Republican Presidential Hopeful Blasts Three Border Mayors

EL PASO, TX – Republican Presidential hopeful Tom Tancredo commented on allegations that the mayors of three cities along the border denied access to lands near the border to state officials.

Last week, an Associated Press story stated El Paso Mayor John Cook, as well as the mayors of Brownsville and Del Rio,interfered with the work of state officials working with the Department of Homeland Security. The officials needed access to federal land near the Rio Grande to gather information that would help the federal agency plan for a new 700-mile fence along the border.

At the time, Cook told ABC-7 he never denied any access to any government officials. According to him, the city does not own any land near the river and would not have the authority to deny access to anyone. “I wouldn’t have the authority to prohibit anyone from entering their own property,” said the mayor.

According to Cook, the author of the article never contacted him to confirm any of the information posted on the story.

Monday, Tancredo made a comment based on the information from the AP article. He said the border fence should be built north of the three border cities. “These mayors have already demonstrated that their hearts and loyalties lie with Mexico,” said Tancredo, ” perhaps, they’d feel more comfortable if their cities were geographically located there as well.”

Tancredo has been one of the most outspoken proponents of the border fence, which would cost more than one billion dollars.

According to Cook, Tancredo’s comments were “a reflection of his lack of intellegence.” Some City Council members told ABC-7 Tancredo’s comments demonstrate he does not understand the situation. For him to suggest El Paso and other border cities are not part of the U.S. is ridiculous, they added.

“He is out of his mind and has gone totally nuts … we do not need that type of representation,” City Representative Alejandro Lozano.

“It is outlandish, incendiary and it’s meant to divide us as a community between anglos and hispanics … he really doesn’t understand what our community is,” City Representative Susie Byrd.

ABC-7 contacted Tancredo’s office Tuesday and asked for his response to the comments made by City Council members. “Frankly, their actions speak for themselves. These folks seem more interested in pandering to Mexico than securing America,” was his only comment.

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Written and reported for broadcast by Darren Hunt

Written for the web by Joe Villasana