U.S. Senators Visit U.S.-Mexico Border: Guess What They Saw
April 1, 2013 | The Huffington Post by Michale Dear

“Once upon a time:

Four US Senators came to visit the Arizona border. Hosted by John McCain, Republican of Arizona, they were members of the so-called ‘Gang of 8’ — a bipartisan group currently drafting proposals for comprehensive immigration reform.

During their visit, the senators reportedly witnessed a migrant trying to scale the border wall before being apprehended by authorities. Such drama! (And such a coincidence…)

But being on the line does provoke fresh insights. “You can read and you can study and you can talk, but until you see things it doesn’t become reality,” said Senator Charles Schumer, Democrat of New York, who was touring the border for the first time.

McCain also touted the value of first-hand experience: “I wish every member of the United States Senate and Congress could see the border,” although he promptly put his own spin on what the Gang was witnessing: “Only when you can see the expanse, the difficulties and the challenges of the border, can you really appreciate the need for our border security.”

Arizona Republican Jeff Flake added his opinion that, beyond security, any reform should foster economic ties between both nations.”