Plans to expand the Texan portion of the United States border fence with Mexico have suffered a setback this week after a campaign fought by El Paso residents to block the government’s proposal was upheld in court.
The campaign, lead by a local activist and backed by citizens from the across the city, focused chiefly on the cultural and environmental impact that an extended wall of steel and concrete would bring.
“Over the years we’ve seen the urban sprawl steadily eat away at our beautiful barren desert. All we are asking is to preserve the little that is left of this desolate wilderness for our children and grandchildren to enjoy,” explains the campaign’s leading activist, who wishes to remain anonymous.
“What use will there be for this much loved wasteland if there is a huge fence stopping us freely wandering across- I mean around, and taking great pleasure from everything our arid, exposed terrain has to offer?”
The initiative behind the proposed fence regards stemming the illegal passage of migrants from Mexico into the United States. Frequently used as a means of smuggling people and illicit substances such as cocaine, chocolate, sombreros and unsold copies of Shakira’s 2014 album out of Central and South America, the international border between the two nations has gradually become one of the most heavily monitored in the world.
But despite the government’s best efforts to enforce the continued investment of border security, the costly $10 Billion proposed extension appears to many to be extraordinary poor value for money for what is essentially just a fence.
“To be quite frank, considering the budget for the project, the designs that have been submitted are of an unacceptable standard. It’s the design that has been the main let down for me,” says shady night club tycoon Larry Schmidt.
“And of course we want to keep the cocaine- err- out of our great nation. We don’t want cocaine here, not in my clubs, there’s no cocaine in my clubs. But ten billion bucks? For this shoddy looking heap of junk? Not worth it. No, we’ll just have to put up with the cheap labor- I mean illegal immigrants- until they come up with something else.”
The government has begun reconsidering its options with some suggesting the use of closer diplomatic relations with Mexico to solve the border security issue, although most Americans already consider this idea to be beyond the realm of possibility.
