This topic contains 11 replies, has 8 voices, and was last updated by Ann Edmondson 9 years ago.
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Border Security
Started by Timothy Matthew Miller
From my understanding, our great state has a very large surplus. Why don’t we use that surplus to do one of two things: build a COMPLETE fence or form a Texas Border Security Force and have agents literally spread out all along the border. I personally would like a combination of the two but either way hire veterans because they are already trained in weapons handling and self control.
You will need to login to join the discussion.11RepliesMC Lambeth, 10 years ago
Hi Mr. Miller,
To clarify, are you referring to the Rainy Day Fund?
US Customs and Border Patrol currently has a veterans outreach program: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/veterans_outreach/
What would you want to see improved from a state level?Thanks for your time!
MC Lambeth
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottBret Berglund, 10 years ago
$450 is a lot of money, but this great state can do better for less. I believe in self governing and if more do that than we would not have such a big federal government. Self governing would be the folks that own the property that the illegals are using to cross on should have more power. The policies we have now are not being enforced. This puts the illegal back on our streets after we spent a lot of money with red tape (detained) or across the boarder to try again. Stricter force would and should be used. It won’t take long for them to realize that its not safe to cross illegally. If my property was being used for drug mules, I would take them down and would want my sheriff and state to back me.
Timothy Matthew Miller, 10 years ago
Ms. Lambeth,
I apologize for not responding sooner, I have been very busy with my college classes. To answer your question, I am not sure if it is the Rainy Day Fund or not. I may need to go find the article again but I believe it said we had a $9 billion surplus for the state. Now while I do believe that we need a Rainy Day Fund, my thoughts are that we built that much up before and we can do it again. Texas must lead the country in border safety. I am by no means the one to come to on politics and how things are being done or need to be done. I don’t know how we built up a surplus nor how easy/hard it would be to build back up but it was an idea that I think should be considered.
As far as the Veterans outreach program I believe that the federal government has already proven that they can not handle the job of securing the border. They, both sides, have been saying something about it but has nothing to show for it more than words. I really would like to see a Texas owned and operated security force for the border and hire exclusively veterans with an Honorable Discharge. I personally, if my wife could get a teaching job near the border, would love to be a part of that force, being a Marine myself. This force could also serve as the “standing state militia” that is our right via the Constitution. The “National Guard” is not our militia because it is run by the federal government, this entity must be separate from the federal government and the Governor and Attorney General should be the ones they answer to in order to maintain our security.
I hope that this makes sense and seems like a reasonable idea.
Timothy Matthew Miller, 10 years ago
I also forgot to post that I agree with Mr. Berglund and his comments.
Ramiro Rodriguez, 10 years ago
I agree with Mr. Miller about creating a force that would belong to TX and would be under the direction of the Governor and AG. I am not sure the idea of stricter force resting on the individual citizen is a good idea. For example, I am very close to the border, and although there is a lot of drug and human trafficking thugs, there are also many people that are just looking for a better life for their families. In some cases the immigration process can take years, as in 3-10 years. When people have families that depend on them and they can’t find work in Mexico, out of necessity, they choose to try to cross illegally. The individual citizen is unable to determine whether a person in their property is running drugs or simply crossing looking for work to support their family. Don’t get me wrong, in both cases the individuals are breaking the law and we need to protect the jobs of those of us that are US citizens or here legally as well as protecting our state economy. All I am saying is that a citizen with the authority to shoot at someone in their property can turn into murder of people simply looking for work.
With that said, I believe there should be increased border security in the form of either more agents or a fence or other means. In my area, our border patrol agents catch a great deal of illegals, but there are still others that make it through. I think an investment in surveillance drones along the border may allow the current agents to “patrol” the border and focus their manpower and resources in a more targeted manner.
MC Lambeth, 10 years ago
Thank you, gentlemen!
Greg Abbott’s Securing Texans Plan recommends a $300 million increase in spending for border security, which includes the hiring of 500 new troopers along the border. How would you recommend that the Texas Department of Public Safety reach out/advertise those openings to veterans?
MC Lambeth
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMilton Richards, 10 years ago
What about using the Texas State Guard in some way? I understand it is separate from the Texas National Guard and not under control of the Feds.
Timothy Matthew Miller, 10 years ago
I recently found out that the Texas State Guard basically is the state militia. It’s standards of becoming a part of it is much like the regular military does. This makes it hard for some veterans who has injuries that prevent them from joining. I do not have nearly as bad of injuries as most veterans, but it’s enough to prevent entry.
As far as getting the word out to veterans, the VA Regional center in Waco should be able to give the names and addresses of veterans in Texas. Not sure but I see no reason to release that information to the Govenor.
Tim Miller
Angela Harenza, 10 years ago
My opinion is that throwing money at a fence is not going to stop anyone from driving over from where they crossed in N. Mexico, Arizona or California. Not to mention the apparently abundant tunnels being found routinely. I suggest:
1. Hold employers responsible and avidly enforce the laws already on the books barring them from hiring illegal aliens. All employers should get routine inspections of the “show me their green cards” variety. And FINED accordingly as warranted.
2. Prosecute and FINE drug users. Incarcerating them just costs us the money of housing and guarding them. Let them pay HUGE fines for every infraction of the laws their drug mules are breaking. It is a supply and demand business. Drying up the demand WILL impact the supply.
3. Step up patrols giving them the same authority as police.
4. I don’t mean put Texans out of work. But, the most secure method of really closing our borders is to SEND JOBS TO MEXICO. We already outsource thousands of jobs to India, Taiwan, China, Pakistan and elsewhere. If we move THOSE jobs to Mexico we would be pro-actively securing our own border by relieving a big majority of why they come here in the first place. There would be less language barriers, less distance to travel for oversight purposes, import and export of goods necessary to the production as applicable and proximity to the Texas based HQ of the parent companies. (I’ve suggested this last one elsewhere here but believe it belongs in this conversation too.) While we all talk about drug cartels and smugglers the by far vast majority of aliens come here to earn money… not deal drugs.Stanley McCrary, 9 years ago
Well I am re-enlisting into the TXSG and i want to go to the border. What is the out look on the situation any one got an answer.
Ann Edmondson, 9 years ago
I have heard over a year now that Governor Abbott would secure our border when elected. Well he has been in office now for nearly five months. All I have seen is petition after petition to secure the borders. Governor Abbott, let me ask you this — did we (the Texas people) who put you in office make a mistake. You know it can be remedied very easily at the next election! It is time to quit talking and take action!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
