'Invasion' billboard sparks discussion

An immigration-related billboard unveiled alongside the Katy Freeway yesterday is raising some eyebrows from people on both sides of the immigration issue, KTRK reports. The sign, which faces westbound traffic on the Katy at Heights Boulevard, was paid for by Grassfire.org and U.S. Border Watch; it reads, in bold red, white and blue lettering, "Stop the invasion — secure our borders."

Steve Elliott with Grassfire.org told the Chronicle that the billboard is intended to let people know about conditions along the U.S.-Mexico border. "Citizens started waking up to the crisis of illegal immigration. ... What we want to accomplish is to help engage citizens in this debate," he said. "The vast majority (of citizens) agree on the issue of border security." (Those who don't, we assume, will be spurred to action as they speed past the billboard en route to Ikea.)

Whatever the intent, the sign is getting attention, even if it is of the TV news variety: Saul Gloria, a Houstonian whom KTRK interviewed, said immigrants "are going to come anyway. Are you going to stop them? Who is going to stop them?" Another resident, Ramon Rosales, had a more pointed opinion: "When you see signs like that, who do you look at? It's not the Indians. It's not the Iranians. It's the Mexicans, and I think that is racial."

"Invasion" billboards have already been put up in Dallas, Liberty, Atlanta, Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego and Winnfield, La. At least thirteen more are planned, according to Grassfire.org.