from illegal immigration and the byproducts of it. The wall, barrier, fence - call it what you will - is only a partial solution, but it is of value in some places when accompanied by other measures. So I have no opposition to barriers where the professionals at the border say they are needed, but I don't care for the President's characterization of our city as "high crime".
This is a lovely city. It has welcomed immigrants, native born peoples, tourists, and businesses from around the world. And our family extends its welcome to the President, but wishes he would use less hyperbole when he talks about the place we call home.
What if Trump threw a manufactured crisis and nobody came?
3
This has nothing to do with the security of the nation, but Trump's standing with Ann Coulter and the rest of the Trump base.
6
Does anyone remember the old New Yorker cartoon that shows a real estate guy showing a prospect the enormous high-rise he's built in a scenic village?
"Of course, the best part of living here is that your view isn't spoiled [by the enormous high-rise itself]".
Perfect analogy for Mr. Trump's screed--as long as he can surround his supporters with a wall of words they don't have to look at the ugly situation he's fostering.
4
People are being PAID up to $15/hour to attend the rally in El Paso..unreal!
1
Let us trump the Trump - let us have a BORDER BALL every weekend.
Large parts of the USA are becoming more predominantly Hispanic/Latino and that scares a lot of people. They are fine with paying people cash under the table so they don’t have to abide by labor laws or provide worker’s comp or health insurance, but flip the coin and they don’t want “those people” changing the fabric of the nation. Well, people, it’s happening, and guess what: that in itself is not a problem! El Paso is 80% Hispanic, and many white people there (like my brother and parents, who were born and raised in El Paso) are unnerved by it. They feel that they get dirty looks in stores because they don’t speak Spanish, or because they are white. Despite this being my own parents, I really have no sympathy. If dirty looks are the worst you experience, I’m really not concerned. I suppose most people see white-haired white person and think: “oh someone who doesn’t like Latinos and voted for Trump.” In this case, they are correct that my parents voted for Trump, although they have since expressed sincere regret. But live with the choices you made, right? I will say that this is not a simple issue though. I don’t want a porous Juarez/El Paso border, so yes, to use a simple word that has become a four-letter word, I want a wall between the cities. But I also want more facilities for processing daily travel between the cities and increased crackdown on employers who try to cheat and steal from immigrants and treat them as a subclass. That is border security I can get behind.
1
I'll call it right now: Trump will not fill the stadium, and Beto will attract at least double, if not triple, Trump's attendance. As for Trump, I'll call that, too: he'll be out of office before Wednesday, March 20--the first day of Spring 2019.
2
@David
Approximately forty days from now? To 'force the spring', the phrase Secretary Clinton's husband used in his first inaugural?
@David
I so hope you are correct.
“It makes a difference when you see it with your own eyes”, says car dealer Bob Giles in regard to the proposed wall, which he opposes on economic grounds. It also makes a difference if you are capable of opening your eyes to observe what actually exists. Donald Trump, Texas A.G. Paxton, Gov. Abbott are liars as the ‘facts’ presented in this column point out. They are using their considerable power to create hysteria, remove legitimate voters from the voting rolls and overwhelm media coverage with this sham event. Trump is trying to create support for another government shutdown, that is all this is. He wants to pin this one on the Democrats and will stop at nothing to achieve his aim. He is a demagogue pure and simple, emphasis on simple.
2
trumpy's ignorance and lies are a danger for our country; they divide us into those who read and think and those who accept what he says as gospel.
They divide us because he seems to have a bottomless well of funding and focus for useless "stuff" and tax breaks for his cronies, "policies" which increase costs, harm our public square, and in cavalier fashion ignore the critical condition of our infrastructure.
Then there are the insults and slurs he heaps on citizens, regions, cities, and especially ideas, as he makes up "facts" that are stripped of reality but appeal to certain supporters.
There is no basis for care for this country, for truth, facts, humility, or authenticity in him or in his thoughts and actions.
So I find solace in Jennifer Senior's article in yesterday's NYT ("Our Brains Can't Handle the Trump Era") in which she speaks of Trump's scatter brain as follows: "When I imagine his brain, I imagine a bug zapper in a drizzle.Bzzzzzzt. Fzzzzz.Bzzzz fzzzz bzzzzzzzzzzzzzt."
Thank you, Ms Senior. You have explained it all.
1
President Trump is clearly the creator of his own fake news when it comes to El Paso. I can't decide if he is incompetent and cannot grasp facts -- or simply an all-out racist. I'm still bothered that in his lengthy SOTU, he didn't make a single comment about the public health crisis that is 100% American: gun violence. Leave El Paso alone!
2
We have a POTUS who lies to the American people, over and over and over. Hundreds and hundreds of times. And here he's still in office.
GOP: we will remember this forever. You are done.
1
In a democracy the mob rules and today Trump is the leader of the mob.
I traveled many times to El Paso over the last 30 years. We quit going to Juarez when the cartels took over... people can say what they want... but things did not get better until the wall went up. Coincidence? I think not.
I think many political figures are denying the need for a wall on the border because they are thinking more about re-election.
1
@Todd Things got better in Juarez when the wall between El Paso and Juarez went up. Hmm, how would that even work?
I heard El Paso's mayor on CNN this morning. Without at all attacking Trump, he explained very clearly that the El Paso metro area constitutes the largest city on the entire US-Mexico border, and that the economy is build upon cross-border cooperation on business. Raw materials and parts are exported to Mexico, where finished products are made, and then shipped to the U.S., with duties paid on the labor that went into the products.
My takeaway -- we news consumers are being short-changed by inadequate coverage of the details of key political issues. I will wager that a majority of Americans probably think El Paso is a lawless jungle, best by crime and low-lifes sneaking across the border to rape and pillage. Trump, of course, promotes this portrayal to justify his "wall," but the damage to the citizens of El Paso and the Mexicans just over the border is incalculable.
The point is: we need to expect the media to do a better job -- a much better job -- of describing the true facts on the ground, and not through the filter of political agitprop.
1
Trump’s “promise to the people” was that he was going to build a wall and Mexico would pay for it. It was not a vow that they would pay for it “indirectly”. Rather, it was clear from the beginning that HE would get our southern neighbor to hand over the cash.
It’s only been since actually becoming president that he has learned getting other countries, or political factions, to kowtow to his whims has proven to be a problem.
I say NO MONEY for his misguided and unwanted wall unless he gets the money from Mexico, as he claimed he would. He must be held accountable for his random claims. For one, I do not wish to pay for his mistakes.
2
@John Gelland
And remember, in his first call with the then-president of Mexico, Mr. Trump tried to get him to play along and let him continue to make that claim?
Even if Mexico, Russia, or the Martians paid for a wall, the concept has a lot of other problems.
Trump's rally will be so outside the reality of El Paso, if his minders aren't careful he could wind up throwing paper towel rolls at the crowd.
With cartels in control of the American/Mexican border one has to wonder how many cities on or near the border have their politicians in the pockets of the cartels? They certainly have the resources to buy border city politicians.
Since El Paso has an 80% Hispanic population, how many MAGA folks will have to be bused in to fill 6000 seats to hear Trump *speak*?
2
Wouldn't it be amazing for tonight's rally attendees to drown out Trump when he repeats his lies about El Paso. "Trump is lying! Trump is lying! Trump is lying! "
Maybe this time when Trump mentions his wall we will hear some disapproving boos from the crowd.
They're not called "RINOs" for nothing.
1
Most of the population of El Paso is Hispanic. Of course there won't be numerous Trump supporters. This wall needs to be built. It's ridiculous that Americans can't see just how dangerous it is to not secure the southern border.
The City of El Paso should sue donald trump for damages to their economy for his outright lies, treason and slander. Take trump's ill-gotten gains from his dirty business dealings - including those with the Russians - and use it to pay for free college for every citizen of El Paso.
Why is it that democrats want the Mexican cartels to control the border. Is there some kind of financial incentive?
@jaco
Why is it that people like to make outrageous claims about Democratic motivation, and pass them off as facts?
Tricky Trump is nothing if not persistent, like the Duracell bunny. He is chasing a pipe dream of a wall, that would be a monument to super-ness. It's all about the narcissism.
Apparently El Paso is not the place to get support, as his claim about it becoming a safer city after a recently installed fence has been clearly disproved. And city residents' posts to this article indicate that Trump is barking up the wrong tree.
His rhetoric would play better in backwoods Deep South.
"...people from across the ideological spectrum in El Paso had a message for him on Sunday: Don’t speak for us."
Sure. But then again, there will be a couple of thousand screaming Texans at the El Paso rally wearing their red MAGA hats cheering on Trump.
I will believe the residents of El Paso sending Trump a clear message when they actually boo him off of the stage at his rally. No THAT will send him a clear message.
1
Remember The Maine!
@j24
Are you reminding us that it was another pretext to mislead the U.S. population into taking aggressive action against a Latin American neighbor?
@GrennanAbsolutely
Trump's lies are refuted before this rally, and they will be after this rally. Here's what it's really about, he misses those moronic crowds cheering his every word, and he'll go home much happier.
To Trump, the polls that prove a vast majority of Americans don't want the wall are lies.
The effect of his ego stroke rally won't last long.
oh, the irony.
and the NY Times, on a handful of anecdotal quotes, should speak for all of El Paso?
laughing so hard, I fell off my chair.
2
@Joe Yoh
At least they've been there, laughing boy. You?
Didn't think so. Go get some artisanal cheese and stick to what you know about El Paso. Nothing.
2
What makes El Paso think they should speak for the United States?
2
Trump and his minions are playing strictly by the fascist, dictator’s playbook. He, Stephen Miller and the rest of his cabal know that using the disaffected working class against a targeted population to mistrust and hate provides a cover for deception and division. He is bent on destroying our laws, legal system, intelligence agencies, and democratic republic.
These are evil people with no empathy or sympathy for anyone but themselves. Trump is the bus driver who isn’t waiting for someone to be thrown under the bus. He is just plowing through the crowd.
God Bless America and long live our Republic.
1
The wall made no difference in making El Paso a safe place to live, the people did. Delusional Donny thinks he can come to El Paso and sell the proverbial snake oil to the people of El Paso.
5
Surreal to see the most powerful country in the world under the thumb of a lying stooge.
4
LOL! Leave it to the NYT to go dig up the left wing Democrats who don't want the wall, and the Republican who are running business and love the cheap labor they get. That's the sad story about the wall folks. Our nation needs it for security, but too many people, very rich people, both Democrat and Republican want a wide open border because illegals are a huge source of dirt cheap labor, and they drive now wages for legal U.S. labor on all the jobs that don't require a college degree. Democrats of course see millions of illegals as future democrat voters which is the main reason they don't want a wall, and both Rich Democrats and Republican love the cheap labor. After all think what Cher and Barbara Streisand would have to pay to have their lawns and pools cared for if they didn't have access to illegals or legals whose wages are 1/2 half what they'd have to pay if there weren't a 100 illegals waiting to take their jobs for even less?
1
@John Brown
Tell it to Mr. Trump, whose preference of foreign workers for cheap is legendary.
Frankly, people can and should work for what the market will bear; in most cases, working here beats being back in their country of origin, but please don’t try to claim some high ground on the issue - it’s as bogus as trying to make us fear them being here.
El Paso's message seems to be 'pound salt', not 'don't speak for us'...
1
This looks like the perfect time for Beto to announce that he's running for President!
1
Why not detain Trump in El Paso ?
He is a danger to El Paso so why not take him to jail or a mental health facility?
Take all his supporters along for the ride. Right now they are taking us all along for their idiotic ride.
Jeeze what did all the normal people do to deserve this freak? Who could dream that not voting would lead to this nonsense?
4
My favorite part of this article is the fact that, for once, an author (or his editor) correctly used the word HOMED instead of the oft-used but grammatically suspect/incorrect HONED.
Great, another rally on our dime.
He can’t govern, is too lazy to do anything but Tweet and watch Fox & Friends. He doesn’t want to actually do the job he ran for, so why not run his ignorant mouth at another geek show for his deranged followers, and attempt to incite the next Pittsburgh. I wonder how many neo-Nazis will show up to Trump’s rally.
2
I worked in El Paso and Las Cruces for nearly three years. Never once did I feel unsafe. Like any other city, it has its issues, but I'd say that the people there are among the most welcoming, family-oriented, and hard-working in the United States. Characterizing El Paso as some kind of hell hole is nothing more than Trump trying to make brown people scary for his shrinking, know-nothing base. The fact that El Paso is 80% Hispanic makes it especially offensive to anyone who knows the area. Of course, Trump doesn't know anything about the history or people. If he did, he'd understand that El Paso and most of the Southwestern states, all of California, and parts of the Rocky Mountain states were, in fact, part of Mexico long before we took the land. But Trump never let facts, history, or decency get in the way of a good lie. I really hope that Beto O'Rourke's rally turns Trump's pathetic race-baiting gathering into a sideshow.
5
Build the wall;
Keep these illegals out of NYC
1
Lived in West Texas from '98 to '07 in south Brewster County on the border. Always looked forward to my trips to El Paso because it is a very friendly, welcoming city. The idea it was some sort of battle zone then or now is inaccurate and offensive. I have never felt uncomfortable there at all.
It is unlike other American cities due to its fascinating history and place in both Mexican and American cultures. Very cool city that has always welcomed all. Best cheapest sushi I've ever gotten was there with a very old Japanese owner and sushi chef. Rest of the staff was all Hispanic. Customers from both countries enjoying good food and having a loud good time in two languages. El Paso in a nutshell.
3
I think that lining up along the border is an excellent job for Trump supporters. They should all do it, 24/7, 365 days a year, from now until after election day in 2020. And make very, very sure that you're there on election day and not at the polling booth, because the rest of us need border security.
1
Unfortunately, trump has no standing in reality and his words are pure propaganda in an attempt to lead the American public away from the short comings of his administration. Logic, vision and comprehension of the issues we face are beyond trump and the day will come when we will have a leader that is honorable and truthful once again.
1
Every single rancher who doesn’t want Trump to take their property by imminent domain should get out there with Beto and demonstrate against Trump. If he calls a national emergency, it’ll happen sooner than you think.
Beto’s anti-wall demonstration will have much bigger crowds than Trump’s. I can’t wait for the reports to compare and the subsequent Trump denials.
It is unfortunate that our Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Senators are silent - They are supposed to represent all Texans. Everything I read says that they are worried about Texas becoming a swing state - and yet, they do nothing to demonstrate leadership.
I am a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the Allen County Superior Court, IN. I recently was a participant in continuing education focusing on human trafficking. One of the presenters was a woman who had herself been trafficked beginning at age seven. She described a method of control used by traffickers to control children - fear and misinformation. This method was also described by a young African woman who had been trafficked to Bloomington, IN. This is probably the most disturbing criminal activity I've ever been presented with. As I continued to think about this method of fear and misinformation, Donald Trump came to mind. The El Paso story is an example.
1
Any wall, if completed, would be like a sieve. There are 48 legal entry points on the U.S./Mexican border, 330 entry ports and nine railroads cross the border. The border cannot be sealed. It would ruin the economies of both nations. Recently, I read that most illegal immigrants flew here and totally skipped crossing a land border and then over stayed their visas.
Walls can be climbed over with ladders or burrowed under with tunnels and if they use steel railings to build it, a hacksaw can cut through it. Both parties support border security but only one party wants to waste money on 16th century technology.
What this nation needs are improvements in infrastructure and that wall money Trump is willing to shut the government down for, could be better spent on that infrastructure.
1
If you have ever been to EL Paso or crossed over to Mexico one of the first things you will see are the gated communities or high iron gates/walls around the homes of the wealthy. The irony of their preaching against walls.
Dear Mr. Barela,
Trump is not ‘wrong about the wall and wrong about El Paso.’
Trump is lying about the wall and lying about El Paso. He does that a lot.
Also, as a fiscally conservative Republican, your ‘small’ tax cut expires in 2021 (right after the election). His much larger tax cut goes on in perpetuity. He lied about that too. Your children and grandchildren will be paying for generations.
1
Good for you, El Paso.
I hope the GOP enjoys their time with Trump, because this is the last. Trump does not represent the modern generations.
Amazing the comment from "calvary scout" Ascencio: I want to be there for Trump.
Be there for our country, our debt and racism from Trump.
Think what this billion of dollars would do for other problems like healthcare and mass shootings.
Listening to Trump is not the best way to form an opinion about anything. He is the all about propaganda.
Scares me that he continues to have supporters, swayed by Trump and not the truth, the facts, and weighing the pros and cons. Too many cons for this decision.
"Mr. Barela disputed Mr. Trump’s widely discredited assertion that border fencing had cut violent crime in El Paso"
Of course our "President" is not going to let a little inconvenience like the truth get in the way of a good blustering diatribe. Mr. Trump is now caught in his own fantasy, but he cannot escape the web of lies he has created because like all pathological narcissists he is utterly incapable of admitting he is wrong.
Because he could not pull off even the simple task of repeating his talking points during the election campaign, some genius created a memory aide to keep him on message. His presidency is about to explode due to his insane attempts to transmute the fabrication contained in a mnemonic device into physical reality. Hoist on his own petard indeed. It would be comical if it were in a screen play. Instead, the tragedy that is our 45th president continues with dire consequences for all.
1
I lived through the building, then the destruction of the evil Berlin Wall. I was struck by the efficacy of the graffiti. I have also been struck by the sweeping installations along hills and valleys. Then the idea came: as parts of the wall go up, a twin could be erected on the Mexican side with jolly illustrations, comments and boasts from the President. It could be done by subscription. I see for example a merry image of Km Jong Un and the President playing table tennis, called Ping Pong Diplomacy. I have already in the past five minutes thought of about twenty - some of them rude, but these by agreement could be avoided. I watched Baby Trump floating around Parliament Square in London. That cheered people up though it was unkind and lacked taste but highly appropriate: just like my autocratic toddler grandson.
$25 billion on the wall? How about $5 billion and making it for security, part wall or fence, but mostly people and technology. But the Dems aren't for that either. As far as going shopping in Mexico, I wouldn't suggest it today. Yesterday is long gone.
I’d like to see a wall go up along the entire border,” said Joshua Ascencio, 21, a cavalry scout in the United States Army who has plans to become an agent with the Border Patrol when he leaves the military. Mr. Ascencio said he was looking forward to Mr. Trump’s rally.
“I’m a supporter of the president and I think it’s important to be there for him,” said Mr. Ascencio. “I want to hear him on border security.”
Mr. Ascencio broke Armed Forces Law when he took sides backing a political figure. He is not allow to publicly take a stand. My nephew is a Capitan in the Army and he will not even tell me in a private conversation who he backs. He reminds me he is not allow to reveal his political views. I wonder if he will face disciplinary action if his superiors read this.
1
What are the odds that Beto announces his candidacy tonight, early on, so the media won't cover Trump's rally, at all? Would be a great opportunity for him to get TONS of free, national coverage, no?
1
I hope the people of El Paso go to the Trump rally and boo loudly. I hope they bring a Mariachi band to drown him out. I hope they come showing their great Hispanic culture, in droves. And, I hope they kick him, and his MAGA nut cases, out of the city.
Remember, Texas was a state of Mexico, before 1836. It was outsiders that fought the revolution, and it was a military strategy mistake by Santa Ana that resulted in his defeat at San Jacinto. Texas still has a sizable Hispanic population, many who trace their history to Mexico. Just like much of the southwestern US. Most seized, by the US in wars, by "Manifest Destiny".
Trump, and his supporters, do not like the idea that WASPs have become a minority, and Hispanics is the fastest growing demographic; especially in the southwest and in Texas. And, they usually vote Democrat.
And, by the way, Trump, most people who live along the southern border do not want a wall. They do not want their access blocked to the Rio Grande to water or drive their cattle. They do not want to go through border control to work their ranches Finally, they do not want you messing with Texas.
15
As someone who was born and raised in El Paso, I have to add my comment. My siblings and I were free range kids with the freedom to roam all over the neighborhood and as teenagers, all over the city. We took hikes in the surrounding desert, often gone for hours. I had the most diverse group of friends. I always felt safe and this was in the 1970's to early 1980's. At the same time, I learned 'street smarts' and am so grateful for my diverse friends and their families. These were the nicest most welcoming, hard working people. It's nice to hear that El Paso is still, in many ways, the place I remember.
19
What he said about El Paso being one of the most dangerous cities at one time was incorrect.
What was true is that more barriers and Border Patrol did make a huge impact on local criminal activity here in El Paso.
If your older than 40 and have lived here you would know this. Bars on people's windows were common, burglaries and auto theft were high, the Southern Pacific train near Sunland Park would get robbed in the 1990s .
It was dangerous to walk or drive on Paisano St at night (a street on the American side) due to Mex. Gangs crossing the Rio Grande which was often a puddle to rob and commit assaults.
My point being those here making comments that are from Mass, NY, Up North , MI and those that are younger living here in El Paso or grew up in a better part of town not next to the line wouldn't know that. Many of you are commenting out of Ignorance and falsehoods just as EP was called one of the most dangerous cities at one time. It is much better amd safer because of that fencing, wall, barriers and enforcement. I advise you to cross the border into Juarez and walk their streets at night. But many here making comments wouldn't know that since your not from here or old enough to know. 6th generation El Paso Native, we were here before it was the U.S.
9
You mean when it was part of Mexico? Oh, the irony!
12
@Miguel Terrazas I am older than 40, and have lived in El Paso since before the fence went up, and you're not telling the truth. Don't lie about our hometown just because you support Trump. Also, there are plenty of statistics from the police and the FBI that refute your lame anecdotal evidence. Maybe those are the stories your parents told when they were afraid you'd get into trouble. The stats clearly point to a brief rise in crime after the wall fence went up. You are "commenting out of ignorance and falsehood."
36
@Miguel Terrazas Crime across the country has dropped substantially in all cities when compared to the early 1990's. There are many reasons for this and attempting to draw a direct cause and effect line between one thing (like some fencing) and a drop in crime in your area is simplistic at best.
15
I am from El Paso and I remember when the street car system ran over to Juarez, which made it really easy to shop. My grandparents shopped at the Pronaf center and my uncle had a great dentist in Juarez. He used to gas up his car in Zaragoza, just down river from Juarez, even though he worked for Texaco in El Paso. Drug violence ruined Juarez as far as cross border shopping, but the violence is fueled by American demand for drugs. The war on drugs is a failure, but we continue to repeat the mistakes of the past because fighting the "war" keeps a lot of government money flowing. Politically, looking tough is better than finding solutions and a lot easier.
153
@Richard
Really good comment! I remember going over the border to Juarez many times from my home town of El Paso. Took visiting relatives many times. We bought food (I remember cookies, bottled coca cola, and beef) from the grocery stores in Juarez. I remember the luminarios at Christmas, 10 avocados for $1.00, and really good Mexican food!
1
@Richard Back in the 1960s there were no barriers or fences to speak of. Kids used to swim across the Rio Grande. The border was a line of the map and the U.S. did not have an immigration problem. Mexicans would often cross the border and work a few years here and then go back home with the money they had saved. There was little net migration if you subtract the ones who returned home from the number who entered.
It was fluid and in balance.
When they began to build walls and barriers in the 1970s, it became too difficult to go back and forth and that is when Mexicans began to stay here and send for their wives. The barriers that were meant to keep them out actually created a situation where they were locked in the country once they got here by the cost of crossing the border.
2
The current infux at the border needs to be fixed at its source: opportunistic smugglers taking Guatemalans on a costly uncertain journey. I've heard none of our politicians talk about ways to help change the situations of desperate immigrants in their own countries.
El Paso is a picture of what the future can be: a multicultural peaceful city with friendly, hardworking people. The arid, sometimes stark environment is mitigated by the warmth of its people. What America needs to be, El Paso already is.
124
I agree with you about the US needing to become far more proactive in helping to solve the issues in the countries where many are seeking to flee by coming here. If we could only adopt a listen and then offer help based on the information received then I bet many people would be happy to stay and support their country of origin. I really don't care who comes in but I really do care that all we seem to do is police and defend without offering support abroad.
4
@AnnB
El Paso may indeed be a picture of what the future can be, but it is certainly a picture of the past. By that I mean that this city, as well as the entire state of Texas, used to be part of Mexico. It should come as no surprise then that many (most?) of the people living in El Paso are of Mexican descent.
It seems that the people most susceptible to Trump's anti-Mexican rhetoric live hundreds of miles north of El Paso. Chances are these folks are as ignorant of history as Trump himself appears to be.
6
I lived for many years in America, in many different places, including El Paso. Without running down other cities or areas, I can without reserve say that El Paso is the least divided, least racist, safest and most decent place in America that I experienced. It is pathetic that Trump is bringing his message of hate to such a kind community, but no doubt the fine people of El Paso will turn their backs on him when he comes and continue living as they have for decades.
246
@Fergal OhEarga------Thanks for sharing your informed on-the- ground insights.
2
@Fergal OhEarga
How refreshing to finally hear from the good folks in El Paso on how safe their city really is.
This will be a strong background against the hate that Trump will voice when he is there.
Sooner or later other cities will add their voice and we might finally get rid of one pitiful figure who was never up to the job.
2
Ken Paxton is a despicable political opportunist. I have no idea what he really believes but I do know he is at the forefront of the ethnic cleansing of voters of color in this state. He and the Governor are racists wrapping themselves in the flag as if that somehow masks their true intent.
Paxton and his followers are not real Texans, not the Texans I know and am proud call friends. Shameful is the only clean word I can say.
10
Another 25 million wasted on an Air Force One joy ride. All to stroke the ego of our narcissistic "Commander in Chief."
20
Trump went on and on about the border before the midterms and promptly loss the House of Representatives. Pretty much any politician (or person, really) would learn from that experience and find another drum to beat on. But the President's mind doesn't work that way. We are very lucky that the first potential authoritarian of our lifetimes is such an idiot.
14
Fiscal conservative is an oxymoron. More apprpriate would be heap-debt-on-my-children conservative.
9
May the resistance, with the help of Beto, humiliate Trump and his retinue.
10
Some People in El Paso’s Message for Trump Before Rally: Don’t Speak for Us"
There: I fixed your headline.
You're welcome.
3
El Paso, please have a great, big showing against the racist bully tonight. Many of us will be with you in spirit.
8
Can't wait for 45 to praise our ability to speak English.
10
The "El Paso Prevarication", and its Oval Office Liar-in-Chief proud head sponsor, will be on full cringeworthy display in the Lone Star State today, abetted by an all star group of Trumpian cowboy-boot lickers, anchored by the #1. shameless sycophant Cruz. Oh, what an historic moment for the continuing perpetuation of falsehood and the further defiling of the American Presidency! MAGA .
7
This time, Trump is not thinking out loud saying "He,ll take responsibility for" a shutdown. He's coyly trying to blame it on Democrats.
BUT it's the same scenario: Fund the wall or else!
Screw that! No funding. Not now. Not ever. Shut the government down AGAIN, and this time Trump is finished.
5
@Moehoward
And this time ALL government workers call in sick on day one.
Trump wouldn't work for nothing.
Why would you?
1
Expecting Trump to tell the truth about anything is like the Jews waiting for the messiah to come: something long promised but never seeming to happen.
Why should anyone expect him to tell the truth about El Paso.
2
Arn't some Christians waiting for that, too?
@Steve
January 24th 1961 the Messiah arrived in NY
I do agree though that trump never tells the truth.
Although their crime rate isn't anything to boast about, worse than 60% of other American cities--especially rape--the issue is about illegals coming through and pushing north to where the works is for low-wage workers.
That needs to be brought down to zero. No secure borders, no country, no taxes, no federal workers.
2
We have a "User-in-Chief" who will throw anyone under the bus who helps him further his lies. This month it's the fine city of El Paso.
Let's hope that the investigations undercover the underbelly of Trump's actions and he and his family are short time tenants in the White House.
5
Donald lied all his life and people around him bailed him out. Now, he is stuck for all his lies that he told his supporters during the 2016 and he will build a wall and Mexico will pay for it. How can anyone believes anything that Trump says. He has zero credibility.
8
Trump's Wall is socialism at it finest...follow the money!
1
@antiquelt - There are. Lot of things you can "blame" on socialism but Trump's wall isn't one of them.
The only crisis on the southern border is Trump. Maybe the residents of El Paso should hang a banner on his parade route saying "Liar go home."
7
Build a wall around trump.It is essential for the security of this nation.
7
Is support in a Trump rally really "public support"?
6
The data is pretty compelling that Trump is right:
https://realestate.usnews.com/places/texas/el-paso/crime
(scroll down a bit)
But, the the Left doesn't really care about data.
4
@Amy...You don't seem to be able to read your own data. The article does not support Trump, in fact it is just the opposite. Further, the graph at the bottom compares El Paso to the National average and not to cities of the same size. Note that the border fence in El Paso was expanded in 2005 when crime was already at a very low level.
5
@Amy Your data purporting to show that "Trump is right" (about the wall) are not at all compelling, unless you ignore the fact that fence construction in the El Paso area did not begin until 2006, several years AFTER the big drop in violent crime shown on the USNews chart. According to FBI data the pattern of crime rates over time in El Paso has been nearly identical (at a consistently lower absolute rate) to that of other cities of similar size in the US. See https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/feb/08/donald-trump/no-border-barrier-did-not-drive-down-crime-el-paso/
There is compelling evidence that nationwide drops in rates of violent crime starting in the early 90's were
in large part due to the phaseout of leaded gas starting in the early 70's. If Trump is as truly concerned with "making Americans safe" as he says he is, he should forget the wall and focus on tightening (rather than loosening as he has been doing) clean air and water regulations.
1
@Amy If Trump was truly concerned about our safety, he would do something about this.
Nearly 40,000 People Died From Guns in U.S. Last Year, Highest in 50 Years
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/us/gun-deaths.html
25
It's a pity that El Paso is unable to refuse entry to the President.* No place that causes such fear in a 70 year old man could possibly be agreeable - wouldn't he feel safer among the undocumented workers from Costa Rica who staff his golf courses? After all, with them he can always call la Migra and get rid of them should they offend him. That's not possible in El Paso and it must cause him great concern.
7
They're mad at Trump for lying about El Paso and the border, but come voting time will put him back in office.
3
Is the president ready to send troops to Chicago?
Please reference the number of shootings there in 2018 and cross reference that on a per capita basis with a corresponding area of the border.
Of course there is crime in populated border areas, but take a look around the country as a whole and the ethnic backgrounds of arrested and convicted violent offenders and a large majority are either citizens or here legally.
The cost to build this wall should be shifted as better wages for border agents, which in turn will attract better recruiting. In high traffic areas barriers can be improved and made less nasty, as in the Nogales razor wire.
However, this single "promise" to build the "wall" is dragging the whole country into a quagmire.
4
Why is trump even going to El Paso? he is not going to change the facts. I will eat my hat if he fills the stadium.
I've seen polls indicating that the farther someone is from the border (say in West Virginia or Iowa) the more likely that person is to fear illegal entry and support a border wall. Such views seem irrational to me and there is probably some psychological term to explain it.
5
Several respondents have remarked that illegal entrants read our Constitution. I would suggest that Mr. Trump (a native English speaker) first take on that task, as his style of governance shows his ignorance of that guiding document. This is political theater, plain and simple. This rally is intended to energize a dwindling base, and keep the pressure on wavering Senate Republicans who see the increasing political damage of this issue. As a Coloradan, I can't help but smile at the squirming Sen. Cory Gardner. We need resolution of this immigration issue, but we won't get it as long as we demonize the helpless, and seemingly reward the wealthy who continue to hire them
5
The state of the union is at low ebb when fear mongering is the only rhetorical device in play.
Too many Americans are afraid of losing their standing as the dominant group; you see it in the hand wringing about how whites will no longer be the dominant voting bloc by 2030, the harsh fictions spread as gospel about how immigrants steal jobs, our property and even our lives.
It is at times like this I feel a measure of shame and embarrassment about being American, and feel the need to apologize to all fair minded citizens - this is not who we are as a nation, and our better natures will prevail as we have a great platform to work off of as a society.
We need to stem the tide of trying to demonize large segments of our society and begin constructive diplomacy and governance of the people, by the people and for the people...it is never too late for hope of a better tomorrow but we need to accept it will be made by all Americans, not just those of privilege.
3
Help me understand. Should we be able to determine who comes into our country or not? If the only criteria is a heartrending backstory, there are billions in Africa and South Asia who pass that test. The democrats until recently believed illegal immigration reduced wages and resources for our own poor. Caesar Chavez opposed illegal immigration on that basis.
1
And trump has a message for El Paso, the United States and the rest of the world—trump is president, you do as trump sayo or trump will use the powers of the office of president to attack and hurt you. And congressional republicans will support trump.
3
The Republicans continue to militarize our law enforcement efforts. War time equipment for city cops. National Guard and Military personnel deployed to the border. Razor wire spread from sea to shining sea, like some internment camp.
And even after all of that, the Republican voters in North Dakota and Wyoming are still afraid they are going to be attacked and killed by someone crossing the border. I wonder where they get that nonsensical idea?
If we really want to control who comes into this country we would have a system that can quickly verify the status of the people who want to come into our country at the border. Determine their purpose for being here and issue them the appropriate paperwork. Think about the customs process at the airport, if we ran Customs like we run the border no one would ever get out of the airport.
2
It would be so gratifying if El Pasoans boycotted the event. Enough with the campaign rallies in the middle of a presidentially-created "crisis." The president is the crisis. I would like to see him on the other side of the wall if it does get built anywhere.
6
My city is consistently one of the top three safest large cities in the United States and has been so for a long time - well before border barriers were constructed. One of the facts that needs to be mentioned is that immigrants have a far lower crime rate than people who are born in the United States; they are a law abiding group that pays taxes, works, sends their kids to school, and contributes to the public good. My city is bi-lingual and multi-cultural. Over 80% of El Paso residents are Hispanic. We also have a large military base, Ft. Bliss, that adds to the diversity of our population and the strength of the economy. There is no ethic or racial tension in El Paso and the city has historically welcomed and integrated immigrants from Mexico and other countries without animosity or xenophobia. When refugees from Central America have entered the country at the El Paso port of entry in search of asylum, local churches and non-profit agencies have generously provided shelter, food, and assistance at no expense to the taxpayer. This is a great place.
138
@Mark
Illegal immigrants do not pay taxes or send their kids to public school. They take jobs away from legal citizens. There's no racial tension because the majority of people living there are Hispanic, many being illegal immigrants.
@Mark
I can't understand why anyone would resist barriers that the NO experts say is required? This assertion that it's immoral and not who we are is ludicrous.
Thanks for sharing your experience and facts about your city, Mark. I hope you can join others in protesting Trump’s rally and inevitable lies. I wish I could be there tonight to do so
2
Thanks to Mr. Barela and Mayor Margo for speaking out against The Con Don. It's WAY past time that people with power and knowledge speak out against his inane spouting.
Please truly Good People (not those Minister Pence calls to), keep up the great work. This Presidential Pretender has no clothes and it's time for anyone who still supports him to figure it out.
6
These people certainly don't speak for the majority of the American people. Border security is a national issue not to be impeded by a local with financial interests
1
You don’t speak for the majority of American people. It has been proven time and time again that most illegals are those who have overstayed their visas, not those who are coming across the southern border.
Besides, walls are easily climbed over with a ladder or dug under. They are no real deterrent.
5
So many Americans on the right believe that walls and fences are a good thing. Step up to the plate and show that you not only can talk the talk, but that you can walk the walk. Demand that walls and fences go up around all Trump properties so that Donnie can enjoy their beauty forever.
It is amazing how many people constantly believe something is a great idea as long as it does not take place in their backyard.
23
@mjbr....
The first line of "America the beautiful" is
"Oh beautiful for spacious skies.."
Dumpfers want to put a wall--cutting thru those skies.
They have lost whatever mind and sense of beauty they ever had. This country is spozed to be a beautiful city on a hill, NOT an ugly walled fortress.
1
I have lived here since 2005. There was already a large steel fence along most of the border along the border highway. Down in Paisano, close to Sun Land park, there wasn't. It was common to see Mexicans crossing over while driving in that area.
At some point the fence was extended all the way across, and now there are no Mexicans crossing illegally.
When Juarez was exploding with drug violence 5-6 years ago, there was a sign put on I-10 "Plato y plomo", cartels announcing that there reach extends here. Cartel related arrests happen and most of the time only make a line or two in the media.
Instead of a $50 billion expenditure on a wall that won´t work well, why not consider an approximate investment in the form of an economic stimulus in areas south of the border.
A ten- to twenty-fold multiplier effect would draw most migrants to economic opportunities much closer to their native lands.
Of course there will be ¨problems and issues¨ to resolve — and some of these may be impossible to fix — but these challenges can not be greater than those surmounted by Americans for over two centuries.
For those who think the wall as an investment with multiplier effects, think again. This is really a ¨guns vs plowshares¨ situation.
11
@jlazcano
I agree that if the US has an immigrant problem that investing in the countries those immigrants are coming from is a far better use of our money than building an ugly, environmentally harmful wall, barrier or fence. It appears, however, that we need more immigrants in the States to fill jobs and to support Social Security and Medicare for our aging population.
4
Donald Trump probably thought this would be his victory tour. Force the Democrats leadership to the table, cram them down with unreasonable demands and indifferent negotiation, and watch them cave. It didn't work. Heading to El Paso, an area of Texas that does not believe in the Wall, or the policies of Donald Trump, will not work either.
9
@STSI You live in Mexico city el Norte and you haven't noticed how your country is changing before your eyes?
@nivek yentrouc The country changed before other people's eyes when my Irish and Italian grandparents came over at the turn of the 20th century--it worked out okay.
Again, Trump's ignorance speaks for itself. He has never traveled outside of NYC, DC, and Florida in the US, except on photo ops.
El Paso folks should be well poised to tell him, no, we have been safe for many years.
I hope they do. I love Mexico, its polite people, and also the great (don't mess with) state of Texas.
245
Yes, Pat, I hope they show up in HUGE numbers to boo him and set him straight. He deserves no respect. He stole the position and is stinking up OUR white house every day he lurks around it.
11
"As a fiscally conservative Republican, I just don’t understand how spending $25 billion on a wall with limited effectiveness is a good idea,” Mr. Barela said in an interview. “Mexico is an economic and strategic ally of the United States, and an antiquated effort to place a barrier between us just won’t work.”"
I wish every rally goer would read this article. When I think of the demagoguery this president relies on to enthrall his base, my blood boils.
The misconceptions about El Paso, and the lies the president will spew tonight never get challenged on the spot.
Donald Trump has convinced an astounding number of people that what they see isn't real: that takes really brass.
His gaslighting of immigration challenges isn't driven by conviction like Stephen Miller, whose ideas are scary enough--but by a ruthless and cynical stubbornness to advance His own 2020 candidacy.
Immigration is the president's life raft but its tearing this country apart.
396
@ChristineMcM
Steven Miller may have told Trump that immigration is his life raft but that life raft is sinking like a rock.
Demonizing immigrants or whatever group gets Trump's base riled up is one thing but closing down the government again? That is lunacy and it may well bring about his downfall; I hope it does.
111
@ChristineMc
Have you lived here before we recieved more fencing or Border Patrol Agents or grown up on the Border Christine from Mass? It worked here in El Paso where my family has been multiple generations. It worked protecting my property in AZ.
4
@Miguel I have never been to El Paso, but I read this paper avidly and as the specific article I was responding to says, most local leaders (Republicans all) emphatically dispute what the president is saying. You are providing anecdotal information as one resident, and likely a supporter of this president. Given the disparity, I have no choice but to believe the data and quotations cited in this article.
119
At the end of the article one of the people who was interviewed says that a person's understanding of the situation in El Paso can change "when you see it with your own eyes." When Trump stages his rallies, he arrives with what amounts to a script -- same old same old. He doesn't spend enough time to explore the place, or to listen to people who have different views and experience. He travels in a bubble, and he leaves with his opinions intact and possibly even buttressed by the adulation of his groupies. Sadly, Trump is not a rock star. His responsibility is to hear and to learn, not to perform standards from his repertoire.
470
@Rinwood
He is unwilling to hear and incapable of learning. And since those ARE his responsibilities, he seems to be unable to "discharge the powers and duties of his office" - words of the 25th amendment.
30
Trump's too much of a coward to explore the area. He'll fly in, rant and rave, and fly out. Trump's like a fly, he eats .... and bothers people.
2
What he said about El Paso once being one of the most dangerous cities at one time was incorrect. What was true is that more barriers and Border Patrol DID make a huge impact on local criminal activity here in El Paso. If your older than 40 and have lived here you would know this. Bars on people's windows were common, burglaries and auto theft were high, the Southern Pacific train near Sunland Park would get robbed in the 1990s . It was dangerous to walk or drive on Paisano St at night (a street on the American side) due to Mex. Gangs crossing the Rio Grande which was often a puddle to rob and commit assaults. My point being those here making comments that are from Mass, NY, Up North and those that are younger living here in EP wouldn't know that and are commenting out of Ignorance and falsehoods just as EP was called one of the most dangerous at one time. Its alot better because of that fencing, wall, barriers and enforcement because of it. But many here making comments wouldn't know that since your not from here or old enough to know. Miguel Terrazas. 6th generation El Paso Native, we were here before it was the U.S.
20
@Miguel Terrazas
According to FBI statistics, by 2006 the violent crime in El Paso had dropped to half of what it was in the nineties. But the barrier in question wasn't built until AFTER 2006. I don't have to be from El Paso to read numbers.
40
The 1990s saw most cities in the US struggling with crime. Few come close to having as many barred windows as NYC.
And all saw a marked decline in crime by 2000. There are lots of theories about this. The one thing we do know is that most cities didn’t build walls around themselves, yet crime went down there, too.
21
@Miguel Terrazas
Miguel, I will give you a point for your assertions.
Now here's mine.
I DID live in NYC until recently, and those of us that lived there KNEW DONALD TRUMP.
He stiffed contractors, used illegals then ( and NOW) on his properties, lied, stiffed unions, and was a notorius serial cheater. I guess these are great Evangelical traits celebrated in Texas?
He was a crook and a liar then, and is now. He ONLY cares about one thing: Donald Trump. And MAYBE the Trump "family".
PS: Will YOUR property be taken via eminent domain to construct this 4th century wall?
And one more thing: Do you own a calendar? It is NOT forty years ago. You obviously have computer access, Google crime stats, and the graphs that are all over showing border crossings way down.
30
Wouldn't it be nice if the Trump event tonight was attended by a lot of people who booed him? Reality would be refreshing and it would be interesting to watch him melt down in public. But I bet the attendees have been pretty carefully recruited, probably by limiting invitations to Republican political organizations.
26
@Eero
I don't believe that Trump has held one public event since becoming president that wasn't either to a military audience or considered a campaign event to which he could restrict access.
I doubt there has been another presidency who has similarly sought to avoid the general public.
26
@Eero
His events are not open to the general public, only supporters. Trump doesn't have the guts to speak in front of a general audience.
15
@Eero-The audiences at Trump rallies are heavily vetted so that only supporters get in. If anyone who disagrees with him speaks out, the protester is quickly (and not always gently) removed. Trump is afraid of dissent, and he can't deal with anyone who disagrees with him.
12
Trump is destroying the US southern border economy to make his point. That replicates what he has done to midwest farmers, the US lead in electronics and computing, and the middle class.
36
@cbindc
Its almost as if Trump were directed by a foreign power interested in hobbling America for generations to come....
6
The bottom line is that Trump and the republicans are going to use Eminent Domain to confiscate the private property of taxpaying Americans.
35
I wish Trump would study a bit of history. Isolationism / wall building historically marks the beginning of the end of strong economies / civilizations if you will.
China is a great example from the trade exploits of Zheng He to the movement towards isolationism and the switch from supporting / paying for trade to the building of China's Great Wall.
That began the end of China's world prominence. China continued to fester until, literally, the Nixon visit in the 1970's and the building of their economy / middle class through . . . expanded trade!
Mister Trump, it's time to get with the program and Tear Down That Wall.
21
@James Thurber
I suspect Rome wishes it had a stronger wall.
@James Thurber
Before WW II the French went to sleep thinking the Maginot Line. essentially a wall of forts, was sufficient to stop a German invasion. They quickly learned that the Nazis were smart enough to simply going around it.
1
@william r brockman The invasions were born of opportunity after Rome was already collapsing. To say Rome collapsed because of northern invaders ignores so many factors.
Congress needs to immediately pass a law mandating E-verify for all employers, no matter how large or small, and to institute heavy fines to any company that hires undocumented workers. US employers continue to hire illegal workers, and as long as they do the workers will keep coming. Even Trump, hypocrite that he is, has employed undocumented workers. He should be fined, and so should any other employer. If it hurts some industries, like agriculture or construction, so be it. People come to American for a better life. If no better life was possible, they wouldn't come. Stop the employment of the undocumented! It will be more effective, and cheaper, than Trump's wall.
11
@Ms. Pea
Won't happen. That will mean there's 10,000 illegal Irish immediately out of work.
@Ms. Pea Please let us know when you take a job as a construction laborer or farm worker. Enjoy.
4
I have family in the southwest, I have visited El Paso in the past and I have even crossed into Mexico through El Paso although that was decades ago. Even back then you did that during morning hours because El Paso was notorious at night and on weekends for being a modern Tombstone. Saying it got wild was an understatement and people denying it are lying. The wall helped decrease the lawlessness.
The problems got worse when people from Mexico stopped going back home. For decades people freely crossed back and forth staying for hours or days but eventually going home. Then you got people with the same mindset as Ocasio-Cortez. A belief that somehow being indigenous to one part of the Americas automatically gave you indigenous rights everywhere. This started the movement that people from south of the border automatically had a right to be in the United States and they refused to leave.
Not only is this racist but historically inaccurate. Indigenous people are not one monolithic group. There are various cultures and even centuries ago before the arrival of Europeans there were cultural and established boundaries between various groups and tribes. I guarantee you none of my North American ancestors could have just taken over Mayan territories and vice versa.
Boundaries and borders have always existed. Just like the ones that exist in Central and South America today and are strictly enforced.
5
@Hellen So now that El Paso is one of the safest cities in the US, you think we should spend billions of your and my tax dollars on more walls? Are you trying to fix a problem of 40 years ago that has already been fixed? If you want to fix cities with areas that are dangerous to walk at night, welcome to the USA. We have a large supply.
9
@Hellen I almost fell off my seat laughing. Perhaps your family was afraid of all the brown people running around at night, but it was not and has never been dangerous. Are there parts of the city you'd avoid? Definitely, but which city doesn't have that. When I lived there, it was very commonplace for young people to drive to downtown at night, cross the border for the vibrant nightlife in Mexico and head back. Perhaps you shouldn't comment unless you actually lived there.
4
@Nycitizen. I don't fear my own people? I have indigenous ancestry from North and South America which is why I know it is a complete myth that indigenous people never had boundaries or cultural differences. It is a myth and it is a racist concept.
It seems some of these people, including American politicians, are speaking for cartels paying them to keep open borders and other entry points. Trump is right on this issue and it is this issue that will see him reelected in 2020.
@Hellen If you think walls will stop cartels, then you underestimate human greed. Money will be paid to go over, under and through any wall, same as it ever has.
5
@Hellen Are you really saying the local residents and elected representatives quoted in the article as opposed to the new wall are paid by drug cartels to express those opinions? Please. You can disagree without labeling them as paid by the cartels. This is why so many consider a lot of Trump supporters as nationalist haters. And we do not want to finance that. So, I think it's more likely that, if this is the issue Trump runs on again, he'll lose. Plus, he has accomplished nothing positive, and filled his administration with crooks and incompetents.
4
@Russ. Yes I am flat out saying that. I guess you don't believe cartels control politicians South of the border.
Haters are those who don't care how illegal immigration has destroyed the quality of life for poor Americans. Prepare yourself for a shock, Trump is getting reelected.
Looking forward to news coverage showing Mr. O’Rourke having the larger crowd. Bigly.
25
And Beto's crowd will be El Paso locals, not the crazy Trump rally attendees who go to every rally no matter how far away, like bizarro Deadheads.
1
It sounds like the people of El Paso, as well as a good majority of the rest of the people living near the southern border oppose a wall or increased fencing. Will Trump listen to them and change his stance on the need for the wall?
Of course he won't. Trump has disputed the findings of our intelligence community and pretty much anyone else who disagrees with him. He doesn't want to listen to anyone or look of evidence of anything that contradicts his preconceived notions.
15
You mention the situation in Nogales and you use the term "barbed-wire" when it's actually "concertina-wire" that is strung up. Barbed-wire was designed to contain cattle whereas concertina-wire was designed to destroy human flesh.
22
As a license architect, I am puzzled by this demand for $5.7 billion, where are the cost breakdowns, where would this money go? Sadly, I suspect much of it would end up in the pockets of the T family and cohorts.
38
The thing Trump hates most is being made to look foolish. When he was mocked by President Obama at the White House Correspondents Dinner, he was livid. So, having promised some gullible folks that Mexico would pay for a wall, he looks like a carnival barker. Now, Democrats are the new demons who must pay. If there is no wall, blame Democrats. Yeah, that should work. This is all about distraction. His administration cannot hold up under the bright light of investigation or truth. That line about 'enemy of the people' ...we know who it is.
27
Get out there an protest loudly, get on the 24/7 news cycle.
6
Trump has managed to split the American public almost into warring camps over this single issue of border security.
Now, without some sort of compromise agreement coming from the Congress, it appears we will be right back where we started: a shutdown government, a president without a conscience using federal workers as pawns in his game, the loss of thousands and thousands of hours of productive time, and absolutely no way out of this mess.
For Trump, he thinks this wall is the hallmark of his presidency. No wall, no president. The truth is that he has no idea about how to make "a deal." Compromise is as foreign to him as Urdu is to me.
The truth of it is that he is not only unfit to be a president, he is at the bottom of the bottom, enriching himself and his bottom feeding cronies while a compliant senate majority leader lets him get away with virtually anything.
We are in a serious pickle.
19
Trump is a cancer to the nation and needs removal. IMPEACH.
I am 73 years old. The last time this country was so torn was Vietnam in the late '60's. We are losing our world leadership. It is not entirely Trump's fault, but he needs to be impeached.
Look at the presidential candidates lining up on the Democratic side. Many of them are on the far left whose only platform is the increase in social programs and that, in itself, is not the answer. They are not addressing how to pay for their plans.
Wake up America. Putin is smiling.
13
N.B.: On the subject of criminal activity and fraud, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton know whereof he speaks. The guy's under indictment on three counts of securities fraud.
Enough said.
17
What to do when the needs of fantasy meet an opposing reality? Make something up, and repeat it, then repeat it again. Propaganda 101
Who cares who or what it hurts? The dupe builds support among true believers, and the shill feels good enough when they cheer to give a telling smirk, then offer even more mental lemonade.
7
Trump is stirring up hate toward our Neighbor Mexico just to rally support from those that do not think. That work off their base emotions of ignorance.
And in the meantime he is destroying America with his agenda of protectionism.
This is a global economy and we need others as they need us .
14
Ahh, the fresh perspective of reality vs. the noxious propaganda of the Republicans. Thank you, EL Paso. I love the line that it's "sometimes boring here." What? No slavering Hispanic rapists? No Isis? No "bad, bad hombres"? No need for a boondoggle wall to block out the sunlight and friendly neighbors who have lived in peace for over a century or more? If Republicans help Trump shut down the government again over this lie, they might as well pack up and go home now.
10
In “Ulysses,” Stephen Dedalus says: “History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake.”
In 2019 it is Donald Trump that’s the nightmare - except anxiety about the fate of our country is giving me insomnia.
9
Interesting that Republicans and Democrats living at the border agree that Trump should not be speaking for them when it comes to a wall. Equally interesting that it hasn't crossed his mind or the mind of others who want a wall that they may not know what's best. Whatever happened to listening to what people say and evaluating the situation with their knowledge and understanding of things in mind?
23
Across the bridge from El Paso in Mexico is Ciudad Juarez the most dangerous city in the world for many years, almost 1/3 of the city is abandoned because of the drug and cartel violence. Any sober minded individual would secure the border with the most dangerous city in the world.
3
@DTrying to appeal to the common sense and logic of the Trump hating media target audience is futile. As anyone perusing these comments can clearly see.
The only thing more delusional and distorted than this article are the usual Trump deranged comments from the target audience of the entire Liberal MSM Fake News enterprise. Truly pathetic!
I notice you have no actual point(s) to make, you're simply here to insult those who have made points. But somehow this is not surprising.
El Paso voters went overwhelmingly for Clinton in 2016 and O'Rourke in 2018. Will any of them be able to slip through the sieve and attend Tweetler's rally?
4
Mayra Cabral is quoted in this article as saying that Trump is “simply nothing more than a racist”. That is so unfair. He is also misogynistic, ignorant, dishonest, and hate-filled, just to name a few of his many shortcomings.
62
What could be more cruel than a president who uses the deaths of others caused by immigrants as a selling point, a marketing message for a wall but ignores the deaths of gun victims by American citizens and does nothing to improve background checks, a wall, to people who shouldn't have guns from getting them.
Parkland 17 killed
Orlando 49 killed
Las Vegas 50 killed and 100's wounded
Newtown 21 killed (babies and adults)
and the list goes on.............
59
Here are the 10 most dangerous cities based on the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people (from a 2017 Wall St. Journal review of crime statistics)
Stockton, CA
Cleveland, OH
Rockford, IL
Milwaukee, WI
Little Rock, AK
Kansas City, MO
Memphis, TN
Baltimore, MD
Detroit, MI
St. Louis, MO.
Perhaps Trump should reconsider his travel plans for today.
87
@Jon Creamer
None of the cities on your list has a Hispanic sounding name. Trump likes El Paso because it is easier to associate it with brown (and manacing?) folks. His supporters prefer El Paso to Stockton, CA., as the poster city for crime.
4
Okay.......“I’d like to see a wall go up along the entire border,” said Joshua Ascencio, 21, a cavalry scout in the United States Army who has plans to become an agent with the Border Patrol when he leaves the military. Mr. Ascencio said he was looking forward to Mr. Trump’s rally.
Really spoken like someone who has all the wisdom in the world due to his years of experience!!! Will he also be proudly wearing a MAGA hat? Another fine member of the Trump Youth!
44
Mr. Ascencio wants to hear what Trump has to say about border security?
Geez Louise, dude, you don't have to go to a rally to hear that. Just google "Trump border wall" and review any of the existing tirades, from the comfort of your own home. I promise you, nothing will be different.
I would love it if Beto's crowd drowns out Trump's crowd from a mile away.
67
Why are your reporters telling LEGAL immigrants that Trump says they bring in crime more crime and then ask them questions.l I'd expect that tactic from CNN but now you too?
2
@Mark " I'd expect that tactic from CNN but now you too?"
Hard to believe anybody paying attention to the Liberal MSM's coverage of Trump since his election and not not deeply afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome would think there is any difference between CNN and the NYT.
Trump will learn nothing from visiting El Paso. He'll fly in, repeat his racist lies about Hispanics mostly bring drug dealers, gang members, and rapist to a group of his most adoring fans. He'll leave convinced that the people of El Paso love him and that he did a great job of convincing people that spending 25B on a medieval wall in a good idea. Reality and facts mean nothing to Trump and his supporters. They live in a bubble built from fear, hate, and lies. Trump is destroying the country and made me ashamed to be an American.
54
How about we build a big, beautiful wall around the White House instead? We could probably get Mexico to chip in.
38
@hdtvpete If we asked for help building an 80 ft tall, razor-wire and glass topped wall around Mar a Lago, with a single, one way entrance, I think the Mexicans, Canadians, British, French and Germans would all chip in, just as a start.
3
@hdtvpete
There is a wall, and in many rich communities filled with rich liberals who have walls, security in their "all white" enclaves. Hypocrites
@hdtvpete: We could probably get the whole world to pitch in - except maybe for Putin and MBS. Wall him off! Wall him off! Keep the hate inside with him and him alone.
1
Too bad Trump's deplorables do not possess the mental acuity or willingness to read articles such as this one. OMG, they might learn something. There are only two reasons for this staged trip to El Paso. The first is to stroke Trump's ego at yet another moronic theatrical rally and two, to con America yet again. I'm so glad Beto is having a counter rally nearby. I hope Beto draws more people than Trump's cult does.
25
@Phil M
Phil I have been to El Paso, have you? I have read the NYT for 30 years and continue to even though the reporting is a shell of its former self
Dear El Paso,
If you choose to allow illegal passage into your state please keep the undocumented at your house. I do not want anymore criminals, legal or illegal, violent or non-violent in Missouri.
Thank you
2
Figures. Studies have shown the further Republicans are from the border the more they want it.
24
@Cindy Don't know what kind of wall you think fixes ALL THAT.
3
@Cindy I'm sure, like every other state, Missouri has plenty of native born criminals.
4
El Paso - please boo at Donald Trump for the rest of us. Please.
50
The six thousand people who might attend Trump's El Paso staged "rally" represent less than one percent of the city's population. If Trump and his boys Miller and Bolton dared to step out of their capsule and mingle with the people on the streets perhaps they would experience a bit of the real world--oh never mind. There's a fascist agenda to be enforced.
56
All this falls on Trump's deaf ears. He isn't interested in reason or national security, only in his own self-gratification.
42
Trump is going to pretend that the notion of a wall along the whole border is anything anyone is still talking about, and the Texas Republican office holders are going to humor him, so that that potent symbol of cruelty, misanthropy and ignorance can be mobilized for yet another campaign season.
22
We should embrace our neighbor Mexico and help them make more jobs for their hard working people .
We send money everywhere and fight our close neighbor . Fussing about having babies here . When there are places in New York That specifically allow women with enough money ,china in particular, to birth there. ....so the rules are difficult for those with money .
10
@T H Don't forget the Russians - Florida has quite the birth industry going on with wealthy Russians coming to give birth in Florida. But, of course, Trump is Putin's puppet so we never hear about it. We are going to be taken over by Russia if we don't get him out of the WH.
9
If El Paso is not prima facie evidence that the President's border arguments are full of salsa, then nothing is. This is our opportunity to shut this puppy up for good. No money for the wall! No military on the border! Mr. Barela would do this country a great favor if he could convince more of his fellow party members with his personal experience and wisdom. He should start with Mr. Ascencio.
16
@Rusty Carr
Nah. Salsa is good. What his "arguments" are full of is not edible.
Why do the networks televise this garbage?
This is not a SOTU address. This is not an address to the American people on a new policy initiative or on an issue of great concern to our country, though Trump would have us believe that this is more dire than the Cuban Missle Crisis.
This is a campaign rally for which we the taxpayers pay for secret service and Air Force One.
How about Trump uses “his billions” to personally pay for all this.
This is a circus and the media is buying tickets.
58
They're a state so yes, the president does in fact speak for them.
Just because they're immigrants doesn't mean they can't read the constitution and understand how our system of government works.....
@There
"They're a state so yes, the president does in fact speak for them."
El Paso is a city, not a state, and not when Trump is lying and using the city and its citizens as a cudgel to bludgeon the legislature into submission about his stupid, wasteful fancy that serves nothing but his own ego. If there's anybody who needs to "read the Constitution" (notice: capitalized, like it's supposed to be . . .) and "understand how our system of government works," it's Trump. But because Trump is proud of his woeful willful ignorance, nobody is holding their breath for that at this point.
16
It sounds as though our esteemed leader is in a bit of a pickle. America seems to have found its voice now that the Dems have a foot hold in Congress and the people in El Paso are being heard.
Presidency by charade is being spoken to and it is a welcomed voice.
11
Just a gentle reminder that the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is under indictment for securities fraud. Birds of a feather.
29
As a US citizen President Trump speaks for me, build the wall SIr! It HAS shown to be effective.
As a fiscally Conservative, I see CLEARLY how it will save us TRILLIONS over decade.
Good fences make good neighbors
4
You're kidding, right?
24
@Tod L then lets start with the northern border hot Toddy,,unless there is a particular "reason" why you only have such strong "feelings" about our brown neighbors to the south .. welllllllll?
10
@Tod L : As another US citizen, I can tell you flat out, that you are in the minority over this wall business.
Unless you live in proximity to the Mexican border, do you have any irrefutable proof?
It may appear to work in San Diego; but El Paso wouldn't hesitate to take you on, on this issue.
And, as for saving trillions, as you claim, is this based on evidence, or your own conjecture (with or without using right-wing media outlets as your source)?
Consider yourself "gaslit" by YOUR President.
13
Trump had illegal workers at multiple properties for years. Increase the fines for businesses hiring people illegally. End birthright citizenship. Ask border states and cities what they really need to combat real problems they face. Multiple reports cite the bigger problem are people entering the country legally and overstaying visas therefore becoming illegal.
Prior presidents worked with experts and officials to solve real problems and don’t repeat lies over and over to brainwash their followers. Stop distracting from the real problems facing our country. We have a health insurance crisis, a drug crisis and we rank below many other industrialized countries in education. Our deficit is soaring. Work with Congress to pass sensible legislation and enforce the laws we have instead of manufacturing crises that will no doubt enrich those “loyal” to you and work on real problems.
24
@C WOlson "End birthright citizenship" No, let's not alter the constitution to remove the rights of some people born in the United States.
2
@C WOlson
Good point lets require E-Verify even with the wealthy and connected
2
Not to put it too bluntly, but this article does not take into account the demographics it states. 80% of the population is Hispanic, therefore most of El Paso will be anti-wall.
Personally, I have spent time in El Paso its not terrible, but it's not the safe haven mentioned in the article. A physical wall doesn't solve the problem, but a figurative wall might. Combining strategic fencing, immigration enforcement, and additional funding can combat many of the negatives to open borders. Locks only keep honest people out, but a good lock can deter the dishonest.
If people want to make an actual change in American culture they need to take time to understand one another. Listening and empathizing are important tools in communication. Many people are scared and lonely due in part to technology and rapid globalization. Affecting both parties on the political spectrum 'future shock' (Toffler) is a serious issue that is showcased in our current divisive nature.
Finally, the comments here are opinions that serve no function to the article itself. Pure anti-trump, with a focus on how people who support border security are dumb or in a cult. There is no civility in anonymity, and if one can't position a solution their opinion is muted.
Many also only talk about Mexico, but it is not always Mexicans that cross illegally. Several of the major South American countries' civilians cross into the U.S. for many differing reasons.
5
@Josh it is super safe here. Lived here all my life.
6
@Josh Do you think it is illogical for people to be so anti-Trump? I think any sane person would be.
3
America is at it's worst when our politicians. encourage fear. Trump has centered his Presidency around both fear and hate.
Since we have become so tribal, I feel the need to mention that I am 62 years old, 5th generation American, pale skinned, and for 50 years a Republican. False charges of racism have been thrown at people like me so often, many dismiss attacks on Trump as more of the same.
Strategic use of an extra barrier or two is fine. Everyone is for better "border security", but the truth is the border is about as secure as its going to be with the resources we already throw at it. And "security" is a misleading terms as illegal border crossings do little to make us insecure.
"The Wall" is not more border security. It is the truly racist assertion that something frightening in on the other side of the wall.
Both Trump and the Border Patrol Union have made comparisons to the wall in Game of Thrones. Mexicans are not killer ice zombies, but Trump wants us to think of them with the same fear.
47
The gaslighting of America by Trump continues to be successful.
There are much bigger issues we as a nation need to deal with, but all we talk about is Trump's wall.
Please stop Trump from controlling the topic of conversation.
Please give MORE coverage to infrastructure, healthcare, gun violence, opioids, climate change -- all the things that Trump neglects at our peril.
53
If only Trump could let go of his border wall obsession and fixate as stubbornly on something constructive for the country.
Transportation infrastructure is a no-brainer substitute. Action in this one area would let him claim success for:
- undertaking important projects desperately begging for attention
- creating jobs (whose specific purpose is to improve America)
- fostering true bi-partisan agreement in the Congress
The fact that he has no agenda beyond his ludicrous wall (except, of course, for dismantling every government agency with ill-chosen appointments), and that the wall means more to him than to any of even its most rabid supporters, reveals so much about the nature of Donald's shortcomings. He's not politically adept, he's not a good businessman, and he's certainly not, by any stretch, a leader.
44
And that spoken is of split tongue:
What is the likelihood of the reelection of Trump? NONE AT ALL. This very real and inevitable END to his messing up and around in the lives of the nation’s and world’s humanity the reality that he and Republicans that cannot stand him attempt to cover-up with blather of rigged polls and posturing. The propagandizing of Trump being a winner serves to two very separate interests: (1) Trump’s effort to stay afloat on his septic-sea of the turmoil he stirs bottom up, and (2) Republicans bent on trying to sway Democrats into nominating a conservative that will serve doing little and nothing that addresses deep interests and pressing concern of a vast majority of a totally fed-up American people.
The ploy is powered by the manipulative fake of poll results that contend a large majority of Republicans still support Trump when in fact the majority will in no way vote for him (and in numbers there are no large numbers of Republican in the nation), but fake and faking Trump loyalists are to serve in scaring Democrats to seek victory over needed change. And in the Democratic pool to be poisoned, fake and faking members go along with the ploy by contending that first and last their support goes to the candidate that can best defeat Trump in spite of such a candidate failing to be intent on working with and for them in rendering needed.
3
@Sam Osborne I tend to think that @realDonaldTrump, as an incumbent has a very good chance of being reelected.
The real problem is that there are so many contenders coming out of the woodwork, we may end up with a similar situation to the last election. I hope I'm wrong.
It's important to refute and dispel Trump's distorted views and statements, especially when coming from Republican leaders.
No doubt it's to much to expect any sort of realization on his part about how or why Texas border cities have become safe and vibrant. He won't, or can't, use or abide by facts to bring others around to his point of view.
Trump cannot unify. It's useless to reason with him and it's why he'll never build any support outside of his "base."
71
@SMKNC
Do you live here? Have you lived on any part of the border affected in a negative manner due to illegal immigration or lack of border security or walls? Have you been and seen the positive outcome of border barriers and walls here in the Southwest? I live here, I was born and raised here, they work.
I agree with Ms Cabral, let's talk about the true criminals to this country and democracy...white collar crime that lower wages for all american's and serves only the rich. The "wall" is nothing more than a distraction. I can't believe the media continues to give Trump a platform for these lies. Trump's only motivation is to serve himself and fulfill a promise to one of his large foreign donor's...Like Saudi Arabia...where the America people get stuck paying the bill (upward of $75 million) for a cheap fence. Like he said you can call it "peaches" as long as American taxpayers $$ flow to one of his foreign donors. White Collar Crime, before your very eyes...Wake Up America.
48
It's funny when you consider that on the campaign trail, Trump pushed the already-absurd proposition that only he was able to fix the problems facing the country, among the large field of Republican candidates.
Now it additionally appears that these problems are ones that only he can see.
Actually, I think when someone thinks that he's the only one that can fix problems that nobody else can actually see, it's typically therapy and drugs that fixes it. But if it takes a Special Counsel and a Democratic House instead, then so be it.
68
In the spring times during the mid 1980's to 1990's, I became familiar with Terlingua and El Paso TX as well as the Rio Grande river along the US-Mexican border. I'm from a small ski town in Colorado, and after working and skiing all winter, we headed straight down to the Big Bend in late March to warm up.
In Terlingua Ghost Town TX, we worked for the Rio Grande river rafting businesses. We were kind of poor ski bums, so working vacations were of great value. Through those years, my Colorado friends and I developed strong relationships with diverse spectrum of tourists and local people coming from both sides of the border along the Rio Grande.
Due to the relationships created during those years, I spent lots of time with new friends in El Paso TX and Las Cruces NM. I never felt threatened or afraid at any time in these border cities, which I visited from time to time over a span of more than ten years.
One more think, it would be one heckuva job to try stringing a wall over the Chisos Mountains, which are part of the Big Bend National Park.
Wisdom should instruct us with the knowledge that empires fall, when all the wrong people, make all the wrong decisions for all the the wrong reasons.
And, boy howdy, do all the wrong people have that covered, these days. Remain ever skeptical of all the rosy prognostications coming from the dark side. Just sayin...
129
@David
Terilingua a "ghost town" on the border is no El Paso. Although you visited friends here you didn't live near the line on Paisano street, Chihuahuita or South EP or even Sunland near EP. Saying you visited EP and felt safe is like me saying I visited friends in LA and it was nice, but my friends didn't live in South Central LA or Compton. Las Cruces? No where close to being on the borderline. Living here and and spending time with friends are completely different. Our family has been here generations. Since the 1980s crime has been reduced here not just because of the wall but also because of increased enforcement. If barriers dont assist in safety feel free to take your front door off its hinges during your summer months in Colorado and throw it away.
1
So, basically what Trump is spending 4 years doing, is campaigning for reelection.
His henchmen are busy dismantling the government, and trying to get us in a war, where war crimes won't be investigated.
Miller is trying to toss all brown people out of the country because he hates them.
I think that about sums it up.
219
@1 bite at a
Lowest unemployment rate
Highest Job growth
Lowest welfare rate
Lowest usage of food stamps
Lowest unemployment of "brown" people which is what you call us. And American of African decent.
Wages increasing
Tax cuts but are just crumbs to a low middle class latino right?
No major foreign terrorist attacks.
No more threats from North Korea
ISIS reduced to a shell of its former self
Trying to get us out of Afghanistan and Syria,
Fuel prices are stabilized at record lows. Average in El Paso, less than $2.
Dismantling the Gov by reducing its size and influence like that's a bad thing...but hey hes just been campaigning for the past 2 plus years right. Your so full of anger that your chosen person lost that you can't even see the many positives.
1
@1 bite at a
Lowest unemployment rate
Highest Job growth
Lowest welfare rate
Lowest usage of food stamps
Lowest unemployment of "brown" people which is what you call us. And American of African decent.
Wages increasing
Tax cuts - I got back an extra 1110. But those are just crumbs to a low middle class latino right?
No major foreign terrorist attacks.
No more threats from North Korea or Iran constantly screaming death to America.
ISIS reduced to a shell of its former self
Trying to get us out of Afghanistan and Syria, which Obama promised but failed to do.
Fuel prices are stabilized at record lows. Average in El Paso, less than $2.
Dismantling the Gov by reducing its size and influence like that's a bad thing...but hey hes just been campaigning for the past 2 plus years right. Your so full of hate that your chosen person lost that you can't even see the many positives.
@Miguel Try spending some time on fact checking. There are lots of sites available to you. Totally relying on FOX can narrow your understanding and credibility. Establishing balance in mind and heart leads to a more fulfilling life. Best wishes to you.
36
There are so many reasons, in great detail, why a "wall" will negatively affect so many things, too detailed to type in 1500 characters here. Crime? I am with the lady in the passage, let's talk more about the other people and their crimes.
There will not be improvements to the daily life of the border. People, places in nature, natural flow and people's private land, daily economy, macro economy, etc. would not be improved. Fine, you keep a few people out, but truthfully, they want in? They need in to get hope and help? They will find a way. (And we should figure out how to help and be collaborative about it with a balance and consideration.)
This is a base-stirrer, a campaign promise that's tangible and he's sinking those capped teeth into. The defensive, fear-based, gas-lighting victimhood president does not care about anyone but himself and his "numbers". Money, tv and ratings, polls and votes; it's a numbers thing for him.
(My reaction? I read Beto's page, and I sent him a little money and a note. Urging them on.) Read, find the people who might be intelligent and thoughtful in leadership, support them in time, energy and a little finance or in the ways you can. And Vote, people. Vote.
56
@Ellie Brown
Ellie from NC, you dont even live here. You have no clue how the increase in walls and enforcement has made this City as safe as it is. Beto? Do you have any clue of the scandals Francis has been involved in? Such as his attempted land grab from the poor tenants here in El Paso if the Segundo Barrio neighborhood for his billionaire father in law? Or how his families furniture store which he was a corporate member convicted and fined
$250,000 for felony tax evasion of $650,000. How his DUI conviction was reduced from a hit and run DUI to misd DUI witnessed by ambulance operators who got him to stop. His daddy former County Judge helped him with that one. Good thing he didn't drive the car into a river with his lady friend ( Ted Kennedy red) Funny how people like youcan make comments about El Paso but more than likely never actually lived here - especially prior to the 90s when it wasn't as safe. Those that run their mouths about how it was always the safest City here probably grew up where Beto lived in a great part of town with money overlooking EP or areless tha 40 years old a didn't experience it when it wasn't nearly as safe as it is now. Great place to live now thanks to more walls, fences, and border patrol agents.
@Miguel Never lived in El Paso, but have lived in 4 other counties in Texas, and I own property -today- in two others. Don't judge. I am sorry for your sadness, your pain and your fear. God Bless you. You don't know me and I don't know you, and that's just fine. Have a great week.
The rally in El Paso will serve as a revealing example of the cult of Trump, one member of which is described in this article. Here we will see residents of El Paso wildly cheering a litany of misrepresentations of reality if not outright lies, in spite of the contradictions to these lies that they see and experience in their day to day lives in their city. Where are the mobs? Where are the savage caravans? Where are the murderers and rapists? They're not there. There's just your neighbor, who might just be missing a document or two, buying a jug of milk for her kids and going home to a house she and her husband have labored long and hard to afford--and paying taxes and contributing to their local economy all the while.
86
@Dargent It cost the taxpayer a lot, to fly Trump (and his handlers) to play golf, and to rallies. Sad!
“It makes a difference when you see it with your own eyes.”
But not to he,
to whom it can only be,
what he wants to see...
The reality on the ground is immaterial to Der Donald, he's married to his bullified 'Wall Speech' and he'll be giving it before his faithful rally supporters...they will cheer and he will bask in its glow.
How 'cowboy forceful' are Texas Republicans willing to get to ensure their views and perceptions are impressed upon the president and aren't just rolled over by Trump's story line?
21
The real emergency is in Washington, D.C. He doesn't belong there and another branch supports him.
The rest is a distraction from the indictments headed his way.
49
Mr.Trump is the master of misdirection!He refuses to face the problems the country faces and instead harps on his theme of malevolent immigrants.At the end of today when he has his rally, 96 Americans will have died from gun violence and another 130 will have died from an opioid overdose.The guns and pills are not all coming from the border, not by a long shot.Pills are made here -guns are manufactured and sold here. Trump is not trying to protect America, he is trying to appeal to his base.
91
As a real estate developer and now president this has been Trump's shtick forever. Promise something - A wall that Mexico will pay for - and then deliver only part of the promise in a way people forget the original promise and are thrilled to get what they weren't promised - and they pay!
Whether others pay for the shtick or he declares bankruptcy either way he doesn't pay.
And the people happy to pay are those in Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Minnesota, North Dakota, and other states hundreds and a thousand miles from the border while those who live on the border wonder what the heck he is talking about.
The problem is that his wall doesn't address the problem that he has stated except it the simplest of terms.
59
Trumps takes political theater on the road. El Paso is his prop. America First loyalists give shoutouts to their cheer leader. The script is old. It's tired. And yet, the show goes on.
Let's consider the historical context. The United States of Mexico was larger than the USA until we annexed New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming after signing the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to end the Mexican American War in 1848. Texas had already gained its own independence in 1836 by force of arms. Spanish speaking residents of those territories did not immigrate to the the US.
Does "might make right"? Not always.
30
There's only one possible reason for Trump's insistence on this wall. It has nothing to do with security. He's going to make money from it.
62
It's wonderful to see support here for American business organizations.
While it would be tough to believe the Borderplex Alliance, as with any chamber of commerce entity, would do anything to negate its health, it hardly speaks for El Paso.
Do just a light canvass of the BA's features: they're happy with the new trade agreement President Trump forged, and they routinely point to why secured points of entry are what foster the health of the region's business. Not open borders, mind you.
1
@JBC
You'll note the 'clever' trick of translating any disagreement into "open borders" as in if you aren't with us you are for open borders. 'Open borders' is just another right-wing marketing term like 'identity politics', 'trickle-down', or 'political correctness'.
19
@Marie
Given that this entire piece was focused on border control it's hardly antagonistic to make comments about it and explore it's validity and nuances.
But then, the smug and dismissive stock in trade of the left typically converts any right-wing comment to fit their hateful agendas. And if it doesn't fit an existing agenda, they'll make one up.
This reminds me of hen Trump's said "I was elected to represent the people of Pittsburgh not Paris", even though Hillary won Pitt by 3-1.
79
Cheers to the mayor and others in El Paso for holding Trump and the White House to account for their lies and fear mongering. Instead of learning from El Paso of its successful border relations and management, which propels the economy and reduces crime, Trump will fly in and out with his bluster and lies, denigrating a community and immigrants. At taxpayer expense. What a travesty. I hope the voices of El Paso can rise above. I hear you, and I thank you for your efforts.
547
@Louise Cheers to you, Louise!
Well stated. When will people realize all these supposed visits by Trump are nothing more than campaigning by him, at our(taxpayer's) expense? The man is a master of one thing. Moving money for what he wants and needs. Not for the good of the people of the country, just for Don, the Con, Trump.Who is paying for the air and security expenses for Trump and entourage? Bet it isn't Trump election 2020 campaign Committee.
148
@Louise
In my comment, I referred to the mayor speaking out - I learned a lot from Mayor Dee Margo’s opinion piece:
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2019/02/10/el-paso-mayor-dee-margo-trump-state-union-immigration-wall-column/2811248002/
6
@Louise--If the mayor and citizens don't want Trump to hold a rally in their community, then why is he? Is he allowed to just go into any city he wants, whether he's wanted there or not? Don't cities have any right to refuse? I've always read that presidential visits cost local communities a lot of money, plus what if they just don't want him there? It seems that the mayor should have some say in the matter.
20
It sounds like the residents of the El Paso area have elected some reasonable, intelligent Republicans.
Too bad the rest of the country hasn't.
298
Too bad there aren't enough to go around.
11
@Fred
These Republicans are seeing with their own eyes the way that immigrants are propelling the local economy, something very important to all of us but particularly Republicans. It is a microcosm of what has been happening in our country since its inception. Immigration has always fueled the growth of the American economy. The complaint that they are taking jobs from Americans is based more on bigotry than fact. Turn off immigration and see what happens to our economy…. it won’t be pretty.
6
@Fred
Let’s be honest, Barela, may be a Republican, but he’s also Hispanic, born in Mexico. This is tribal politics, and most Mexicans would perfer an open border, it’s that simple. He’s placating his base, who are Mexican immigrants, who live and vote in El Paso. It’s not, that some Republicans suddenly grew a heart. Republican dogma actually appeals to most Hispanics who are religious conservatives, just look at Florida.
1
This article sets out my number 1 objection to spending on a wall - it will not improve border security.
Yet Trump and his shills claim that anyone who doesn't want a sea-to-sea wall must want open borders.
There's a pattern to most 'news' that's come out of the Republican 'leadership' in the last few years:
1. Make a statement that's completely false but do it with a straight face and pause for effect.
2. Follow up with some draconian change or cut to a policy or service that has been established for years and was the result of bipartisan debate.
I can only conclude that Trump and his minions are actually trying to tear down the USA and they don't care as long as their donors get paid off.
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@Ted Morton- Ted, Thank you, thank you thank you. For decades I have been trying to put together a few sentences that you encapsulated in number 1. In my face to face personal experience with this, that "pause?" That pause and straight face? Behind that straight face and pause is a smirk, and they are looking to see if I bought their ridiculous statement. No, I did not buy it, so their number 2 is #2, if you know what I mean.
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@Ted Morton There is no sea to sea wall planned! And I don't understand why no one makes that point. Even if they gave him every penny he requests, there would still be close to 1000 miles of unprotected border! There's approximately 750 miles of (several types of structures) border protection presently in place. Mr. Trump is asking for about another 250 miles give or take. From the Pacific to the Gulf there is a border with Mexico 1954 miles in length. Makes me wonder "How much safer would we be"?
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