¿Sirve la zanja? Alcalde de Arica dice que no frenará por sí sola el ingreso irregular

In a conversation with Al Pan Pan, Vargas appreciates the government's push for legal changes to strengthen border security and facilitate deportations, but at the same time warns that the territorial reality imposes very concrete limitations. He explains that the Arica prison is already overcrowded, that there are no special facilities to detain migrants for long periods, and that if progress is to be made in this area, specific infrastructure would have to be built. Otherwise, the measure could become a promise difficult to implement in practice. The mayor also downplays the symbolic significance of the trench and the so-called "border shield." He acknowledges that it may help contain certain inflows, especially of vehicles or contraband, but maintains that it will not solve the migration problem on its own, because the border is too extensive and people can enter through multiple points. Along these lines, he suggests that the key lies more in technology, surveillance, and response capacity than in a single physical structure that has become a political emblem. Another important point of the interview is the distinction he makes between different types of migration. Vargas maintains that thousands of foreigners in Arica work, integrate, and contribute to the region, while the focus of concern should be on those who entered to commit crimes or are linked to criminal networks. Therefore, although he supports control measures, he does not advocate viewing all migration under the same logic of threat. Finally, the mayor addresses the government's proposal to eliminate property taxes for first-time homeowners over 65 and warns that, if implemented, municipalities will be the most affected. In his opinion, the impact will be especially severe for smaller municipalities, which depend more heavily on these resources to finance their expenses. Follow us on our social media channels and at https://www.elmostrador.cl/ Instagram:   / el_mostrador   Twitter:   / elmostrador   Facebook:   / elmostrador   TikTok:   / el_mostrador   #elmostrador #politics #opinion #news #currentaffairs #breaking