President Trump to visit border Friday
A press release from the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump will be in Calexico on Friday. Officials said he will visit a newly completed section of the border fence that replaced the one made during the Vietnam War.
President Trump will also participate in a roundtable with local law enforcement officials.
Ben Horton, Calexico’s Economic Commissioner, said he hopes President Trump gets a first-hand look at the current conditions of the Calexico West Port of Entry.
Horton said, “It’ll highlight the need for the port, for the expansion, for the security. But an overall picture, it highlights what’s going on.”
The port is stuck in its final phase of construction due to a lack of funding and President Trump’s threat to shut down the entire U.S.-Mexico border would only add to the problem.
Horton said if the border was to close, it would be a blow to the city’s economy.
“We depend on the economic support from Mexicali or Mexico. For the valley also, it’ll be dire. For the county when you look at the foods that are imported. You look at the services.”
Maritza Hurtado, Calexico’s former city mayor, is planning a demonstration to voice her disapproval of our president.
Hurtado said, “Our problem is not how it is being defined right now in the news and unfortunately, these are the times we’re going to have to tell our stories And that’s what we’re going to do. So hopefully we’ll have people who’ll recognize this struggle with our administration at this time and support us.”
