Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley held his own Monday night with a panel of national figures during a debate on the plan to build a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
President Bush recently signed a bill authorizing the construction of a fence along 700 miles of the border at a cost of several billion dollars.
McCamley was one of four panelists on “It’s Your Call with Lynn Doyle,” a nightly show on the Comcast Network that is not aired in
Conservative politician and author Pat Buchanan, who was scheduled to take part, cancelled earlier Monday.
McCamley, who in heated situations is known for high energy and fast talking that sometimes gives the impression of impatience, was the one to calm situations during the show when other panelists were talking past each other.
That was the impressive part. But when McCamley slows his speech, his normally defunct southern accent comes out, and it sounded strange. Those who have heard him at commission meetings or on television might have been confused by that.
As for what was said, Simcox and Turzanski argued that a border fence is necessary, with Turzanski even saying that, if the United States can’t stop illegal immigration, it might have to shut its borders completely to protect its citizens.
Diaz agreed that a fence slows illegal immigration in the area where it’s built, but said that’s only because immigrants cross elsewhere. A fence is not a solution, he said.
McCamley said a fence would be worthless, and suggested a more comprehensive plan is needed.
Simcox agreed that the solution involves more than a fence, but said illegal immigration must be stopped first to allay the fears of
While the others argued about specific points, McCamley on three occasions brought the discussion back to the need for a comprehensive plan. When asked what that was, McCamley said it would include more Border Patrol agents, better funding and support for sheriffs along the border, increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles and cameras, the creation of more processing centers, and the enforcement of laws prohibiting corporations from hiring illegal workers.
He pointed out that only a few dozen employers were prosecuted in 2004 for hiring illegal workers, and said the federal government has done little to crack down in that area.
“We need to do a better job of enforcing the laws we have now,” McCamley said. “This is a supply and demand issue.”
That was one point on which all agreed. Turzanski and Simcox both said the Bush Administration must do more to crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants.
Turzanski asked McCamley what he thinks should be done about those already living here illegally. McCamley pointed out that, in
He said those who are law-abiding (with the exception of immigration laws), who pay taxes, and who have families here should be allowed to stay while they go through the citizenship process.
Simcox agreed that the