GOP: Border patrol agents handcuffed by wildlife rules

Federal land protections are hampering efforts to stop the flow of illegal immigrants across the border, Republicans say. The Interior Department controls about 800 miles along the dividing line with Mexico, or about 40 percent of the total, with other land in the region owned by the Forest Service. GOP lawmakers argue federal regulations intended to protect land and wildlife have become an obstacle for Customs and Borders Protection officers because they restrict their ability to drive near the border, build infrastructure or install surveillance technology...more

The Republicans keep dodging the real issue:  its not the regulations that implement the law, its the laws themselves that restrict the Border Patrol and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Let's take the Wilderness Act as an example.  The R's say its the reg's that keep the Border Patrol from driving near the border, building infrastructure or installing surveillance technology.  No, its Section 4(c) of the Wilderness Act, which lists those activities which are prohibited.  Among them are roads, motorized vehicles, structures and installations.

How is the Border Patrol going to patrol if roads and motorized vehicles are prohibited by law.

How is the Border Patrol going to build infrastructure such as observation towers when structures are prohibited by law?

How is the Border Patrol going to install surveillance technology when installations are prohibited by law.

No, my friends in the GOP, its not the regulations its the law that is restricting the Border Patrol and the implementation of those laws are authorized and funded by Congress, not by the agencies.