Arizona Border Town Condemns Feds for Unwanted, 'Inhuman' Razor Wire

"We are used to seeing the federal government make decisions about our surroundings," one resident said.

Bob Torrez/ZUMA Press/Newscom

An Arizona border city has officially condemned the federal government's unwanted implementation of razor wire on the border fence separating the town from Mexico.

According to the resolution unanimously passed yesterday by the seven members of the Nogales, Arizona, City Council, "placing coiled concertina wire strands on the ground is typically only found in a war, battlefield, or prison setting, and not in an urban setting." Such wire, in addition to generally being banned by the city code, is "designed to inflict serious bodily injury or death," the resolution claims. Putting it "in the immediate proximity" of Nogales residents is "inhuman." As a result, Nogales is telling the federal government to immediately remove the razor wire that's currently within its city limits.

The wire started going up in November, after President Donald Trump sent troops to the border to aid Customs and Border Protection (CPB) agents. Sending the military to secure the border with razor wire didn't make a whole lot of sense at the time, as Reason's Eric Boehm explained.

That apparently didn't stop the military from putting up even more razor wire in Nogales on Saturday. Photos published by Nogales International and other outlets show that in some areas, there are now as many as six rows of wire covering the border fence:

The Nogales City Council unanimously approves Mayor Garino's resolution to tell the federal government to take down the razor wire. Catch our story tonight at 10. #News4Tucson pic.twitter.com/QEsXWYKXQY

— Eric Fink (@EricMillerFink) February 7, 2019

Some locals were not pleased. "I don't know what to say, I don't think it's good," José Corralez, a 54-year-old taxi driver, told Nogales International. "In Nogales we are used to seeing the federal government make decisions about our surroundings," added Evan Kory, whose family owns several stores in the area, to the Arizona Daily Star. "But the razor wire was way more aggressive than anything we had seen, which scared me. It felt like it was out of our hands as a border community. You feel powerless, like your voices aren't heard," Kory said.

Yesenea Leal, who owns a store right next to the fence, suggested the wire isn't even working. "It's all the same," she told Nogales International. "They're going to jump," Leal added , showing the outlet a photo of a carpet that someone had thrown over the border fence to avoid the wire.

"This is overkill," Nogales Mayor Arturo Garino told the Washington Post, suggesting that the fence itself should be enough. "It's way over the top."

Garino has perhaps been the town's most outspoken advocate against the razor wire. "Aesthetically pleasing—it's not. It's very bad. It's not good for business, it's not good for what we're trying to create, a business-friendly community here in Nogales," he explained to the Associated Press.

Garino met with three CBP agents yesterday to discuss the matter. He claims they defended the razor wire by referencing the "rapists, murderers and drug dealers" who are supposedly trying to cross the border. "But that was strange, because the police chief, assistant chief and deputy city manager were there, and we don't know of those things happening," Garino told the Post. "I don't know where they're getting their stats."

So why the extra wire? CBP said in a statement to the AP that an unidentified party requested "additional support in high-risk urban areas commonly exploited by criminal smuggling organizations."

Councilman Marcelino Varona, Jr. has a different theory. The wire was installed "just to make a point at our expense," he said at the city council meeting yesterday, according to Nogales International.

Garino, meanwhile, claims that of the feds don't comply with the resolution, the city might file a lawsuit, reported the AP.

Comments

[Crusty Juggler]

So why the extra wire? CBP said in a statement to the AP that an unidentified party requested “additional support in high-risk urban areas commonly exploited by criminal smuggling organizations.”

Oh transparency.

[Crusty Juggler]

Garino met with three CBP agents yesterday to discuss the matter. He claims they defended the razor wire by referencing the “rapists, murderers and drug dealers” who are supposedly trying to cross the border. “But that was strange, because the police chief, assistant chief and deputy city manager were there, and we don’t know of those things happening,” Garino told the Post. “I don’t know where they’re getting their stats.”

It should be pretty easy to figure out if in fact there are a lot of rapes and murders going on.

[mad.casual]

It should be pretty easy to figure out if in fact there are a lot of rapes and murders going on.

Where there is razor wire, the police chief, assistant chief, and deputy city manager don’t know of these things happening. QED.

[Don R]

Not really. People who cross the border illegally don’t necessarily commit crimes where they cross. My son was killed by an illegal alien in San Francisco. He was from Honduras and crossed somewhere between California and Texas.

In California alone, there are over 40,000 illegal aliens in jail and prisons. The vast majority of the over 200,000 crimes they were convicted of (not committed) did not happen along the border. (The source of these numbers are SCAAP and the 2018 GAO report on Criminal Alien Crime)

[Sigivald]

That resolution is dumb, says dumb things, and you are – and I kinda hate to say this, but I don’t see any options – dumb for uncritically repeating it. (Maybe just lazy? I can compromise on lazy.)

Oppose border measures like razor wire on their merits, or don’t, that’s fine.

But “inhuman” to “expose” the residents of Nogales to it?

It’s farkin’ sharp wires on the ground, not clouds of nerve gas, guys.

It just sits there. The only “exposure” you have is “seeing it”.

None of those words mean what they claim they mean.

[Chipper Morning Wood]

Why are you bitching about this article? The article is just sitting there. It’s not like there is nerve gas coming out of your monitor. You are dumb and are saying dumb things.

[Mr. Flanders]

Why even have conversations at all?

[Chipper Morning Wood]

Why am I responding to you?

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

I wonder whether the bigots who applaud this installation would object if neighbors placed such barriers along their property lines.

A few of them, I suppose, actually are disaffected and dumb enough not to mind.

[Nardz]

Blaaaaaah

[retiredfire]

Plenty of property lines are protected with such barriers, including the razor wire.
Mostly in the types of neighborhoods that Artie thinks are examples of the America moving in the right direction.

[BILKER]

see barbra streisands’ beach house and pelosis’ estate.

[Don R]

As a man of the cloth, I would expect you to understand that laws must be followed. After all the laws/rules of the church are pretty rigid.

If the installation of the razor wire is necessary to keep illegal aliens out of this country than I applaud it and you can call me and anyone else a bigot or anything you like but that does not make it so. Show some proof. But again you’re entire existence is based on a belief with no proof.

While most of the people who cross illegally will not kill someone how many deaths are acceptable?

[BILKER]

how many deaths are acceptable? see gun control debates. it’s all right for criminals to resort to gun violence while committing a crime but not acceptable to use the same device for protection. socialist/progressive demonazi people control in action.

[Dillinger]

>>>You feel powerless, like your voices aren’t heard,” Kory said.

plenty of space to whine on the other side of the fence, Kory

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Speaking of whining, Dillinger, I support your right to whine about all of the liberal-libertarian progress of the past half-century that has won the culture war, crushed right-wing aspirations, and caused guys like you to obey the preferences of guys like me every day.

Whimper all you want, but you will comply with your betters’ preferences. Thank you for your obsequiousness.

[Brian]

“you will comply with your betters’ preferences.”

Funny thing is: the pols lump you in with everyone else, too.

[Dillinger]

so are we on for lunch or not?

[retiredfire]

Crushing aspirations and forcing guys to obey your preferences just sounds so liberal-libertarian, Artie.
Complete application of the NAP, amirite?.
Totalitarian, much?

[shortviking]

Open borders advocates: Walls don’t work!

Same advocates: Walls are inhuman!

So they actually do work or no?

[Chipper Morning Wood]

They don’t work for their intended purpose in this case.

[$park? is the Worst]

There’s nothing inhuman about the war on drugs either.

[SQRLSY One]

“So they actually do work or no?”

If that is all that we are focused upon, we could learn from the Iran-Iraq war! These walls need a special topping!

Anyone recall the Iran-Iraq wars of the 1980s? Lots of it was fought in low-laying salt-water marshes. Very tough terrain for Iraqi military vehicles… And it is expensive to bring in bunches of rocks or logs to raise up the mud to make roads. But there were BUTTLOADS of Iranian corpses just laying around for free! So the Iraqis just limed ’em up (for rot-proofing), and lined ’em up and laid ’em down to make roads! Lime ’em up, line ’em up, lay ’em down!

So we can soon expect Der TrumpfenFuhrer to steal a page from the Iran-Iraq war! The Mexicans won’t pay for His Walls?!? Make raids on Mexican peasant villages, round up conscript wall-building labor, and build the wall out of the limed-up corpses of illegal sub-humans!!! (Or at least the top-rim of the wall, for max psychological intimidation). For every American soldier killed in the effort, there will be reprisal shootings of 200 more illegal un-Americans!

Don’t say no one warned you of what is coming! Trump wants to “win” at any costs!

[mad.casual]

So why the extra wire? CBP said in a statement to the AP that an unidentified party requested “additional support in high-risk urban areas commonly exploited by criminal smuggling organizations.”

What are the odds that “an unidentified party” is up for re-election in Nogales next year?

[Rich]

According to the resolution unanimously passed yesterday by the seven members of the Nogales, Arizona, City Council, “placing coiled concertina wire strands on the ground is typically only found in a war, battlefield, or prison setting, and not in an urban setting.”

“In an urban setting, concertina wire should be placed on fences and buildings, the way God intended.”

[Rich]

OT: New Gun Bill Would Require Buyers To Reveal Social Media History

“A lot of people who are having mental health issues will often post on their social media pages that they’re about to hurt themselves or others,” [Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove)] said. “We need to give those people the help they need.”

“Of course, people who similarly post in the Illinois legislature are perfectly fine.”

[$park? is the Worst]

“We need to give those people the help they need.”

So… no waiting period?

[Rufus The Monocled]

You know. A society that can’t decide if deep dish is pizza and whether or not pineapple on pizza is acceptable (it’s not) won’t be able to settle the border wall issue I’m afraid.

[dpbisme]

Sorry, it is the Federal Governments responsibility to manage the border and one locale cannot decide the rules.

Anyway probably the only reason you might get cut by this wire is that you are entering the country illegally.

Personal responsibility is a bitch.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

Garino met with three CBP agents yesterday to discuss the matter. He claims they defended the razor wire by referencing the “rapists, murderers and drug dealers” who are supposedly trying to cross the border. “But that was strange, because the police chief, assistant chief and deputy city manager were there, and we don’t know of those things happening,” Garino told the Post. “I don’t know where they’re getting their stats.”

Canadians in Stanstead and Americans across the border in Derby Line, Vermont once lived in harmony as one community, mostly ignoring the imaginary line that separates them.

But all that changed six months ago when authorities started enforcing rules for travel between Canada and the United States: all must now pass through customs offices and show a valid passport.

And now, barricades also separate the two towns.

The change is most evident on Canusa Street. Homes on the north side are in Canada. On the south side is America. And it is no longer acceptable to go over to a neighbor across the street to ask to borrow their lawn mower.

“You have to register with US Customs and Border Protection at the end of the street, and stop in at the Canadian customs office when we return,” says Raymond Fluet.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

This month, the townsfolk faced new obstacles: several streets on the border were blockaded.

“There was a lot of traffic. People used these roads to smuggle drugs, tobacco or alcohol, even illegal immigrants into the United States,” said Philippe Dutil, the newly-elected mayor of Stanstead.

“It’s for everyone’s security,” he said.

The year: 2009.

[Don't look at me!]

Fake news or did Trump time travel? There is no other explanation.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

I’m not really posting it to say “Hey! Trump’s innocent because Obama” but I when I read the post I was struck and remembered some news articles from the way-way back about Canadian border towns that had existed forever suddenly being jammed with barricades, cameras and pesky federal border officials interfering with daily life.

I chalk most of it up to post-9/11 paranoia.

[Mickey Rat]

“Snowflake City council whines about normal security measures,,,”

[Rufus The Monocled]

I think they look great. Just add some Christmas lights and some Sombreros and it’s gonna liven up the place.

[Overt]

Mexicans like the Day of the Dead too, right? Maybe put a bunch of skulls on pik- er display sticks, lining the walls? Nothing says “Welcome to the Land of the Free” like decorations akin to that Vlad guy from the middle ages. What was his name? Vlad the Improviser? Improver?

[Rufus The Monocled]

Improver was Impaler’s brother. His motto was: I just improved Bulgaria! Check these decaps!

[mad.casual]

Make Wallachia Great Again!

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

That wire will be gone shortly after the Reign Of The Goober King ends. And there just aren’t enough half-educated bigots in America to keep it going much longer.

[Nardz]

Blah blah blah

[Don R]

Yes, Obama’s policy of “standing down” by the Border Patrol was very successful. I voted for him twice and got a dead son because of his failure to enforce the law.

Maybe you should offer your services to officiate at every funeral for someone killed by an illegal alien. It will keep you busy enough to stop spewing your bigotry that everyone who wants our orders secured is a bigot.

BTW, the GAO report I mentioned earlier studied the criminal records of illegal aliens in state, local and federal prisons from 2010-2016. They found that those people were responsible for over 33,000 murders and manslaughters deaths. You okay with that?

[BILKER]

hat does rev stand for? revolting? revisionist?

[Frank Thorn]

For some context, here is the Google street view of the Mexico side of fence near where this picture was taken. The photo was taken about 200ft east of the busy pedestrian crossing.

If you switch to satellite view note that Nogales USA is a relatively small city and few people actually live or work near the barrier. The area outside the town is really desolate.

For fun go back to street view and take a street view tour around some the neighborhoods about a mile into Mexico. Note that every house and business in Mexico has bars on all the doors and windows, some places have razor wire on the roof. Then go check out Juarez…

Google street view

[Harvard]

You really want to invite the invective fury of the Old Beaner?

[Ken Shultz]

You see that wall with razor wire covering it? What is it, you think, 24′ high? Yeah, well it isn’t a deterrent to crossing the border illegally. I know cause some shitheads at Reason told me.

[mad.casual]

Ladders dude, ladders.

[Juice]

It looks like a chain link fence that a fence wire cutter could take care of. Not as if that’s the central issue or anything. Just saying.

[Don R]

I think it’s maybe 15 ft high. Eighteen at most.

[Echospinner]

Few decades back in response to an unwanted border patrol checkpoint the city of Key West declared a succession and established itself as the Conch Republic. It was a publicity stunt but made a point. Perhaps Nogales could do something like that. Declare itself independent and just start taking down the wire. When the Feds show up surrender and demand a billion dollars in reparations.

[Rossami]

The wall is a dumb idea. The Nogales City Council’s reaction to it, though, is even more stupid. Concertina wire is common is pretty much every major city in the US. Private businesses use it or variations of it to protect their yards and property all the time. So do most governmental lots.

And as someone who strung it up in the Army and had to get through it from the other side, it is most definitely not “designed to inflict serious bodily injury or death”. The most it can do is slow you down. Maybe catch on your clothes or give you a few scratches. And as the article above points out, all it takes to block even that is a blanket, a piece of carpet or a private to lay on the wire while the rest of the squad runs over his back.

[Rossami]

I should note that concertina wire is amazingly effective at stopping trucks and tanks, though. The vehicle can plow through easily enough but the stuff snags on the treads or tires then gets wrapped around the axles, grinding the vehicle to a halt in a few hundred meters. And getting it loose is a real nightmare, especially if somebody is shooting at you.

It only happened to me once. A unit using the training area before us failed to clean up properly and left a tangle in an overgrown area that we drove through. After three hours with the wire cutters and angle-grinders, we finally had to bring in an acetylene torch to cut it loose.

[mad.casual]

I should note that concertina wire is amazingly effective at stopping trucks and tanks, though.

So it is an inhuman barrier!

[Juice]

And El Paso hates their border wall/fence too. But the feds know what’s best for us all. Hell, the feds are us, right?

[BYODB]

So it’s fine we use it in prisons that hold citizens with legal rights, but not illegal aliens who have much fewer legal rights and who aren’t beholden to U.S. law in the first place. Cool story.

[Agammamon]

. . . is “designed to inflict serious bodily injury or death,” the resolution claims.

*sigh*

I wish these people would resort to histrionics.

Razorwire can certainly hurt you – you have to try really hard to inflict serious bodily injury on yourself with it. Or kill yourself with it.

Its intended to immobilize you so the guy with a gun can do that.

[Agammamon]

It’ll sure as shit fuck up your uniform though.

[buybuydandavis]

“Arizona Border Town Condemns Feds for Unwanted, ‘Inhuman’ Razor Wire”

I, too, prefer human razor wire?

[buybuydandavis]

“That apparently didn’t stop the military from putting up even more razor wire in Nogales on Saturday. ”

The razor wire just got ten feet higher!

Beautiful! It even rhymes!

They can’t come here. If they already have, they have to go back.

[PG23COLO]

Razor wire is fitting for a police state, not for a free country.

[M.L.]

“Police state” would be an improvement for Mexico. Their police have no control, they’re subservient to murderous cartels who torture women and children, burn them alive and behead babies for fun.

So. Please tell us more about where razor wire is fitting.

[M.L.]

Why does the U.S. spend billions and trillions building walls and putting up razor wire in the Middle East, but these treasonous hacks won’t protect our own border?