Mexico has urged the US to alter its plans for expanded fences along their shared border, saying they would damage the environment and harm wildlife.
The fences threaten unique ecosystems, Mexican environment officials warned.
Mexico was ready to file a complaint with the International Court of Justice over the matter if the US did not respond, the environment minister said.
The planned barriers aim to curb illegal immigration, a highly divisive and controversial issue in the US.
The fences, planned along a possible 700 miles (1,125km) of the border, are to be equipped with hi-tech surveillance equipment, including sensors and strong lights.
“The eventual construction of this barrier would place at risk the various ecosystems that we share,” Mexico’s Environment Minister Juan Rafael Elvira told a news conference.
Those areas include Baja California, Sonora and Arizona, home to one of the world’s most important desert ecosystems - the Sonora Desert.
Cactus fences
Officials said Mexico was prepared to file a complaint with the International Court of Justice but wanted to explore alternatives first.
US Army personnel install sections of the US-Mexico border fence July 2007 near Puerto Palomas Mexico. Most of the illegal immigrants enter the US via the Mexico border
A report prepared for the Mexican government by experts and environmental activists from Mexico and the US said the barriers could isolate border animals into smaller groups, affecting their genetic diversity.
These include jaguars, Mexican black bears and the endangered antelope-like Sonora Pronghorn.
The use of intense lights and radar could also affect nocturnal species, they said.
The report suggested ways of minimising environmental damage, including “green corridors” of wilderness without roads.
These would allow wildlife to remain connected but not provide an easy route for people trying to cross.
Another proposal was “live” fences of cactuses, or permeable barriers to allow water, insects and pollen to cross the border.
The US Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff, has said that the fencing is needed. He has rejected arguments that the Rio Grande provides an adequate barrier as water levels in the river often drop, allowing people to wade across.
An estimated 12 million illegal immigrants are in the US, where attempts at a comprehensive overhaul of immigration law have repeatedly stalled in Congress.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6924475.stm
I’m sure the animals will adjust. The birds can fly over, the rodents and lizards can burrow under, and the rest of them will just have to make do with whatever piece of that desert they find themselves in after the fence is finished. They make it sound as if the poor things will need conjugal visits.
The fences threaten unique ecosystems,
Right. The mexican raw sewage deoes not “threaten unique ecosystems”
The hundreds of mexican trash piles in national forests located on the mexican border does not threaten unique ecosystems.
The foot trails that go through restricted wildlife areas do not threaten unique ecosystems
The border industries that have little to no pollution control do not threaten unique ecosystems.
I bet our fellow Americans can post photos of various Mexican items not threatening unique ecosystems.
But, of course, a stainless steel/galvanized steel professionally installed fencing system will cause immediate, extensive, catastrophic, irreversible harm to those very same unique ecosystems
It couldn’t be as harmful as hundreds of thousands of people throwing trash everywhere and stomping down fragile vegetation.
Bailey
They can make all the excuses they want, its our border. Mexico’s opinion on what we do with our border is insignificant
Comment by lon m — April 23, 2008 @ 1:02 am
is this a question? WTF
Comment by ScarMan — April 24, 2008 @ 7:28 pm
They have a point i guess but in the end its just an excuse to let more mexicans go into the usa.
ah well what can you do?
Comment by SlovikEddie — April 25, 2008 @ 11:51 am
Simple. Build the fence 1 foot further north than we had originally intended. Problem solved. We then aren’t affecting anyone’s “shared” land.
Comment by Warren H — April 27, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
its our land and we can do what we want with it. they can make statements all they want.
Comment by nick — April 29, 2008 @ 6:42 am
Build all the fences you want, waste of money and they will never work, If you hire undocumented to do the work it will get done faster.
Comment by Daniel F — April 29, 2008 @ 9:07 pm
you see …
they are afraid that if a fence goes up they might have to clean up the trash themselves… after all it would be on their side of the fence…. of course you can see what a good job they do of keeping thei cities clean.
Comment by bgdadyp — May 2, 2008 @ 11:15 pm
Americans have the same complaints. There are many groups in Texas especially that are trying to stop the fence, since 1 - it won’t work, 2 - it’ll kill all kinds of wildlife.
The government isn’t listening, as usual. So much for democracy.
Comment by luisamapacha — May 6, 2008 @ 7:20 am
Let them. We have more evidence that the mass invasion of illegals are causing the damage. Not the building of the fence.
edit: Making up more excuses I see summermoondancer.
Comment by StoneCold — May 9, 2008 @ 11:47 am
Not any US citizen or owner along the border wants the fence in the first place and you are forgetting that most of that land is private owned, it is going to divide the University of Texas right in two so what is your solution for getting the kids to math class? Are you just going to by default give the entire university of Texas to Mexico? Does the Rio Grande then automatically revert to their ownership? What about the Indian reservation you plan on dividing with the fence as well? have you thought you might need their permission as well? You can’t march on reservation land and make demands of land that doesn’t belong to you and if you go on a Texas farmer or rancher’s land and make those same demands you are likely to find your butt filled with buckshot.
Comment by summermoondancer2004 — May 9, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
It’s our side of the border - they should just shut up and keep THEIR citizens in THEIR country! THEIR citizens are the ones causing the damage.
Comment by amnesty_sucks — May 10, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
Their abuse of our eco system really bothers me a lot. Have you seen the videos and such? I was so appalled at the sight, they were saying how much it stank! I don’t think they have any regard for our eco system. I’d be happy to bring in the photos and videos as evidence for the Mexican government! This may be my pet peeve!
Comment by Ms.L.A. — May 12, 2008 @ 1:55 am
Mexico’s opinion is irrelevant.
The 2000 Mile Fence will be built maybe not today or tomorrow but soon.
The way of life in America now and for future generations depends on this secure fence.
Comment by Captain Feathersword — May 12, 2008 @ 8:52 am
You have to hand it to Mexico, they have no shame exporting to the USA, their poverty while trying to hid behind the concern for the ecosystem. I would tell them to go hug a tree
Comment by me2 — May 14, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
what’s your point? Because I don’t see what Mexico filing that complaint has to do with immigration?? It’s about the environment not immigration. But I can see you tried to tie it in with the immigration issue but it’s not working for me.
Comment by ricmon87 — May 16, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
please they could care less about the enviroment….ever walked there streets….more excuses and if they cared so much then they should build a wildlife perserve.
Comment by divers_godeeper — May 17, 2008 @ 4:06 am
“The fence will prevent …”water and insects” from crossing…” Insects??? Those “insects” must be monsters! By all means, keep them out! I’m really scared now! Oh, yes, and the “killer” pollen.
Comment by Eyes — May 18, 2008 @ 10:12 am