BISBEE �” “Talk is over, time to act. We demand action.”
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“I believe this proposal has brought the problem to the forefront. Now, our legislators are asking to meet with us,” a determined association public spokesman Patrick Bray said in an interview. “We may see some quick actions on a few of the points, but we won’t rest until all are accomplished.”
Gov. Jan Brewer met with ranchers late Tuesday to discuss their concerns and she agrees the illegal activity has gone on for too long. “Arizona roads and open spaces have become thoroughfares for illegal alien traffic and smuggling operations �” drugs, arms and humans,” she stated in a news release. “Recently, an Arizona rancher in southeastern Cochise County was shot and killed, with evidence suggesting the crime was part of border-related criminal activity. I visited the area, and I’ve seen firsthand what needs to be done.”
Over the past 18 months, members of the cattle association have been compiling information from research and interviews to offer potential solutions to this growing border violence problem.
The plan states, “The U.S./Mexico border in southern Arizona has become a lawless region. Criminals, bandits and an international organized crime unit are operating with impunity in the region �- These entities are extremely violent and dangerous and they have now succeeded in creating terror in Southern Arizona as they have in northern Mexico.”
One of the first suggestions is to inform the media and the public about the uniqueness and remoteness of border ranch lands. The sheer openness of these unpopulated areas provide a wide corridor for human and drug smugglers. Illegal border crossers who rob, damage fences, run drugs and vandalize homes present a threat that needs to be addressed in the media without making the ranchers look like hot heads, the group said. The current dangerous situation is not a contrivance �” it’s real when taken in the context that people who want to do harm to the U.S. can just as easily cross illegally as a Honduran worker looking for a better life.
“We are hoping the media will keep the story alive and cover these issues,” Bray said. “I don’t think the public understands what the people on the border face day-to-day.”
“The U.S. Arizona/Mexico border is out of control,” the ranchers continued. “Achieving immediate border security is the most critical success factor in protecting U.S. citizens from smuggling and the extensive amount of criminal acts caused by it. The unacceptable risks associated with not knowing who crosses the border poses a grave threat and increases the vulnerability to a likely terrorist attack. The political and lengthy immigration debate is a serious distraction in the battle to credibly secure the border.”
Members of the group say cumulative financial costs have become intolerable and could increase consumer costs and ranch failures.
Cochise County Supervisor Richard Searle said in an interview, “We have had this problem for years. The government has known of these problems for years. We even called a state of emergency down here a few years ago. But, you have to remember that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Jon Kyl are just three out of 500 legislators. It gets frustrating. We have been beating this drum and no one takes it seriously. We went to Washington, but they didn’t have a clue. They didn’t care.”
Giffords met with ranchers recently in the county to talk about the situation. Last week, she wrote to executives of AT&T and Verizon Wireless to establish communications towers in the unserved area of eastern Cochise County.
“In my discussions with ranchers since the murder of Mr. Krentz, the lack of reliable cell phone service has been brought up again and again. They told us that one of the most important steps that must be taken is to improve electronic communication in the area. They let us know how fearful they and their families have become as a result of the murder of their friend and neighbor,” Giffords wrote.
Giffords, Sen. John McCain, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and the Obama administration called for National Guard troops to help at the border, not only due to Krentz’s murder, but to address the high crime the eastern portion of the county is experiencing from suspected illegal immigrants.
State Treasurer Dean Martin, who is running for governor, stood in support of the ranchers’ ideas and said, “It is unacceptable that our borders have been allowed to become so porous that criminals can operate with near impunity and that lives and properties are literally at stake.”
Martin heaps blame on Brewer for not taking action and on former Gov. Napolitano for vetoing a request to deploy the National Guard and put radar camera equipment and a physical fence along the border. “�- I urge state and federal leaders to act upon the cattle growers’ plan immediately. These are reasonable measures. It’s time to set politics aside and do what’s right for the people of Arizona.”
However, Brewer is taking a strong stand.
“With regard to border security, I am not taking ‘No,’ for an answer from the federal government. I’ve written President Obama and repeated my numerous requests for additional troops. I will not accept the notion that border security is a responsibility of Arizona and the other border states, but I will do what is necessary to protect this great state if additional federal assistance is not forthcoming.” She did not elaborate on what measures she could or would take if the feds fail to come through. Though calls were made to Giffords, McCain, DHS and the Border Patrol, none had an opportunity to review the proposal and so reserved comment for the time being.
Arizona Cattle Growers Association’s 18-point plan to restore border security includes:
• Judicial and law enforcement systems shall recognize and apply an enforcement mechanism to prosecute those entering the U.S illegally as felons and bar them from ever working or receiving residency visa status in the U.S.
• Immediately deploy the military to the Arizona/Mexico border.
• Establish permanent forward operating bases adjacent to the border with one every twelve miles.
• Overhaul and add teeth to the pursuit and apprehension policies for law enforcement to assure deterrence and protect U.S. residents and state authorities from potential harm.
• Authorize the use of force in the interdiction of vehicles and aircraft illegally crossing the border.
• Enforce existing laws without exception. Streamline and expedite deportation of illegal aliens.
• Add 3,000 Border Patrol agents to the force along Arizona’s border by 2011.
• Increase funding for the Stonegarden Program and make it permanent.
• Expedite deployment of modern digital radio technology to the Arizona/New Mexico border.
• Substantially increase Border Patrol mobile surveillance units and operators.
• Deploy air support on or near the border with Mexico.
• Establish mandatory cellular coverage for remote non-service areas.
• Fund and increase more mounted patrols on the border.
• Establish a single border patrol sector comprised of Willcox to Douglas in Arizona and Lordsburg, New Mexico into its own sector.
• Streamline federal claims processes for recovering damages caused by illegal aliens burglaries, vandalism and ranch infrastructure and livestock losses, including fires.
• Adequately fund state and federal attorney’s offices to assure timely prosecution of border-related offenders. Stiffen prosecutorial immigration and narcotics policies.
• Measure success of the programs through a monthly disclosure of all crimes suspected and committed by illegal alien activities. Establish operational transparency for Arizona residents of the illegal activities in their respective sectors to include county law enforcement statistics and incidents.
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