A wall won't solve America's border problems | Will Hurd

TL;DR

In this conversation, Anne Milgram interviews Congressman Will Hurd about various topics including immigration, the border wall, and the separation of children and families.

Transcript

Anne Milgram: Congressman, I was about to introduce you and say a little more -- Will Hurd: Hey, Anne. How are you? AM: Hi, how are you doing? Thank you so much for joining us tonight. We're so lucky to have you here with us. I've already explained that you're actually in Washington because you're working. And I was about to tell folks that you rep... Read More

Key Insights

• 🗺️ The 23rd district of Texas, represented by Congressman Will Hurd, is large and diverse, spanning 29 counties and 820 miles of border. It is predominantly Latino and includes more border than any other district.
• 🚧 Building a 30-foot-high wall across the entire border is an expensive and ineffective solution for border security. More technology, personnel, and streamlined legal immigration processes are needed.
• 💰 Taking funds from the military to build the border wall is not an efficient use of resources. Instead, the focus should be on addressing root causes of immigration issues, such as violence, lack of economic opportunity, and extreme poverty in Central America.
• 🌎 The United States should strengthen alliances and work with international organizations to collectively address root causes of immigration issues in Central America. This includes supporting programs to address violence, corruption, and economic development.
• ❌ Detaining children and separating families at the border is morally wrong and ineffective as a deterrent. The focus should be on humane treatment, timely processing of immigration cases, and increasing representation for those seeking asylum.
• 🔎 The conversation about immigration should not solely focus on the border, as the majority of undocumented individuals in the US have overstayed on visas. Additionally, drugs and individuals on the terrorist watch list often enter through airports and other points of entry, not the southern border.
• 💡 Streamlining legal immigration and focusing on comprehensive immigration reform can benefit the US economy and address security concerns more effectively than physical barriers.
• 🤝 It is important to remember that more unites Americans than divides them. Promoting empathy and understanding towards immigrants and their situations can lead to better policy decisions and a stronger society.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you describe your district in Southwest Texas?

My district in Southwest Texas is comprised of 29 counties and spans two time zones. It stretches 820 miles of border from Eagle Pass to El Paso. It takes 10 and a half hours to drive across my district at the speed limit of 80 miles per hour.

Q: What is your expertise in national security and as a member of Congress?

I spent nine and a half years as an undercover officer in the CIA, where I focused on tackling criminal organizations across the country. As a Congressman, I have represented the 23rd district of Texas for three terms and have extensive knowledge about border security.

Q: What is your reaction to President Trump's proposal of building a 30-foot-high border wall?

Building a 30-foot-high concrete wall spanning the entire border is not an effective or cost-efficient solution for border security. Response times to threats in certain areas of the border can take hours to days, rendering a physical wall ineffective. Instead, we should focus on employing technology and increasing the number of border patrol agents while also streamlining legal immigration.

Q: What is your position on using emergency funds from the military to build the border wall?

I am opposed to using emergency funds from the military to fund the border wall. It is not an efficient use of resources, especially when we are still in the process of rebuilding our military. A concrete wall is an outdated solution to a modern problem. We should be addressing the root causes of immigration and establishing a coordinated effort with other countries and organizations.

Q: How should the United States government address the root causes of immigration in Central America?

Strengthening alliances and working with countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras is crucial. Programs focusing on violence, economic opportunity, and extreme poverty need to be supported. We should increase funding and coordination with organizations like the International Development Bank and the Organization of American States, and appoint a special representative for the Northern Triangle to address these root causes effectively.

Q: What are your views on the separation of children and families at the border?

The separation of children and families at the border is fundamentally wrong. It goes against the values and principles of the United States. Not only is it morally unacceptable, but it has also proven to be ineffective in deterring illegal immigration. We should ensure that children in our custody are treated humanely, with access to proper care and a safe environment.

Q: Why does the administration continue to separate children from their parents at the border?

It's ultimately a decision that would need to be addressed to the administration. As a Congressman, I have opposed this strategy and advocated for providing adequate care and support to children in our custody. These facilities were not designed for long-term detention, and we should be focused on finding suitable sponsors or family members for these children while their immigration court cases are being processed.

Q: Are we focusing too much on the border in the national conversation about immigration?

Yes, I agree with the premise that our focus on the border may be misplaced. The majority of undocumented immigrants overstay their visas, terrorists enter through airports, and the majority of drugs come through ports of entry. Instead, we should focus on streamlining legal immigration, investing in technology and resources to detect drugs at ports, and addressing the root causes of immigration.

Q: How do we convince all Americans to understand that more unites us than divides us?

By focusing on the common values and interests that we share, we can bridge the divide. We need to remember the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves and empathize with the situations that immigrants and their families face. By finding common ground and working towards solutions that benefit everyone, we can create a more united and compassionate country.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The congressman represents the 23rd district of Texas, which is large and spans 29 counties and two time zones.

• He believes that a 30-foot high border wall is not an effective solution for border security and that technology and increased border patrol personnel would be more beneficial.

• He advocates for addressing the root causes of immigration, such as violence, lack of economic opportunity, and extreme poverty in Central American countries, through strengthening alliances and providing aid and support.