Laredo Times

Whether or not a wall gets built, Mayor Peter Saenz wants the community to benefit from the almost certain presence of federal agencies in the city because of its location on the border with Mexico.

Saenz told Texas Public Radio that the city’s position remains against a physical wall.

“What I’m saying is ‘allow the election as a referendum on the wall and on our posture toward the federal government.’ I perceive that the federal government may be treated as an enemy. The federal government is not an enemy,” he told Texas Public Radio.

With the election seven weeks away, Saenz wants to use it to help the city deal with its differences with the federal government. President Donald Trump may remain in office.

“And if that's the case, I want our city of Laredo to be fairly postured for any economic activity that we may have," he said. "And who else but the federal government that services the border area?” 

With security, immigration, trade, commerce, illegal activity and international political situations, Laredo's border location ensures it will always have a federal presence, he said.

Efforts by Saenz and others to expand an air Marine hangar is what he calls a first step. Serious talks are being held about creating a federal agency campus in the city. Wall or no wall, Joe Biden or Trump, Saenz still believes a federal base or a hub for federal agencies should be pursued because the border demands their presence.

But Saenz said open communication is missing. He’s bothered when hearing that the city should confront the federal government agencies already in town. He doesn’t want to see anything resembling anarchy in the city or to close the doors to federal agencies who need a presence in the area.

“When I see economic opportunities here by the federal government serving as an economic engine and carrying our city in the local economy for the foreseeable future, you know, that's a wonderful opportunity,” he said. “I wouldn't want a strictly militarized border."

The elimination of non-essential travel across the border continues until Sept. 21. Saenz said things are improving with the COVID-19 pandemic in Laredo, and Nuevo Laredo also is getting better.

“But I think we're still far removed from having the border entirely opened. I would truly want to see that,” he said.

When the border does fully open, he wants the federal government to medically screen people to be cautious with the coronavirus.