The border issue is most assuredly an important topic in this area. Yes, Republicans have capitalized on it, and Republicans know how to push the emotional buttons.
But in Del Rio two summers ago, there were an estimated 30,000 people at the border wanting to cross. The population of that city (itself) is 30,000. So the people wanting to cross were as many in number as the citizens of the town. And the townspeople were terrified.
What you describe in your post is something that I hear consistently from people who live in that area. They are afraid of "bailouts" constantly. They have had fences cut and animals get out on the roads and hit by cars. They find people in their barns and have had vehicles stolen. This is not the "average" immigrant wanting to find a job and have a better life. It is human smuggling. The "coyotes" take people's money and smuggle them across the border. The people are trusting. But if something happens and the coyotes are found and chased, they will abandon the people they are smuggling. These people are left anywhere - out in the middle of no where, and they are desperate to survive. So, they do things on the ranches that cause problems for the ranchers.
And right now, there are NO people at the Del Rio border waiting to cross. Probably because they are afraid of Trump and his gestapo. But the Border Patrol Unit for the Del Rio sector is posting comparison pictures all over social media comparing Trump's approach to Biden. The people in the area like the fact that the border is clear.
I seem to get in trouble on DU every time I mention this, and this post will probably be hidden. But the border definitely IS an issue that Democrats need to have an open and honest discussion about. It's a winning issue for Republicans because they play on the fear and hatred of the residents. With nothing from Democrats that counters that feeling - what exactly would anyone expect?
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