Disir
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Abbott “is going to have to balance competing interests on his end here, not the least of which is a Republican electorate that is right now very energized about border security and immigration in a way that is not so given to diplomacy,” Henson said.
In addition to the political challenges, there are also economic realities to consider. More than 60 percent of the U.S-Mexico trade activity happens on the Texas border, according to research by Dr. Federico Schaffler, director of the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development at Texas A&M International University.
“The main challenge Governor Abbott will face over there is trying to defuse this rhetoric regarding the border situation,” Schaffler said.
State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, has long been a critic of Texas’ and national efforts to beef up border security. His hometown is across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juárez and is regularly listed among the safest places in the U.S. to live. The buildup of security forces, he and other border residents say, not only slows down border trade traffic, but also gives a false impression that the region is dangerous.
“State and national leaders must stop using immigrants as the base for irresponsible negative campaigns,” Rodríguez said. “We must embrace policies that seize the opportunity generated by border commerce and demographic growth in the new Texas.”
On first official trip to Mexico, Gov. Abbott must balance politics, diplomacy
This is going to be interesting.
In addition to the political challenges, there are also economic realities to consider. More than 60 percent of the U.S-Mexico trade activity happens on the Texas border, according to research by Dr. Federico Schaffler, director of the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development at Texas A&M International University.
“The main challenge Governor Abbott will face over there is trying to defuse this rhetoric regarding the border situation,” Schaffler said.
State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, has long been a critic of Texas’ and national efforts to beef up border security. His hometown is across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juárez and is regularly listed among the safest places in the U.S. to live. The buildup of security forces, he and other border residents say, not only slows down border trade traffic, but also gives a false impression that the region is dangerous.
“State and national leaders must stop using immigrants as the base for irresponsible negative campaigns,” Rodríguez said. “We must embrace policies that seize the opportunity generated by border commerce and demographic growth in the new Texas.”
On first official trip to Mexico, Gov. Abbott must balance politics, diplomacy
This is going to be interesting.
