{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-requests-answers-about-concertina-wire-removal-us-mexico", "Congressman Gonzalez Requests Answers About Concertina Wire Removal on U.S.-Mexico Border", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) on Thursday requested information fromU.S. Customs and Border ProtectionCommissioner Kevin K. McAleenan, citing concerns from constituentsregarding the continued presence and pending removal of concertina wire along the border.\nWithborderwall funding in peril for PresidentDonaldTrump, Congressman Gonzalezisconcerned about the orderly and complete removal of concertina wire, which presents a threat to wildlife andpeople living in South Texas and on the Southern border of the United States.In a recent letterto Commissioner McAleenan,CongressmanGonzalezrequested answers about where the wire was placed, and the plan for removing it.\nThe residents of the Rio Grande Valleydeserve answers to these questions and for the federal government to be responsible in theirdoings,Congressman Gonzalez said.We have learned that thefederalgovernment has a poor record of cleaning up construction sites, and when the military is also involved, orders need to be clear and thorough, always keeping in mind the good stewardship of federal resources.\nCongressman Gonzalez has repeatedly opposed the militarization of the border, and the border wall. Some of his most recent work culminated in an officialcommenton theborderwall.\n\nBelow is the letter in full:\n\nDecember 19, 2018\n\nThe Honorable Kevin K. McAleenan\nCommissioner\nU.S. Customs and Border Protection\n1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\nWashington, DC 20229\n\nCommissioner McAleenan,\nI write today to express serious concerns that I share with my constituents about the militarization of our border, and the deployment of concertina wire. On behalf of our local leaders, who have already expressed their concerns to the agents and leadership on the ground, I request that your agency take personal responsibility for ensuring complete removal of this dangerous wire.\nThe deployment of this wire, as well as the militarization of the border is having a palpable effect on U.S.-Mexico relations and the daily lives of many who live in border communities like mine.We have U.S. Citizens who work in Mexico, Mexican citizens who work in the U.S., and relationships between companies on both sides of the border that are suffering due to the presence of U.S. troops, concertina wire, and other elements associated with armed conflict. My constituents and I understand that wire is being removed in certain areas, and there are plans to remove more.As such, I am requesting further information about these plans and ask that you please respond to my questions below about this process with specificity.\n Where was concertina wire deployed in Texas? Your response may include a map showing the location, or written statements providing reasonable information showing the same.\n\tHow much of the wire was permanently affixed to other border deterrent measures, and where?\n\tWhen can we expect the wire you identified in response 1 and 2 to be removed?\n\tHave you had reports of injuries to U.S. Citizens because of the wire?\n\tHave you had reports of wildlife getting caught in the wire?\n\tIf you are not able to provide a response to 4 or 5 above, why not?\n \nShould you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Fred Castro, Legislative Counsel, atfred.castro@mail.house.gov, or via phone at (202) 225-2531.\nRegards,\n\nVicente Gonzalez\nMember of Congress\n\n\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-requests-answers-about-concertina-wire-removal-us-mexico"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3980648946017027, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}