[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 64 (Friday, April 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SOUTHERN ARIZONA BORDER SECURITY IS UNACCEPTABLE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 20, 2007

  Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, the insufficient border security in my 
district in southern Arizona is unacceptable. Our inspection 
infrastructure is deficient, and this is the critical reason why the 
Tucson Sector has more drugs seized and illegal immigrants apprehended 
than any other sector bordering Mexico.
  The U.S. Border Patrol agents in southern Arizona seize an average of 
2,670 pounds of drugs and apprehend 2,000 illegal immigrants every day. 
We must end this crisis and secure the border now.
  Currently, we have no idea how much contraband or how many people are 
actually coming across. However, what we do know is that Tucson has 
become the largest land corridor in the country for marijuana and the 
most heavily used route in the Nation for illegal immigrants.
  While all of Arizona requires additional border security measures, 
some communities are affected more than others. The current make-shift 
checkpoint on I-19 just north of Tubac creates an intolerable situation 
for nearby residents. Human and drug smugglers can easily circumvent or 
penetrate it, and there has been a recent increase in violence and 
crime. Residents, tourists and business people have also been 
inconvenienced by the checkpoint in Tubac because it has led to a 
massive increase in traffic.
  A Federal law that prohibited Arizona's development of a permanent 
checkpoint in southern Arizona was rejected by the House of 
Representatives last year. However, at my request U.S. Border Patrol 
Chief David Aguilar agreed that no permanent checkpoint will be planned 
for the Tucson sector without significant and direct community 
involvement. Southern Arizonans must work with our law enforcement 
agencies to create a plan for securing our borders and reducing the 
violence against citizens and immigrants.
  Chief Aguilar, Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Gilbert, and I 
have agreed to form a working group of residents along the I-19 
Corridor to collaboratively decide what future security measures need 
to look like.
  A permanent checkpoint on I-19 can only be successful in reducing the 
total number of drugs and undocumented individuals if several 
additional measures are taken. These measures include active community 
involvement in the planning for the checkpoint and an overall network 
of border security technology that includes surveillance cameras, an 
array of sensors and vehicle x-ray technology similar to what exists at 
our ports of entry.
  I believe strongly that decisions are best made at the local level. 
The recent change in Federal law provides citizens and law enforcement 
officials an opportunity to work collaboratively to secure our border, 
protect our communities, and foster a secure and vibrant economy.

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