Rep.  Scott Peters on Friday criticized President Trump’s demand for $18 billion for a border wall in return for protecting the Dreamers as “a selfish appeal” to his right-wing political base.

“In a selfish political appeal to his base…Donald Trump wants to waste another $18 billion of taxpayer money on a wall that most Americans oppose and that won’t secure the border as well as other more innovative, less expensive technology,” Peters said in a statement.

“When it comes to border security, we need to prioritize halting drug and human trafficking and national security threats with new and up-to-date tactics,” Peters said, adding money would be better spent modernizing new threat detection technology, additional surveillance towers, camera systems, grounds sensors, helicopters, planes, and ships.

On Friday, the White House issued its demands for supporting permanent legal status for the “Dreamers,” people brought to the United States as children. The demands include $18 billion for 700 miles of  border wall, tightening the rules for allowing unaccompanied minors to enter the country and limiting “chain migration,” which allows citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members.

Peters, a Democrat who represents the 52nd District in central San Diego County, noted that San Diego is the busiest border crossing in the world and added that he believes most San Diegans view the border as an opportunity, not a threat.

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