Mission, Texas, is a welcoming city, one that values the contribution of immigrants, and wants to see our city grow. We do not need border barriers like walls and fences taking property from our neighbors or walling off parks like Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park.

Mayor Salinas turned his back on his constituents when he commented to the Washington Post,* "The best thing that could happen to us is that we go ahead and build the fence and see if we can stop some of the illegals from coming across."

As residents of Mission, we reject the use of the dehumanizing "I-word" and reject Trump's border wall.

Mayor Salinas should take back his hateful and fear-mongering comments and join his constituents in opposing Trump's border wall.

* "These border towns could be first to get Trump’s “big, beautiful” wall," Washington Post, April 24, 2017, available online.