Filemon Vela: “I thank Mr. O'Rourke for putting together this Special Order. Today, I rise in opposition to provisions which condition…”

“I thank Mr. O'Rourke for putting together this Special Order. Today, I rise in opposition to provisions which condition a pathway to citizenship on the construction of additional border fence. Historically, our country has criticized the construction of barriers of all kinds. For instance, in 1987, President Reagan stood at the Brandenburg Gate near the Berlin Wall and said, Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall. Two years later, the wall was demolished, ushering in a new era of economic harmony. As someone who lives on the border in Brownsville, Texas, I can state with certainty the argument that construction of additional border fence will stem the flow of undocumented immigration and increase border security is flawed, for many reasons. First, erecting some more border fence drives a wedge between border communities which are culturally united. Many who live on the U.S. side of the southern border have family and friends who live on the Mexican side and vice versa. The current border fence has come to symbolize divisiveness and serves as a daily reminder of a flawed immigration system. For this reason, the residents on both sides of the border oppose the border fence. Second, the construction of additional border fence will damage already fragile wildlife and natural resources. Bobcats, coyotes, owls, lizards, snakes, and raccoons all rely on habitat on both sides of the border. Additional fencing will adversely impact these and other animal habitat.…”