The Ripon Forum

Volume 53, No. 1

February 2019

Straight Talk from El Paso on Border Security & Immigration Reform

By on February 19, 2019

by DEE MARGO

Today’s political environment is toxic. Whereas there should be proper decorum via “adult” behavior, we have two parties clamoring over one another claiming victories over rhetoric instead of results. As children, we are taught there is a “Golden Rule” as to how to treat people, and we seem to have forgotten that important lesson.

The most recent showdown resulted in a government closure that lasted for several weeks. After the dust cleared, media and political pundits on both sides of the aisle jumped to claim victory for their party. But at the end of the day there were no winners. In the wake of the shutdown, families are still recovering from being unable to pay their bills, and no compromise was struck on border security.

There are countless issues our country needs to address, but most of them will be used as political hot-potatoes with the purpose of making the other party lose seats in 2020. While this is the nature of the beast of politics, I implore our legislators to break the cycle and take on the issues that are important to all Americans: immigration reform, border security, and enhancing our economy.

115,000 jobs in El Paso and 559,000 jobs in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico depend on our cross border commerce. Any rhetoric implying otherwise is false and should immediately be retracted.

As Mayor of El Paso, Texas, the largest U.S. city on the Mexican Border, one of our legislative priorities is immigration reform and defining border security once and for all. El Paso and Juarez, Mexico have over 400 years of history that have seamlessly blended U.S. and Mexican traditions and culture. Despite our experience, border communities like El Paso are vilified rather than consulted on immigration policy reforms.

Congress has long postponed pursuing legislation on the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrival program, or “DACA.” “Dreamers,” or immigrants who were brought here as children and have served in the U.S. military, should be granted citizenship automatically. Others who have not served should be given the option of a Green Card or path to citizenship. These immigrants have heavily contributed to the economy, history, and culture of our nation. It is not feasible nor appropriate to pursue policies attempting to deport “Dreamers.”

The other 12 million undocumented immigrants within the United States should be vetted as to character or criminal background checks and given a Green Card. Those individuals with a criminal background should be deported. For those who focus on the illegality of these immigrants, I simply say the ‘egg’ is broken! We are at our best when we welcome those with different backgrounds and cultures into our community.

Mexico is Texas’ largest trading partner, and instituting policy that will detrimentally affect that trade is unacceptable.

True immigration reform will require leadership and fortitude to pass. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security must set clear expectations and define “border security” prior to any discussion. My hope is that El Paso is invited to the table and asked about the impact proposed policies will have on a true border community.

The commerce that travels daily across El Paso’s ports of entry is pivotal to the economic success of El Paso, Texas and the United States. El Paso’s unique geographic location allows us to tap into an international workforce and trading opportunities. 115,000 jobs in El Paso and 559,000 jobs in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico depend on our cross border commerce. Any rhetoric implying otherwise is false and should immediately be retracted. Mexico is Texas’ largest trading partner, and instituting policy that will detrimentally affect that trade is unacceptable.

It is time for Washington D.C. to put the American people before partisan politics. It is what we do in El Paso, and that is one of many reasons we continue to be one of the safest cities in the United States.

Dee Margo serves as the 54th Mayor of El Paso, Texas.

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