With Kolbe gone, permanent I-19 checkpoints probably on their way

By Jim Lamb, Inside Tucson Business
Posted: Friday, Nov 10, 2006 - 02:57:52 pm MST

The Border Patrol’s temporary, mobile checkpoints on Interstate 19 between Tucson and Nogales will probably be replaced by a permanent one, authorities say.

Opponents of the idea argue a permanent, stationary checkpoint isn’t as much of a deterrent as the temporary ones that can be moved periodically. Further, they say, the permanent checkpoint would create a barrier that would be bad for business.

But the Border Patrol says permanent checkpoints are more efficient, allow better communications and will help move traffic faster.

The retirement of U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe at the end of this year is a major factor in the impending change. In his 22-year term, Kolbe consistently blocked funding for a permanent checkpoint in the Border Patrol’s Tucson sector which includes the I-19 corridor.

Currently, the temporary checkpoint is in Santa Cruz County and moves between Exit 25, Palo Parado, and Exit 42, Agua Linda.


Although the political climate might seem right to establish a permanent checkpoint on I-19, there are still plenty of hurdles to overcome.

One is where to locate it, said Lou Maheda, supervisory agent for the Border Patrol supervisory agent, as he worked one morning at the termporary checkpoint.

“Here we can only operate two lanes,” he said. “At permanent stations there are more lanes, some for just trucks and buses, the others for cars.”

The Santa Cruz Valley Citizens Council in Tubac is an organization that has consistently opposed a permanent checkpoint. Members say a permanent checkpoint loses the element of surprise that is inherent in a temporary one that moves frequently. They also say smugglers or illegal aliens would simply go around a permanent checkpoint.

Maheda said the Border Patrol knows that and would patrol near the checkpoints.

Members of the Santa Cruz Valley Citizens Council also have expressed concerns over the psychological barrier a permanent checkpoint creates, which could deter visitors coming to Tubac from Tucson and other points north.

At one meeting, Gary Brasher, president, said council members were always aware of the need for a checkpoint, but hoped it would relocate frequently to lessen the impact of a “second border.”

Last week, Brasher acknowledged that it appeared there would be a permanent checkpoint, and said the council would welcome working with the Border Patrol and perhaps be involved with helping to decide where it is located.

Agent Maheda said a permanent checkpoint is part of the Border Patrol’s strategy of deterrence - keeping illegal aliens and smugglers from trying to cross the border in the first place, then assigning agents in high-traffic areas to catch those who do get across. He said a permanent checkpoint would include space to incarcerate those arrested and would allow for more sophisticated ways to check identifications.

The Border Patrol would probably like to locate the checkpoint somewhere north of the Arivaca Road - Amado exit, number 48. There, officials say, it could serve as a deterrent to illegal crossers coming from the Arivaca and Sasabe areas.

“No matter where we put it, someone won’t like it,” said Maheda.

E-mail comments for publication to editor@azbiz.com. Contact Jim Lamb, a reporter for the Green Valley News, by e-mail at jlamb@gvnews.com or call (520) 547-9749.

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