Valley lawmakers denounce Trump remarks on wall, immigration: President said those opposing barrier are putting lives at risk

During a more than 75-minute speech in Phoenix Tuesday night, President Donald J. Trump said those who opposed a southern border wall were responsible for putting American lives at risk.

He spoke on topics related to immigration, specifically so-called sanctuary cities, and took issue with politicians opposed to the border wall.

He called out Democratic congressmen who opposed the wall, as obstructionists, and said they were putting people's lives at risk by doing so.

"Now the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it. But believe me, if we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump said. "Let me be very clear to Democrats in Congress who oppose a border wall and stand in the way of border security: You are putting all of America's safety at risk. You're doing that. You're doing that."

On Wednesday all three Valley Congressmen responded to Trump's remarks on the wall.

U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, said he's opposed to a border wall structure — not against protecting the border.

"Even those of us who are opposed to the border wall agree we need border security," Vela said. "But the fact that (Trump) thinks that $1.6 billion is the answer to national security, just shows you how ill-informed he is."

Vela, referring to Trump's claim that those who oppose the border wall were putting American lives at risk, underscored the fatal result that came from the protests in Charlottesville, Virginia.

He said the president's "dangerous rhetoric" put those Americans' lives at risk.

Trump, before his speech, met with U.S. Border Patrol officials at the Yuma Border Patrol Sector early Tuesday afternoon.

He said he respected and cherished agents with both Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"… I heard first hand from the frontline agents about the security threats they confront each and every day, and I pledged my continued resolve to them, and all of you, to keep our country safe," Trump said.

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, said he was still opposed to construction of a border wall along the southern border.

"(The wall would be) a waste of taxpayer money that would put us on the wrong side of history. The American people have grown weary of empty promises, partisan politics, government shutdowns and legislative logjams. They expect their elected officials to work together to keep our country safe," Gonzalez said in a prepared statement.

Trump used the campaign-style rally to double-down on his stance on national security.

Trump also said he would work to get rid of sanctuary cities.

"The most sacred duty of government is to protect the lives of its citizens, and that includes securing our borders, and enforcing our immigration laws," Trump told his enthusiastic supporters Tuesday night at the Phoenix Convention Center.

In Texas, Senate Bill 4, designed to aid in the apprehension of people who are in the country illegally and to deter "sanctuary cities," was approved.

Despite the bill's passage, Hidalgo, El Paso, Maverick, Travis and Cameron Counties, have come out against SB 4, which will go into effect next month and requires local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. It also allows police officers to inquire about the immigration status of anyone they lawfully detain.

El Paso and Maverick Counties are plaintiffs in the lawsuit against SB 4, which was filed in a San Antonio federal court in May.

"One by one we are finding the gang members, the drug dealers and the criminals who prey on our people. We are throwing them out of the country … ," the president said.

Trump said a border wall on the southern border was "absolutely necessary," and would be built even if he has to shut down the government to do so.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, called Trump's push for the border wall the most ineffective portion of Tuesday night's speech.

"If President Trump is serious about solving the issues at the border, he will look toward building a consensus starting with leaders who know the border, rather than trying to score political points when he needs them the most," Cuellar said. "Even his border wall allies, such as Speaker Paul Ryan, agree that shutting down the Government to fund the wall isn't in the best interests of anybody."

Vela said the battle lies ahead in the next month, as the Senate will have to decide by the end of September if it will fund the wall for $1.6 billion requested by the administration and approved by the House in late July.