Vast US military base near border relies on Mexican labor

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AFP

FORT BLISS, United States (AFP) — This sprawling US Army base located at the edge of El Paso and skirting the border with Mexico is undergoing a major expansion that heavily relies on Mexicans for its construction.

Amid growing controversy in the United States over immigration -- legal and illegal -- the military is using foreign labor to build the base.

The expansion will also mean a population boom and a big infusion of cash for the poor city of El Paso, separated by the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

But who will build the new barracks and offices at Fort Bliss, and the shopping malls and restaurants outside the base?

Read more: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hGuI61H5YHoOQn7daTVLhCHFRKLw

[Maq]

1. Starts at the TOP with Cheney

[salin]

3. The issue that shifted a relative away from the GOP... that the GOP

was more committed to HUGE profits for themselves and cronies than to average US citizens - that GREED trumps any loyalty to serving the interests of the citizens of this county. This is just one more story to give credence to that sentiment.

[lovuian]

2. this is exactly the same thing that happened to Rome

immigration when the Rhine froze over the Huns came in droves
Starving people go where their life is better

[Oilwellian]

4. I'm sure the rightwing will love....

having their taxes pay for illegal aliens who are building our military bases. :crazy:

[0007]

6. Perhaps Mexico will be using the Air Base to bomb us!

Hey Gringo...we're building to our specification while you pay for it, Si?

[stephinrome]

5. big infusion of cash - ha!

The expansion will also mean a population boom and a big infusion of cash for the poor city of El Paso, separated by the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Can we think of no other way to "boost" the economy that building or expanding military bases!? And what little I've seen of towns with big bases, such as Killeen, Tx home to Ft Hood, looks to me like a ruined economy!

The same argument is being used here in Italy for the new base in Vicenza. No one mentions that tax payers in Italy (me!) pay around 40% of operating costs of these bases (Host Nation Support) AND they pay no VAT tax on fuel for heating, get discounts on gas for cars, etc. etc.

More on Vicenza: http://www.peaceandjustice.it/vicenza

Steph