I've walked across that border and back a couple times. I've seen plenty of border crossers there.

HTownAg98 said:

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Explain how putting a wall here would be useful. Juan isn't jumping across that river.

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I saw a group of 4 illegals crossing at practically that same spot all the way back in 1975. I was 10, but I remember it like it was yesterday.

IIIHorn said:

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Denying Texans access to the Rio Grande is a bad idea.

Besides, with today's technology, walls in areas with natural borders are unnecessary.

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FIFY.

Walls are still very necessary in areas that are easy to cross. And maybe even in areas that are moderately difficult to cross where technology could use the assist.

KerrAg76 said:

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I've walked across that border and back a couple times. I've seen plenty of border crossers there.

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Watch it...Users with TDS will drive by on the way to the ICE riots and tell you you're embarrassing yourself.

As a 100% supporter of walls in regions that make sense...

I am 100% against this.

AS many have said, it's desert for 100s of miles in all directions. The tiny number of illegal crossings there is not worth even 1/10 of 1% of the cost of a wall.

Sid Farkas said:

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KerrAg76 said:

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I've walked across that border and back a couple times. I've seen plenty of border crossers there.

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Watch it...Users with TDS will drive by on the way to the ICE riots and tell you you're embarrassing yourself.

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When was the last time you went to Big Bend and made it down to the Rio Grande?

Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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KerrAg76 said:

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I've walked across that border and back a couple times. I've seen plenty of border crossers there.

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Watch it...Users with TDS will drive by on the way to the ICE riots and tell you you're embarrassing yourself.

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When was the last time you went to Big Bend and made it down to the Rio Grande?

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The price of tea in China bro.

The cost of security isn't 'free'.

We should just buy 5 miles by 100 miles of Mexico territory and build the wall at the new border.

Sid Farkas said:

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Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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KerrAg76 said:

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I've walked across that border and back a couple times. I've seen plenty of border crossers there.

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Watch it...Users with TDS will drive by on the way to the ICE riots and tell you you're embarrassing yourself.

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When was the last time you went to Big Bend and made it down to the Rio Grande?

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The price of tea in China bro.

The cost of security isn't 'free'.

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So never.

You have zero idea what you're talking about when it comes to area.

Tea Party said:

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IIIHorn said:

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Denying Texans access to the Rio Grande is a bad idea.

Besides, with today's technology, walls in areas with natural borders are unnecessary.

---

FIFY.

Walls are still very necessary in areas that are easy to cross. And maybe even in areas that are moderately difficult to cross where technology could use the assist.

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Fund more border personnel and equipment.

Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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HTownAg98 said:

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Explain how putting a wall here would be useful. Juan isn't jumping across that river.

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Feel free to side with Mother Jones and AOC on the issue based on a headline.

I'll stick with the Trump admin until further notice.

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I'm always amazed when people are confronted with evidence that proves their point of view is wrong and instead of thinking thoughtfully about their beliefs they just stick their fingers in their ears and makes loud noises.

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Honestly you call that evidence? How do we know there are only targeted areas being considered? I seriously doubt the Rio Grand is going to have a fence over the top of the bluff.

Sid Farkas said:

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Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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KerrAg76 said:

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I've walked across that border and back a couple times. I've seen plenty of border crossers there.

---

Watch it...Users with TDS will drive by on the way to the ICE riots and tell you you're embarrassing yourself.

---

When was the last time you went to Big Bend and made it down to the Rio Grande?

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The price of tea in China bro.

The cost of security isn't 'free'.

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"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

-Benjamin Franklin

MouthBQ98 said:

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Stupid, wasteful, and useless there. There simply are not illegal crossings in big bend due to the extreme isolation. This is really really dumb and someone needs to tell the administration this bluntly

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Wrong

I've seen them rounded up by the Border Patrol in Big Bend National Park.

In fact, it was a real eye opener for my GenZ daughter and a bunch of people in our group.

Because, for a lot of people, this illegal alien border crosser is just a myth.

Also, West of Big Bend, my brother and I got stopped by Border Patrol and questioned back in May 2024. The Agent we talked to told us you'd be surprised how many illegals come through there.

Tea Party said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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KerrAg76 said:

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I've walked across that border and back a couple times. I've seen plenty of border crossers there.

---

Watch it...Users with TDS will drive by on the way to the ICE riots and tell you you're embarrassing yourself.

---

When was the last time you went to Big Bend and made it down to the Rio Grande?

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The price of tea in China bro.

The cost of security isn't 'free'.

---

"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

-Benjamin Franklin

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Yes, but have you gone to Big Bend and made it down the Rio Grande? because that humblebrag trumps all logic.

Gross exaggeration

Border wall doesn't make sense between Santa Elena and Boquillas. Parts of that stretch of river you can wade or swim across but parts also have cliff faces. If you did cross somewhere along that stretch then the route north is right through the park with visitor center, camping, hiking trails, etc. though still desolate. Even on the east side you'd cross multiple dirt roads that are crossed by tourists, park rangers, border patrol, etc. Boquillas to Marathon is 72 miles as the crow flies through rough desert.

Technology should be enough for anyone dumb enough to try it as a good place to cross.

For those not as familiar. The picture is basically from Santa Elena to Boquillas following the river.

Did nobody read the link? It's talking about a 'smart wall'. Which means a mix of roads, surveillance technology, floating obstacles, bollards, etc.

Until they release the actual plan, there is nothing to get riled up about. All they did is redesignate Big Bend from a technology only zone to a 'smart wall' zone.

HollywoodBQ said:

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Also, West of Big Bend, my brother and I got stopped by Border Patrol and questioned back in May 2024. The Agent we talked to told us you'd be surprised how many illegals come through there.

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Did they not realize that y'all are Island Mexicans and can swim REALLY well?

I don't doiubt there are some, but it is clearly not a major artery. I camp out at big bend and big bend ranch every winter and do a ton of backcountry hiking. I've been told you might occasionally encounter a few but I've never seen anyone that appeared to be moving through the parks themselves. I could see someone crossing near Terlingua where they can get east access to Hwy 170 and head over to presidio.

I'd want to see the got away numbers for that sector.

lb3 said:

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Did nobody read the link? It's talking about a 'smart wall'. Which means a mix of roads, surveillance technology, floating obstacles, bollards, etc.

Until they release the actual plan, there is nothing to get riled up about. All they did is redesignate Big Bend from a technology only zone to a 'smart wall' zone.

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Nobody is going to source material anymore.
They're just getting triggered by derivative works.

Here's the source - not that anyone who is dreaming of a steel fence going up Santa Elena Canyon cares.
https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/smart-wall-map/

Sid Farkas said:

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Tea Party said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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KerrAg76 said:

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I've walked across that border and back a couple times. I've seen plenty of border crossers there.

---

Watch it...Users with TDS will drive by on the way to the ICE riots and tell you you're embarrassing yourself.

---

When was the last time you went to Big Bend and made it down to the Rio Grande?

---

The price of tea in China bro.

The cost of security isn't 'free'.

---

"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

-Benjamin Franklin

---

Yes, but have you gone to Big Bend and made it down the Rio Grande? because that humblebrag trumps all logic.

---

Illegal border crossings and drug smuggling occasionally occur in Big Bend National Park, but the area historically has the fewest crossings of any U.S. Border Patrol sector due to its remote, rugged terrain and lack of water.

That's a quote from the NPS.

You must be exhausted from that giant hole you're digging.

So we only want a wall in some places but not the pretty ones? Y'all need to be more consistent

BigRobSA said:

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Also, West of Big Bend, my brother and I got stopped by Border Patrol and questioned back in May 2024. The Agent we talked to told us you'd be surprised how many illegals come through there.

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Did they not realize that y'all are Island Mexicans and can swim REALLY well?

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I was the only Puerto Rican in the group. And I did have my passport with me. Just in case I was detained - LOL

We want walls where they are useful, feasible, and make sense. Not where they are mostly useless and ineffective and not the best solution.

When someone says wall, there is a definition for wall. It isn't a detection and security network. It isn't border road and detection infrastructure. It is a horizontal and vertical structure meant to contain or exclude something.

I am totally fine with a patrol road, detection network, and where it might matter, even a River obstacle. I think an actual wall in most places in the big bend area is pointless and maybe even harmful.

MouthBQ98 said:

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I don't doiubt there are some, but it is clearly not a major artery. I camp out at big bend and big bend ranch every winter and do a ton of backcountry hiking. I've been told you might occasionally encounter a few but I've never seen anyone that appeared to be moving through the parks themselves. I could see someone crossing near Terlingua where they can get east access to Hwy 170 and head over to presidio.

I'd want to see the got away numbers for that sector.

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It's not Southern Arizona with lookouts on the mountain tops but, there are some.

Is it the lowest of any Border Patrol sector? No idea. Let me know when you find the stats.

But, the facts are - I've seen them get rounded up first hand in December 2024 in BBNP.

Then there's the Caballeros in the parking lot near Boquillas who will break into your car and ride back across the river with the loot.

And, when my brother and I got stopped by Border Patrol NW of Candelaria in May 2024, the Agent told us that yes, they do pick them up there all the time. And frequently in large groups.

I suppose there are specific locations where the geography makes it more feasible but those should be east to identify and focus on.

Having hiked across the entire desert of Big Bend.... this is ****ing insanity.

EDIT: I hiked all the way down to the most southern point. Saw zero humans. Few dead horses though.

MouthBQ98 said:

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Stupid, wasteful, and useless there. There simply are not illegal crossings in big bend due to the extreme isolation. This is really really dumb and someone needs to tell the administration this bluntly

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This, if you have ever just been there once, you know this is ret@rded.

That being said, there should definitely be state of the art surveillance there. It may not be a hot spot for illegal crossings due to geographical location, but it's not like drug smugglers dont have 4-wheel drive trucks and drones. They will go where the safeguards aren't, plan and simple.

ETFan said:

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Having hiked across the entire desert of Big Bend.... this is ****ing insanity.

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A wall is stupid, still not as insane as many of the things your party believes and supports, but dumb nonetheless. I personally think Big Bend would be a GREAT place to smuggle drugs in though. That's why they have these down there I presume. For this region, we should be relying on technology and gadgets, not wasteful spending on wall.

lb3 said:

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Did nobody read the link? It's talking about a 'smart wall'. Which means a mix of roads, surveillance technology, floating obstacles, bollards, etc.

Until they release the actual plan, there is nothing to get riled up about. All they did is redesignate Big Bend from a technology only zone to a 'smart wall' zone.

---

Correct, and the "smart wall" literally incorporates their bollard wall, that looks like this.

Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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Tea Party said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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KerrAg76 said:

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I've walked across that border and back a couple times. I've seen plenty of border crossers there.

---

Watch it...Users with TDS will drive by on the way to the ICE riots and tell you you're embarrassing yourself.

---

When was the last time you went to Big Bend and made it down to the Rio Grande?

---

The price of tea in China bro.

The cost of security isn't 'free'.

---

"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

-Benjamin Franklin

---

Yes, but have you gone to Big Bend and made it down the Rio Grande? because that humblebrag trumps all logic.

---

Illegal border crossings and drug smuggling occasionally occur in Big Bend National Park, but the area historically has the fewest crossings of any U.S. Border Patrol sector due to its remote, rugged terrain and lack of water.

That's a quote from the NPS.

You must be exhausted from that giant hole you're digging.

---

To this point; the park Rangers made me sign my 8 day back country permit as "Against ranger advice", explicitly because of the water situation out there.

They only let me go because I had paper maps with every single spring in the park mapped with a legend of "likely to have water"

It's inhospitable out there. Anyone who crosses there is welcome, as far as I'm concerned.

Ducks4brkfast said:

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lb3 said:

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Did nobody read the link? It's talking about a 'smart wall'. Which means a mix of roads, surveillance technology, floating obstacles, bollards, etc.

Until they release the actual plan, there is nothing to get riled up about. All they did is redesignate Big Bend from a technology only zone to a 'smart wall' zone.

---

Correct, and the "smart wall" literally incorporates their bollard wall, that looks like this.

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Would pretty much ruin one of my favorite golf courses.



Par'd the above hole btw.

1981 Monte Carlo said:

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ETFan said:

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Having hiked across the entire desert of Big Bend.... this is ****ing insanity.

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A wall is stupid, still not as insane as many of the things your party believes and supports, but dumb nonetheless. I personally think Big Bend would be a GREAT place to smuggle drugs in though. That's why they have these down there I presume. For this region, we should be relying on technology and gadgets, not wasteful spending on wall.

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There are just too many easier places to cross. I don't think people understand how dangerous it is out there. Multiple Americans die out there every year backpacking.

Show and tell, this is halfway across headed toward the mariscal ridge / southern point. Better bring your water!

https://imgur.com/a/8v5fI4b

Ducks4brkfast said:

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lb3 said:

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Did nobody read the link? It's talking about a 'smart wall'. Which means a mix of roads, surveillance technology, floating obstacles, bollards, etc.

Until they release the actual plan, there is nothing to get riled up about. All they did is redesignate Big Bend from a technology only zone to a 'smart wall' zone.

---

Correct, and the "smart wall" literally incorporates their bollard wall, that looks like this.

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It can incorporate a bollard wall like that. It can also be roads or technology.

ETFan said:

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1981 Monte Carlo said:

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ETFan said:

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Having hiked across the entire desert of Big Bend.... this is ****ing insanity.

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A wall is stupid, still not as insane as many of the things your party believes and supports, but dumb nonetheless. I personally think Big Bend would be a GREAT place to smuggle drugs in though. That's why they have these down there I presume. For this region, we should be relying on technology and gadgets, not wasteful spending on wall.

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There are just too many easier places to cross. I don't think people understand how dangerous it is out there. Multiple Americans die out there every year backpacking.

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Yep, the amount of illegal immigrants that cross in that stretch is miniscule, if any. And I agree, they have at least 'paid their dues' more than most others. Some local land owners and ranchers do leave water out for them often times, so the number is not zero...but it is tiny enough to not worry about.

Drug smuggling should be the only concern in that area, and I believe we already have technology and manpower to combat that down there.

My wife and I didn't even do any insane hiking, but I remember thinking "if we were to get hurt out here, we'd be f***ed".