Hundreds rally for immigration laws
Lynh Bui and Beth Duckett
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 17, 2007 12:00 AM

Chants of "Close our border!" and "USA!" echoed around the state Capitol on Saturday as hundreds rallied to support tighter enforcement of immigration laws.

The rally was in response to an immigration reform bill that seeks to secure the border and beef up enforcement of laws. The bill hangs in limbo as U.S. senators fight over its costs and provisions, which include hiring thousands of enforcement agents and installing miles of border fencing.

Dressed in red, white and blue, many at the rally said they didn't support the bill.
"Politicians just need to enforce the current laws; we don't need a new one," said Linda Quinn of Phoenix.

Police estimated the crowd at 300 to 400.

The rally began at Camelback Road and 23rd Avenue. A parade of motorcyclists revved their way to the Capitol with flags waving from the backs of their bikes and Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA blaring from a truck in the procession.

Danny Smith, co-founder of the American Freedom Riders, said he's not against immigration, but he is opposed to illegal immigration.

The "uncontrolled" flow of undocumented immigrants is an "invasion" that "threatens our world," he said.

"It threatens our economy, our retirement system and our health system," Smith said.

Holding a sign that said, "No amnesty," and "Enforce our laws," Tom Dodson of Tempe said he would work "tirelessly" to recall politicians who support the immigration-reform bill.

"A country is not a country without a border," he said. "Immigrants should go through the front door."

Hundreds at the rally signed petitions supporting the recall of Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl.

Quinn said she was disappointed in Kyl for supporting the immigration-reform bill and she wanted undocumented immigrants deported.

"Next weekend, I'm going to get a gun," she said. "I feel threatened. Mexico has been shipping criminals and degenerates across the border for years. We need to close our border with a wall."

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