Last week, governors from the US and Mexico border met in Austin, TX for the 24th annual meeting of the Border Governors Conference. Ten border governors from the U.S. and Mexico border met for two days to discuss economic and security issues facing the two countries. The conference involves the governors of California, Arizona, New Mexico and the Mexican states of Sonora, Baja, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.

Traditionally these conferences focused on interests like trade, agriculture, water, the environment, education and health, science and technology since the Border Governors Conference began in 1980. With a debate raging in the US over the immigration policy, it is not a surprise border security dominated the talks this year.

The governors from the US seized this opportunity to share their concerns over the issue of border security.

The international border governor’s conference opened with Texas Gov. Rick Perry saying border security is needed to fight crime and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger saying it is needed to fight possible pandemics like avian flu.

But governors from the Mexican states said border security also is about building the economy of Mexico so that there are good jobs to keep Mexican workers at home.

One Mexican official, Juan Bosco Marti, director general of Pan American del Norte, said the two countries need to balance trade with security: “More bridges and fewer walls are needed.”

As the governors met behind closed doors, there were several protests taking place throughout the city. Local and national organizations upset over the plight of immigrant soldiers fighting for the US military had scheduled several protests to coincide with the 24th annual Border Governors Conference.

Protesters gathered outside the Capitol and the nearby Governor’s Mansion demanding an end to the militarization of the US/Mexico border and to immigrant raids and roundups. Another group protested outside of the Four Seasons Hotel where Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was holding a luncheon to raise money for his campaign.

Via / San Antonio Express-News & KXAN
Image Via / Border Governors Conference