Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) on Thursday requested information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan, citing concerns from constituents regarding the continued presence and pending removal of concertina wire along the border.
With border wall funding in peril for President Donald Trump, Congressman Gonzalez is concerned about the orderly and complete removal of concertina wire, which presents a threat to wildlife and people living in South Texas and on the Southern border of the United States. In a recent letter to Commissioner McAleenan, Congressman Gonzalez requested answers about where the wire was placed, and the plan for removing it.
“The residents of the Rio Grande Valley deserve answers to these questions and for the federal government to be responsible in their doings,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “We have learned that the federal government has a poor record of cleaning up construction sites, and when the military is also involved, orders need to be clear and thorough, always keeping in mind the good stewardship of federal resources.”
Congressman Gonzalez has repeatedly opposed the militarization of the border, and the border wall. Some of his most recent work culminated in an official applewebdata://B2360E35-2382-4523-9905-E65304474BA3/comment on the border wall.
Below is the letter in full:
December 19, 2018
The Honorable Kevin K. McAleenan
Commissioner
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20229
Commissioner McAleenan,
I write today to express serious concerns that I share with my constituents about the militarization of our border, and the deployment of concertina wire. On behalf of our local leaders, who have already expressed their concerns to the agents and leadership on the ground, I request that your agency take personal responsibility for ensuring complete removal of this dangerous wire.
The deployment of this wire, as well as the militarization of the border is having a palpable effect on U.S.-Mexico relations and the daily lives of many who live in border communities like mine. We have U.S. Citizens who work in Mexico, Mexican citizens who work in the U.S., and relationships between companies on both sides of the border that are suffering due to the presence of U.S. troops, concertina wire, and other elements associated with armed conflict. My constituents and I understand that wire is being removed in certain areas, and there are plans to remove more. As such, I am requesting further information about these plans and ask that you please respond to my questions below about this process with specificity.
- Where was concertina wire deployed in Texas? Your response may include a map showing the location, or written statements providing reasonable information showing the same.
- How much of the wire was permanently affixed to other border deterrent measures, and where?
- When can we expect the wire you identified in response 1 and 2 to be removed?
- Have you had reports of injuries to U.S. Citizens because of the wire?
- Have you had reports of wildlife getting caught in the wire?
- If you are not able to provide a response to 4 or 5 above, why not?
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Fred Castro, Legislative Counsel, at mailto:fred.castro@mail.house.gov, or via phone at (202) 225-2531.
Regards,
Vicente Gonzalez
Member of Congress
