UTEP parking challenges more than minor inconvenience
As a parent of a University of Texas at El Paso student, I view campus parking challenges as more than a minor inconvenience. They are a safety concern, as well as an access and affordability issue.
Students often have classes spread across campus with only 10 to 15 minutes between them. Even when students plan and arrive early, parking near academic buildings is not guaranteed. Many are left circling lots, parking far from class, and rushing across campus to avoid being tardy. That stress follows them into the classroom and takes focus away from learning.
The issue becomes more serious for students who live on campus. After evening classes, off-campus jobs, or late study sessions, many return to find no available parking near their residence halls. Being forced to park far away and walk back alone after dark raises safety concerns. Student housing should include safe and reliable access, especially at night.
Long walks after dark, often while carrying backpacks or laptops, increase vulnerability. Limited lighting, low foot traffic, and isolated routes can make students feel unsafe.
While campus police and emergency call stations exist, they do not replace the expectation that students can safely reach their dorms.
Transparency about parking availability, stronger enforcement near residence halls, improved lighting, and expanded late-night shuttle or escort options would be responsible steps forward.
Kelly Sikora
Northeast El Paso
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Two wrongs don’t make a right
When former President Joe Biden, his administration along with Congress, both the Democrats and Republicans, allowed hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants to enter our borders at will, are they considered to be here illegally? Upon arrival they were given cell phones, places to stay and transportation to cities up north. Didn’t our government realize what adverse conditions they were creating?
Now the current administration is trying to correct the situation, but are they going about it the right way? A better solution is needed so our citizens are not put in harm’s way. Is a certain race being targeted as seen on the nightly news?
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Ramon Valenzuela
East El Paso
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Who is watching motorcyclist driving?
My daily commute to work, providing there are no accidents, takes me about 30 minutes. I take I-10, and for the most part, the traffic is bearable until motorcycles get in the way. And I don’t mean behind, in front or next to my car, but between cars! While not all motorcyclists are irresponsible drivers, those that are put themselves and others in danger.
Billboards on the freeway recommend watching for motorcycles and even reinforce to watch again, but who is watching their driving? Maybe a law should be implemented, no motorcycles use the freeway.
Eva Alderete
East El Paso
Borderland residents speak out against ICE detention center in Socorro
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The city of Socorro’s special council meeting was a full house, as residents of the Borderland spoke out against a new ICE detention in three massive warehouses that the Department of Homeland Security purchased on Feb. 11, 2026.
Equal coverage for all
This morning’s CBS news dedicated almost the entire 30 minutes to the heartbreak of newscaster Savannah Guthrie’s mother’s kidnapping. It is impossible not to see the parallel between the thousands of immigrants being kidnapped by ICE. Just like Guthrie, the families cannot do anything about it or even reach their loved ones. I wish we could get 30 minutes of CBS News to talk about that.
Robert Vines
Horizon City
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: LETTERS: UTEP parking challenges more than minor inconvenience