Tiny border town that depends on neighbors in Mexico opposes wall
1 HR AGO
Angela Kocherga, Mexico Border reporter
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PRESIDIO — In spring, when thunderstorms pop up and the power goes out in this tiny border town tucked in the Big Bend region of West Texas, there’s a simple solution. Turn to neighbors in Ojinaga, just across the Rio Grande.
“Somebody can flip a switch, so to speak, and we get Mexican power and vice versa,” said John Ferguson, Presidio's newly re-elected mayor.
Presidio, population 3,460, and Ojinaga, five times larger, rely on each other for just about everything. Firefighters and ambulances go back and forth as needed, an agreement born out of the towns’ shared isolation. People also cross the international bridge connecting the two towns to visit relatives, shop, work or go to school, often daily. Most locals have documents or dual citizenship.
Most residents of the towns share a view that a border wall proposed by President Trump — a campaign promise aimed at illegal immigration — is unnecessary and would hinder their way of life.
More:
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/mexico/2017/05/30/tiny-border-town-thatdepends-neighbors-mexico-opposes-wall
Editorials and other articles:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016186263
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