NM senators offer border security plans

In an effort to prevent another lapse in federal funding, U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall on Thursday introduced three proposals aimed at addressing needs in remote areas of the southern border region and bolstering economic development in border communities. One bill would provide Border Patrol agents with increased medical training and EMT certification, as well as deliver enhanced language interpretation services and voice access to physicians or health care providers at all Customs and Border Protection remote stations and southern land-based ports of entry. A second proposal would increase commercial hours of operation at some of the nation’s busiest southern land ports of entry and direct CBP to conduct a study of designated port of entry locations to identify improvements to redesign, modernize and improve efficiency. The third piece of proposed legislation would make investments in technology and equipment in rural and remote border areas, such as New Mexico’s Bootheel. The bill also includes a new pilot program designed to address Border Patrol personnel retention. “Instead of wasting billions of dollars on a border wall that New Mexicans don’t want or need, we should make smart, responsible investments,” Heinrich said in a statement. “I am proud to introduce pragmatic proposals that address the gaps in the border security debate and reflect the realities of our border communities.” A “massive, wasteful wall” along the entire southern border, Udall said in a statement, is not a realistic or effective approach to keeping people safe or keeping the nation secure. “We face complex challenges at our border, and those challenges demand serious and common-sense solutions like those included in these bills,” Udall said. “… I hope Congress can move beyond the president’s message of division and work toward these meaningful solutions.”...MORE

 One bill would provide Border Patrol agents with increased medical training and EMT certification, as well as deliver enhanced language interpretation services and voice access to physicians or health care providers at all Customs and Border Protection remote stations and southern land-based ports of entry

This makes it very clear their first priority is the safety and health of the illegal immigrants, not the enhancement of border security. 

A second proposal would increase commercial hours of operation at some of the nation’s busiest southern land ports of entry and direct CBP to conduct a study of designated port of entry locations to identify improvements to redesign, modernize and improve efficiency.

Increasing "commercial' hours of operation addresses trade between the two countries, not border security.

  The third piece of proposed legislation would make investments in technology and equipment in rural and remote border areas, such as New Mexico’s Bootheel. The bill also includes a new pilot program designed to address Border Patrol personnel retention.

Without seeing the actual text of the legislation (not available yet) it is hard to comment on this, but these proposals could have some merit.

Can't help but notice that money for the wall is "wasteful" and "divisive' while spending on these programs is a "smart...investment", and border issues are "complex", i.e., far beyond the understanding of the rubes who live in the border area.

Both Senators are demonstrating their ignorance or unconcern with border security as they are about to pass legislation that would create 240,000 acres of wilderness on or near our border with Mexico which prevents patrolling by local, state or federal officers by motorized vehicles or any use of mechanized equipment. They can only patrol by foot or horseback.