Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne testifies about border

Arizona Republic
May 12, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Tucson Sector of the Southwest border remains a major entry point for illegal immigrants and is very vulnerable to penetration by many terrorists, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne told a key congressional panel Wednesday.

"In the Tucson Sector since 2009, well over 400,000 people crossed illegally into the United States," Horne told members of the House Homeland Security Committee.

"A terrorist seeking to enter the United States to do mass destruction can go to Mexico and blend in among the 400,000 people crossing illegally every year through the Tucson Sector."

However, annual federal figures for apprehensions in the sector are about half that number, a spokesman said.

The Tucson Sector, like other sectors of the Southwest border, has had a decline in apprehensions over the past several years as fewer people have tried to cross illegally, said spokesman Steven Cribby, who handles inquiries about the Border Patrol in Arizona.

In fiscal 2010, there were 212,202 apprehensions of people crossing illegally.

Officials attribute the decline to beefed-up border security along with the recession.

In 2005, a total of 430,079 people were apprehended, more than twice as many as in 2010, Cribby said.

Horne said the current numbers remain "far too high".

Horne, a Republican, has sued the Obama administration, alleging negligence in border enforcement.

President Barack Obama, in a speech in El Paso on Tuesday, touted his administration's efforts to secure the border and said it is time for Republicans to negotiate on a plan for comprehensive immigration reform, which would include a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million immigrants here illegally.

Obama said he has increased the number of Border Patrol agents to about 20,000, deployed unmanned surveillance aircraft from Texas to California, built border fencing and forged new alliances with Mexico to combat drug cartels. He also sent about 1,200 National Guard troops to the border last fall, including about 560 in Arizona.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said the issue is an emotional one in Arizona. He cited last week's slaying of Buckeye police Officer Rolando Tirado, who was shot by an illegal immigrant who had served prison time in California for felony convictions but was never deported.

"It's personal for us here in Arizona, and that's why the president's remarks are so offensive," Montgomery said.

Democratic lawmakers from the Arizona Legislature praised Obama's efforts in a statement released Wednesday.

"House Democrats are thankful that President Obama is finally working hard to get the job done on immigration reform, something border states like Arizona need to boost our economy and make our neighborhoods safe," said the statement.

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