Feb 10, 12:10 AM EST


Ariz. Gov. Vows to Probe Migrant Deaths

By THERESA BRAINE
Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano said Friday there would be a thorough investigation into the shooting deaths of three migrants near Tucson, adding that the attack underscores the need for major U.S. immigration reform.

The statement came as Mexico's foreign office released a statement demanding justice for the three, who were killed Thursday when gunmen chased down and opened fire on a truck carrying illegal immigrants and their smugglers.

"The practice is, and I'm sure it'll be followed in this case, is to do your forensics, to interview the witnesses, to try and identify not only who the victims were but also who the shooters were and the like, and then to take appropriate law-enforcement action," Napolitano said in a news conference after meeting with President Felipe Calderon.

Investigators in Arizona on Friday said the attack likely came from rival smugglers. Two people, a Mexican and a Guatemalan, were also wounded in the attack.

The Mexican Foreign Department said the nationality of the three casualties had not been confirmed.

"We are going to continue to have incidents at the border, albeit, I hope, not frequently," Napolitano said. "We need the Congress of the United States to take up immigration."

Arizona's border with Mexico is the busiest crossing between the two countries. Violence is increasing as smugglers vie for business amid tightened controls, U.S. officials say.

Calderon, who took power in December, expressed concern about the increasingly bold activities of anti-immigrant groups in Arizona.

The groups "create an adverse climate that is not conducive to broad cooperation," the president's office said in a news release.

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