El Paso State Senator Says New State Website Spreading ‘Anti-Immigrant Hate’

AUSTIN, Texas – There’s a new front in cyberspace in the ongoing battle over border security in Texas.

Republican Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples officially unveiled a website put together by his agency titled “ProtectYourTexasBorder.”

The aim, Staples says, is to provide a place for farmers and ranchers living on remote stretches of the border to document their brushes with border criminals.

“There are high-speed chases on my property,” said one farmer in a taped interview provided by Staples’ office.

But when the site actually launched last week, The Texas Tribune reports anti-illegal immigrant comments were posted on the website’s message board.

“Kill ’em all,” wrote on person. Another suggested the use of “land mines” and “tiger traps.”

“If we started shooting the bad guys, they will get the message,” read another post.

El Paso State Senator Jose Rodriguez told ABC-7 the website is facilitating hate mongering.

Rodriguez asked Commissioner Staples to take down the website.

It’s still up. But the message has been wiped and all comments are now moderated for anything hateful.

Rodriguez told KVIA he is sympathetic to those who say they’re living in fear on the border, but thinks the state shouldn’t be spending money this way, not now.

“It’s not a good use of taxpayer dollars when we need to balance our budget,” he said.