Thread: AZ: Lawmakers request GAO study of interior border checkpoin

Monday, December 10, 2007 - 12:40 PM MST
Lawmakers request GAO study of interior border checkpoints

by Mike Sunnucks Phoenix Business Journal

Four Arizona lawmakers want the federal government to scrutinize the effectiveness of interior security checkpoints near the U.S.-Mexico border aimed at catching drug smugglers and illegal immigrants.

U.S. Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl and Rep. Rick Renzi, all R-Ariz., and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., want the U.S. Government Accountability Office to study the checkpoints' effectiveness and impact on border security, economics and communities. They and several lawmakers from other border states, including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, have written to the GAO requesting a formal study.

The checkpoints are set up inside the U.S. on major roads in border states. They require motorists and truckers to stop and face possible vehicle inspections.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stor ... aily6.html

This is a similar report from 2005. There were some congressional ordered changes in the Tuscon secotr that lowered effectiveness. I imagine those changes are still in effect.
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05435.pdf

U.S. Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl and Rep. Rick Renzi, all R-Ariz., and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., want the U.S. Government Accountability Office to study the checkpoints' effectiveness and impact on border security, economics and communities.

What is the purpose of the study--to determine ways of making the checkpoints more effective or doing away with the checkpoints?

Since impact on economics and communities are mentioned in the sentence will guess their goal is to eliminate the checkpoints.

Why waste our money on a frivilios study--BUILD THE FENCE--that will help the issue of checkpoints.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln