Pence visits Calexico, tours border
V.P. to appear at Arizona event touting tax overhaul
CALEXICO — Vice President Mike Pence delivered a promise on Monday to local Customs and Border Protection officials that the White House stands committed to improving border security and supporting immigration enforcement efforts.
He also promised those gathered at the El Centro Sector Border Patrol station in Imperial that President Donald Trump’s administration will continue to press Congress to modernize immigration laws that are ineffective and routinely exploited.
“We will make America safe again, and we will have all of you to thank,” Pence told those gathered.
Pence’s visit on Monday is the second recent visit to the area by a high-ranking administration official, following Department of homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen’s visit to the Valley in mid-April.
During his lengthy remarks to CBP officials, Pence spoke of the importance of the sector’s efforts to impede the flow of both illegal immigration and contraband into the United States and the need to keep local agents safe.
While expressing gratitude to CBP officials for their public service, Pence also lambasted the so-called “agenda-driven media and open-border advocates” for contributing to the continued victimization of vulnerable men, women and children by immigrant-smuggling organizations.
“We will not rest until Congress passes legislation that will modernize our immigration laws and remove the message and incentive to people to the south to try to enter our country by any means,” Pence said.
Among the initiatives recently proposed by the Trump administration are changes to how long federal officials can keep immigrant children in detention, challenging sanctuary policies and an end to the diversity visa program.
Pence also sought to cast aside any doubt that the White House has wavered on its promise to fortify the border wall system.
“It is also a physical manifestation of the determination of the American people to protect our border and protect our sovereignty, and we will complete it,” Pence said.
Before leaving for a tour of the border, sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez presented Pence with a commemorative plaque that was made in part from some of the old landing mat fencing that is currently being replaced with 30-foot Bollard-type fencing west of the downtown Calexico port of entry.
Pence’s visit to the Valley had gotten underway at Naval Air Facility El Centro, where Air Force Two had landed and where he briefly addressed both active duty and civilian base personnel.
“I think it’s wonderful that Vice President Pence was able to put boots on the ground and get a first-hand look at the base,” said Kristopher Haugh, NAFEC public affairs officer.
The naval base is uniquely equipped as a training facility to ensure the safety of such prominent dignitaries, Haugh said. In October 2011, Prince Harry of Wales, a captain in the British Army, conducted live-fire training at NAFEC, to much similar fanfare.
“We’re used to dealing with these very important people,” Haugh said.
Following Pence’s remarks to NAFEC and then CBP personnel, he was taken on a tour of the border fence construction project in Calexico.
Waiting for Pence’s motorcade in front of the Gran Plaza Outlets was Tucson, Ariz. resident Maxie Adler, who stood on Second Street with a large sign in protest of the border wall.
Adler said she follows immigration issues closely, and on Sunday was in Tijuana to observe the migrant caravan of Central Americans who travelled north through Mexico in order to seek asylum at the San Ysidro port of entry.
Those migrants were told Sunday that the port of entry was at capacity and incapable of processing any additional asylum seekers until space became available.
“I think the wall is a representation of bigotry and hate, and is bad for our communities,” Adler said.
The wall and its proposed expansion also is an environmental concern, said Laiken Jordahl, borderlands campaigner for the non-profit Centers for Biological Diversity.
The CBD were co-plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit brought against the federal government by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra that sought to have future border wall construction comply with health and environmental laws.
Ultimately, a federal judge sided with the federal government’s proposed use of waivers for expedited construction.
“We’re appealing some aspects of that case, so it’s not over yet,” Jordahl said.
Holtville resident Art Zeigler was also among the small group of onlookers gathered in front of the outlet mall on Monday to watch Pence drive by.
Prior to Trump having secured the GOP’s nomination, Pence had been Zeigler’s first choice for the
TEMPE — Vice President Mike Pence will be in Arizona on Tuesday to tout the Republican tax overhaul approved by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump.
Pence will appear at an afternoon event in Tempe hosted by America First Policies, a pro-Trump nonprofit. He’s traveling across the U.S. to highlight the tax overhaul.
Pence is also scheduled to appear at an evening fundraiser for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a party group that works to elect Republican candidates for U.S. Senate.
Arizona has an open Senate seat with first-term Republican incumbent Jeff Flake’s decision to not seek re-election.
Republican presidential candidacy.
Today, Zeigler stands in support of Trump’s immigration policies, and in particular efforts to enhance border security and efforts to normalize immigrants who had been brought to the country illegally as minors, socalled “Dreamers.”
“We need something better than what we have,” Zeigler said.
Zeigler also lent his support to the deployment of National Guard troops along the Southwest border.
“The presence of the National Guard is something that will enhance our safety,” he said.
On Monday, Pence reported that 250 California guardsmen were soon to be deployed along the California-Mexico border.