Senator Listens To Border Fence Concerns

Many disagree with plans

BROWNSVILLE - A top border patrol official says a mistake was made when a secret map to build a fence along the US-Mexico border was drawn.

That was part of the discussion at today's meeting in Brownsville. The map was released last month. It showed part of a plan to build 370 miles of fencing by the end of 2008. But border leaders had promised to consult communities before a fence is built.

Many people attended today's town hall meeting with Senator Cornyn and Border Patrol Chief Colburn. More than a dozen people took their place at the podium to address the two.

Almost all of them disagreed with building a border fence. Their reasons varied.

Some believe it's too expensive. Others say it won't solve the illegal immigration problem. Still more are concerned about the possible economic and environmental impact.

The senator says the topic is still wide open for discussion.

He says, "I think the bottom line is there are no plans, except to consult the individual counsel and to collaborate with local property owners before anything irreversible is done with regard to border security."

Cornyn admits a border fence would not solve the immigration problem. He says we still need to double the size of the Border Patrol.

The meeting was just the first of several town hall meetings to be held in coming months.