'Still have a long way to go,' says McCain, Kyl about border security

By Natalie Lakosil
Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 5:27 PM MDT


U.S. Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl visited the Douglas border this weekend to discuss border security and to hold a town hall meeting with the public.


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The tour was led by Border Patrol agents and lasted an hour and a half.

“The progress made is tremendous but we still have a long, long way to go before our border is secure,” McCain said after touring the border.

The senators met with local ranchers and public figures in a private meeting to discuss their opinions on the border. When asked what people needed they virtually said more of everything, Kyl said.

Residents from Douglas, Hereford, Portal and other surrounding areas stood at the meeting to express their frustrations with the border.

"We came down here and moved right next to the border because we love the Hispanic people and we love the area, but we should not have to live in fear of drug smugglers," Hereford resident Joyce Bracht said at the meeting. "I can't ride my horses because it's too dangerous. That should be your number one responsibility to make us safe."

The senators “ten point plan” for the border was on display at the meeting. The plan includes adding more funding for Border Patrol agents as well as finishing the 700 miles of fencing not complete.

The fence has pieces of metal which block Border Patrol agents view into Mexico and that has to be redone for their security, McCain said. Technology also plays a large part in their plan, such as local law enforcement being able to communicate with federal authorities while near the border, in parts where cell phone service is often dropped.

The senators proposed operation “Streamline” as a consequence for people who cross illegally, such as jail time. This is already in effect in the Yuma sector.

When the senators were asked about a California law similar to Arizona House Bill 1070, and why Arizona is getting the negative reaction it is, McCain said, “I do not understand it and I think the law is mischaracterized inside and outside the state.” Senator Kyl added, “There is a political agenda hidden there for some people.”

Following the meeting, in a brief interview with Susan Krentz, the widow of murdered rancher Rob Krentz, she said, “The issue isn’t immigration but border security. We as Americans have the right to remain free and safe in our own home and land. Today, our personal safety has been taken. Douglas and the ranching community would not have suffered loss of life had the border been secured between its largest points, Douglas and Antelope Wells. We wouldn’t be here today. If we don’t stop and secure our border, we will all suffer and the sovereignty of our nation will be at stake. We urge the President and Congress to work with bipartisanship and protect our nation.”

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    TerryC wrote on Jul 13, 2010 5:19 AM:

    " Our so called representatives of the people don't want to stop illegals from coming in. I at least hope they got enough money from the drug dealers to at least make it worth their while, to bad their children will be paying the price along with the rest of us. Soon we will be calling this the United States of Mexico. It's a shame that we have elected cowards and traitors to supposedly do the will of the people. The only thing they've done is sold us out.Recently it was reported that illegals were helping by taking jobs that Americans don't want, have our Representatives looked at the unemployment rate. "

    Rehab wrote on Jul 7, 2010 5:06 AM:

    " Until the hunger for drugs in the U.S.is dealt with there is no President who can stop the criminal activity on the border or elsewhere. There is just too much money to be made. Look at El Paso, there is an Army fort there and the killing is only getting worse. "

    Leslie wrote on Jun 29, 2010 10:05 PM:

    " How about we get some senators who are iterested in more than their own careers? McCaina and Kyle are proud of never bringing federal dollars back to Arizona; if McCain is reelected, this will be the last time he walks anywhere near the border. "

    EC Page wrote on Jun 28, 2010 11:09 AM:

    " Arizona must mean little to the Feds and especially to the White House since it was so very easy for Obama to ask for 17,000 National Guardsmen to assist the cleanup in the South. We have constant border issues and he throws us a bone that promises 1200 Guardsmen, WOW, I guess our conservative state has such little voting power than why bother. I guess we have to wait until some high ranking liberal gets in trouble down here to raise any concern in Washington.
    Remember this the next time Washington makes a promise. The Southern states should wait for the next shoe to drop. "

    Larry Brown wrote on Jun 25, 2010 12:21 PM:

    " President Obama's administration will not secure the border or enforce immigration law in the interior because he does not want to remove the future voters of America he envisions. "

    Argos wrote on Jun 24, 2010 1:47 AM:

    " Senator McCain has no political convictions. It is sad to see how he plays the politics to win the senate seat again. Senator Kyl as well no different. It is about time that these long timers do understand a wall will not be enough and that they r causing too many problems at the people's expenses..................come on illegals have always been here, crime is down in AZ and all of the sudden this is a prblem when the border has been the most watched ever????!!! "

    Justme wrote on Jun 23, 2010 11:01 PM:

    " Perhaps if we legalized marijuana and taxed it, not only would it help us out of our financial situation, but it would also free up the DEA to go after real drugs like crack and cocaine. It would definitely slow up traffic on the border and stop the mafia style killings. "

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