For Bidders, Trump’s Wall is Pro-Business, Not Anti-Immigration – Fox Business
The deadline for contractors wishing to bid on construction of the Trump administrations proposed wall along the along the U.S.-Mexico border originally scheduled for this week -- was extended until next Tuesday. Some of those in the running include companies owned and operated by Hispanic Americans or immigrants.
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans signaled funding for the wall would likely not be included in the spending bill that Congress will vote to approve next month in order to prevent a government shutdown, and instead will be considered at a later date. Thats a new snag for the administration, and the more than 600 companies that have already submitted designs for the wall, 10% of which are considered Hispanic American owned, according to the Guardian.
Michael Evangelista-Ysasaga, CEO of the Texas-based Penna Group, put in a bid to design and construct the border wall. However, the decision wasnt an easy one for Evangelista-Ysasaga, the descendant of Mexican immigrants, who told FOX Business his company also employs many workers of Hispanic descent. He said he was motivated to submit a humane design when he became aware of some less civilized, even lethal, proposals.
It is our hope that once we secure our borders, we can have a national conversation about immigration reform. After 35 years of worsening immigration problems its become clear that the American people and our politicians will not pass any new laws regarding immigration reform without first enforcing the laws on the books, including securing our borders, Evangelista-Ysasaga said.
Mario Burgos, president and CEO of the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Burgos Group, put in a bid to provide general and electrical contracting services for the project, despite being the son of an Ecuadorian immigrant.
I value the contributions immigrants, like my father, grandparents and other members of our family have made and continue to make to this country, Burgos told FOX Business.
Continue Reading Below
ADVERTISEMENT
To Burgos, immigration policy and border security should be considered as two completely separate issues.
I think it is unfortunate that the political rhetoric particularly during the campaign has resulted in border security and immigration policy being discussed as though they are synonymous. They are not one and the same. I am not aware of a country in the world that does not want to control its borders. Immigration policy is a completely separate issue, Burgos said.
Over the weekend, the Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico condemned Mexicans who wish to help build Trump's planned border wall as immoral.
"Any company intending to invest in the wall of the fanatic Trump would be immoral, but above all, its shareholders and owners should be considered traitors to the homeland," the countrys largest Archdiocese wrote in its weekly editorial.
One Puerto Rico-based company that put in a bid for the assignment, San Diego Project Management, is certainly feeling societal pressure, experiencing blowback [from] many directions.
I do get calls from people from the mainland, begging me to desist and they end up calling me names, the companys managing partner Patrick Balcazar told FOX Business.
While Balcazar, whose firm is listed as one of the Hispanic companies involved according to The Guardian, said some detractors are against the proposed wall because they believe it is racially motivated, not all of the feedback has been negative.
In Puerto Rico, I am surprised how many people approve of me participating They recognize it for what it is, work. I am a businessman, and I do not make policy, everyone (except my wife) agrees with my effort to bring more work to Puerto Rico which is undergoing an economic crisis, Balcazar said.
According to preliminary guidelines released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency wants the wall to be between 18 feet to 30 feet tall and appear aesthetically pleasing when viewed from the U.S. It also needs to extend six feet underground to prevent tunneling, and should be unclimbable, the agency said.
A new CBP briefing on the wall shows the fiscal year 2018 budget blueprint will ask for about $2.6 billion to construct less than 75 miles worth of the wall, according to a press release from Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), a top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Committee. At that rate the wall would end up costing $66.9 billion in total. Earlier estimates from the Department of Homeland Security valued the project at $21.6 billion for 1,250 miles.
More here:
For Bidders, Trump's Wall is Pro-Business, Not Anti-Immigration - Fox Business
- Failure on immigration reform comes at a high cost for Texas, San Antonio - San Antonio Express-News - March 25th, 2025 [March 25th, 2025]
- DHS closes office that advocated for migrants calling it a roadblock to immigration reform - The Independent - March 25th, 2025 [March 25th, 2025]
- Construction industry braces for higher costs due to tariffs and immigration reform - KGW.com - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Democrats aim to reverse Floridas illegal immigration reform with new legislation - WFLA - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Callously deporting longtime U.S. residents is yet another failure of Trumps immigration reform efforts | Editorial - The Philadelphia Inquirer - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Who Is Jeanette Vizguerra? ICE Arrests Immigration Reform Activist And Undocumented Mother - Times Now - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Demonstrators gather in south Omaha to protest immigration reform - Nebraska News Service - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Catholic Bishops Along the US-Mexico Border Advocate for Immigration Reform - Mwakilishi.com - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- Letter: Comprehensive immigration reform is needed - Quad-City Times - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Media Advisory: FAIR, Sheriffs and State Legislators to Hold D.C. Press Conference Urging Border Security Funding and Immigration Reform - PR Newswire - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Letter to the Editor: Immigration Reform Would Benefit Wisconsin Farmers - Exponent - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- OK, No Immigration Reform (But Lets Use The Laws Already On The Books) - A Groundbreaking Examination of U.S. Immigration Policies by Veteran Lawyer... - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- Legislators Analise Ortiz, Katherine Maranda and Casar Aguilar call for immigration reform - Yahoo - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Its well past time for U.S. immigration reform (again) - Angelus News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Protestors take to the streets to call for immigration reform in Los Angeles - uscannenbergmedia.com - February 9th, 2025 [February 9th, 2025]
- Archbishop Prez on the Need for Balanced, Compassionate, and Comprehensive Immigration Reform - CatholicPhilly.com - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Bishops across US defend migrants, calling for immigration reform in justice and mercy - Our Sunday Visitor - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Project Red Card aims to ease concerns over Trump immigration reform in Latino communities - WCNC.com - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Power to the people: governor, legislators want voters to weigh in on immigration reform - Central Florida Public Media (previously WMFE) - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Florida lawmakers file extensive immigration reform bills ahead of special session - WJXT News4JAX - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Executive Orders Are a Good Start, But We Need Lasting Immigration Reform. Here's Where to Start | Opinion - Newsweek - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Project Red Cards aims to ease concerns over Trump immigration reform in Latino communities - WCNC.com - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- David Reel: Addressing border security and immigration reform - Broad + Liberty - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- NMPF hoping for caution on immigration reform - Agri-News - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- DOJ Letter Bolsters Drummond Appeal of Injunction Against State Immigration Reform Law - Ponca City Now - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Emotional Selena Gomez breaks down in tears, vows to support immigration reform amid deportation policies - AS USA - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- 'El Norte' Director Says His 1983 Sundance Classic on Immigration Reform Is 'More Relevant Today' | Video - TheWrap - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Chicago mayor reiterates opposition to incoming Trump admin's immigration reform - Fox News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Mann eager for immigration reform tied to border security, deportation, work permits - Kansas Reflector - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Rockford groups advocate for immigration reform ahead of Trump Administration - WREX.com - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Peoples March brings hundreds to Center City calling for abortion rights, immigration reform, and more - Billy Penn - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Jesuit Conference Office of Justice and Ecology Calls for Just and Humane Immigration Reform - Jesuits.org - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Idaho Sheriffs' Association calls for immigration reform and enforcement action - Idaho News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Rep. Adam Gray looking forward to working with Trump on immigration reform - KTXL FOX 40 Sacramento - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Changing minds on immigration reform means changing voters priorities, not just their positions - LSE - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- USCCB issues Catholic Elements of Immigration Reform - Diocese of Raleigh - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- NWRA commentary: Comprehensive immigration reform could be legacy defining moment for the second Trump administration - Waste Today Magazine - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- An Immigration Reform Agenda for the 119th Congress - Federation for American Immigration Reform - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Immigration reform must end funding of states with sanctuary cities - Waterbury Republican American - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- YORK: Written off for dead, immigration reform could still live - The Albany Herald - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Floridas Impressive Effort to Stop Illegal Immigration Still Has One Item to Fix - Federation for American Immigration Reform - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Letter to the Editor | Trump's promised immigration reform won't happen - The Daily News - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Trump makes picks that he thinks will help his immigration reform plans - KENS5.com - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Hirono co-introduces immigration reform bill - Spectrum News - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- OPINION: Beyond walls and raids: A case for humane immigration reform - The Nevada Independent - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- OPINIONS: Redefining the American Dream: Why Immigration Reform Cant Wait - The Proxy Report - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- With control of White House and Congress, will Republicans pass immigration reform, repeal Obamacare? - Northeastern University - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- ImmigrationProf Blog: Immigration Article of the Day: What Congress Needs to Break the Immigration Reform Stalemate by Maryam Stevenson - Law... - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- US Catholic Bishops Call for Immigration Reform Emphasizing Fairness and Humanity - Mwakilishi.com - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Urgent immigration reform needed to protect migrant workers in the care sector, Work Rights Centre says - Electronic Immigration Network - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Tariffs, tax cuts, and immigration reform: Trump's blueprint for second term - The Business Standard - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- With Immigration Reform on the Table, Advocates Put Human Face on Califs Migrant Farmworkers - San Diego Voice and Viewpoint - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- WHAT DID THE CANDIDATES SAY: Immigration reform on the City College Community Agenda, November 2024 - City Times - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- As a Latina Daughter of Immigrants, I'm Voting For Immigration Reform - POPSUGAR - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Immigration reform imperative to addressing workforce shortages in long-term care: speaker - McKnight's Senior Living - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Mi Familia Vota and SEIU rally for workers' rights and immigration reform in Nevada - News3LV - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- In the Age of Trump, the Business Lobby Has Strayed from Immigration Reform - ProPublica - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Race For IL-11: Evans On Immigration Reform, Hopes To Bring Back A "First Safe Country" Policy - WREX.com - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Another View: Baseball and immigration reform could be on a collision course - Marin Independent Journal - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Illegal Immigration Continued at Record Levels in FY 2024, Even as the Biden-Harris Administration Went to Great Lengths to Hide It - Federation for... - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Essex County greenhouse growers not impacted by immigration reform announced Thursday - CTV News Windsor - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- US Election 2024: Kamala Harris calls out Trump's fear-mongering tactics, accuses him of sabotaging immigration reform | Today News - Mint - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- How immigration reform will supercharge the labor market, reduce national debt by over $600 billion in the next 2 decades: Research Affiliates CIO -... - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Harris calls for tougher border security, immigration reform in Arizona - The Hill - September 28th, 2024 [September 28th, 2024]
- Change Required: Immigration Reform is an Economic Necessity - Research Affiliates - Commentaries - Advisor Perspectives - September 28th, 2024 [September 28th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - KFVS - September 28th, 2024 [September 28th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - KCTV 5 - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - KSWO - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - WIS News 10 - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - KTRE - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - KNOE - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - KMVT - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - WTVM - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - WTOK - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - WAVE 3 - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - Gray DC - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - WAFB - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform one of several top focus areas in 2024 presidential election - KY3 - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Daily Minute: Horse racing returns; coalition calls for immigration reform; Northeast football makes comeback - Lincoln Journal Star - September 24th, 2024 [September 24th, 2024]
- Immigration reform can start with repeal of the 3/10-year bar | Op-Ed - The Seattle Times - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]