A Federal law that prohibited Arizonas 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. Chie Aguilar. Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Gilbert. and I have agreed to form a working group of residents along the I19 Corridor to collaboratively decide what future security measures need to look like. A permanent checkpoint on 119 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 xray 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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Border Patrol immigrants border security undocumented