Immigrant Xpress Shuttle To Serve Borderland Corridor

The dark, deadly side of illegal immigration may soon look a little brighter thanks to a cooperative effort between New Mexico and Texas.

The Bienvenidos Bus (Welcome Bus) has plans to start rolling next month as it services two routes daily from the International Border crossing in El Paso to Las Cruces.

A local humanitarian group formed a coalition they call Goodbye Gadsden, referring to the southern sections of Arizona and New Mexico acquired by the United States from Mexico in the Gadsden Purchase of 1854. The coalition states their goal is to provide a friendly welcome and safe passage upon illegally entering the US so immigrants don’t have to travel on foot through the desert.

Through a series of rallies, strikes, and bribes the Goodbye Gadsden group convinced lawmakers of both states to earmark public funds to get the bus program started. Fares, to be set at $1 per person, won’t even come close to offsetting operating costs – leading officials to propose a new 10% tax increase at area taco shops which some are calling the “Burrito Tax”.

The El Paso station, currently under construction near the base of the Bridge of the Americas, will run two buses daily on a first-come, first-served basis to those crossing the border from Mexico. Riders will have the option of traveling as far as Las Cruces, but the route includes several stops along the way including the dairy farms in Vado and the cotton fields south of Mesilla, giving newcomers the opportunity to look for work. The route will terminate at the Human Services building on the east side so new residents can get signed up for public assistance as soon as possible. The buses plan to have a guide on board informing immigrants on how they can qualify for free food, medical care, and government housing. Newcomers will be reminded that having as many children as possible will increase their chances of success and prosperity as they acclimate in their new country. Information pamphlets, forms, and pencils will be made available during the 55-minute ride from the border so applicants can have their paperwork ready upon arrival.

Critics of the program are disputing the financial strain this will put on an already-poor economy and that local infrastructure isn’t enough to support such a large, rapid increase in population.

“I’m trying to figure out why I’m forced to surrender 30% of my income each year to support unskilled immigrants punching out a baby a year,” said one area man, requesting anonymity. “I don’t care if they move here, I just ain’t payin’ for it anymore.”

Critics are also demanding to know why the government has erected a multi-billion dollar border wall that will ultimately destroy local habitats and wildlife, only to turn around and provide a shuttle bus for illegal immigrants.

“Yeah, well I think we all know that wall is just for show, so the world can look at satellite images of it and see how tough the US is,” the area man continued. “But the reality is that the average American taxpayer has had just about enough and is ready to fight back. In fact, I’m heading over to a riot at City Hall in a few minutes if you want to join in.”

As the Bienvenidos Bus program is very new, we will continue to follow the story and report on its development in future issues.