NEW MEXICO – New Mexico U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez again urged Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to immediately remove the barbed wire barrier recently installed on the border between the two states.
Vasquez, who visited the barrier site on Monday, said the structure is “dangerous and unconstitutional.” “This interstate barrier violates the U.S. Constitution and affects travel between New Mexico and Texas,” Vasquez said in a statement.
The barrier, which stretches 10 miles, was built by Abbott without the approval of the New Mexico government. Vasquez said the barrier also violates the U.S.-Mexico treaty that regulates water use along the border.
“This interstate fence was erected without the consent of any New Mexico state official. In addition, no affected stakeholders or any elected officials were consulted in this process, including the International Boundary and Water Commission – the commission in charge of the U.S.-Mexico border and water treaty compliance,” said Rep.
Vasquez, who is the first member of Congress born in New Mexico to immigrant parents, is committed to solving immigration challenges on the U.S.-Mexico border. The congressman introduced a package of bipartisan bills this week to address immigration reform.
