AP News, May 13th, 2007
A top Border Patrol official told Rio Grande Valley leaders and residents Saturday that the agency erred in secretly drawing a map of planned border fencing and would be more forthcoming about the plans.
"We did not do a very good job out the gate of sharing information," said Ron Colburn, deputy chief of the U.S. Border Patrol. "We will be absolutely transparent with all information short of classified intelligence."
Colburn was a panelist at a meeting organized by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who has pledged to hold Department of Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff to a promise to consult with border leaders before erecting a fence on the Texas-Mexico border.
Local mayors were dismayed last month to learn of a map showing 153 miles of fencing in Texas, part of a plan to erect 370 miles by the end of 2008. They organized a trip to Austin to try to get state support against a plan they say will cut off landowners and endangered wildlife from the river, ruin flood-control systems and send the wrong message to Texas' biggest trading partner.
Congress has authorized about 700 miles of fencing along the border.
After Cornyn and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said Chertoff appeared to have reneged on his promise to communicate, the Department of Homeland Security said the map was preliminary and the government would work with local officials.
"One thing is for sure, the federal government is not going to dictate to South Texas," Cornyn said. "This is the beginning of the conversation, not the end."
None of mayors or residents at the meeting spoke in support of the fence, though all said they wanted a secure border.
Hidalgo Mayor John David Franz said the fencing is a waste of money. State Sen. Eddie Lucio said hiring more agents and clearing the thick brush along the river might be a better solution.
"Don't order these guys to build fences until you know that it's going to be a solution," Franz said, referring to the Border Patrol.
Colburn said the Border Patrol recognized a fence alone wouldn't solve the problem and was working on a multifaceted approach including sensors, air support, radar, communications and manpower.
