Thread: McCain Disputes Brewer's Claim That Most Illegal Immigrants

McCain Disputes Brewer's Claim That Most Illegal Immigrants Smuggling Drugs

Published June 27, 2010
FOXNews.com

Arizona Sen. John McCain said Sunday that he does not agree with his governor's controversial statement that most illegal immigrants are being used to transport drugs across the border.

Asked in an interview whether he agrees that most illegal immigrants are "drug mules," the Republican senator said: "No."

However, McCain said Gov. Jan Brewer is still doing a "good job" for her state and is on the right track when she warns about the influence of the drug cartels in the border region.

"I think that there's a large number (of illegal immigrants smuggling drugs) and I think she's right in that the drug cartels' movement has dramatically increased," McCain said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I may not agree with one sentence that she uses, but she's standing up for Arizona and I think that the people of my state deserve a better environment of security than the one they're getting from the federal government now."

McCain cited as one concern the fact that signs have gone up in parkland along the border warning visitors not to travel there because of the presence of smuggling routes.

Related Links
Arizona Dem Reaffirms Charge That Feds Moved Conferences to Protest State's Immigration Law The senator weighed in after Brewer said Friday that while many immigrants try to enter the United States for work, the drug rings press them into duty. She said "the majority of the illegal trespassers that are coming into the state of Arizona are under the direction and control of organized drug cartels and they are bringing drugs in."

Critics slammed the governor, who in April signed the state's controversial law making illegal immigration a state crime, calling on her to produce evidence to back up her claim or take it back.

Sen. Jesus Ramon Valdes, a member of the Mexican Senate's northern border affairs commission, called Brewer's comments racist and irresponsible.

"Traditionally, migrants have always been needy, humble people who in good faith go looking for a way to better the lives of their families," Ramon Valdes said.

A Border Patrol spokesman said illegal immigrants do sometimes carry drugs across the border, but he said he couldn't provide numbers because the smugglers are turned over to prosecutors.

In the wake of the criticism, Brewer released a written statement Friday doubling down on her claim.

"The simple truth is that the majority of human smuggling in our state is under the direction of the drug cartels, which are by definition smuggling drugs," she said, citing a Los Angeles Times report from March 2009 that found "the business of smuggling humans across the Mexican border has been brisk, with many thousands coming across every year."

The report, quoting government officials and congressional testimonies, also found that smugglers affiliated with the drug cartels "have taken the enterprise to a new level -- and made it more violent -- by commandeering much of the operation from independent coyotes."

Brewer added that the article and "many federal government reports have drawn the same conclusions."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06 ... ing-drugs/

Been Tell'n Ya Arizona ~ If you do not get rid of John McCain he will Nullify any and everything Gov. Brewer is attempting to do

Fire the Incompetant and NEGLIGENT John McCain

Those of us that remember the old McCain know that he can't be trusted.

The milasecond Juan Mccain gets re elected to more years of destruction and lies the illegal aliens will once again become gods children and we must do everything hum anly possible to keep these people here, bestow amnesty to them the whole ball of wax. He is only telling people what they want to hear out of his mouth but is completely ready to aid Obama in his wish for amnesty. I personally cannot stand the site of this guy. He is so open borders as to be on par with Luis Gutierrez. Wake up Arizona, he cannot be trusted in any way shape or form

Get rid of that two faced lying snake John McCain AZ!!!!!!!!!!!!

W

There is two in my household voting for Hayworth this year

They are both right to an extent the human smugglers are paying money to the cartels that make most of their money from drugs. The cartels are aware of the human smugglers movement and recruit from impoverished laborers for drug mules and use groups of laboers being smuggled by coyotes as decoys.

Originally Posted by Richard

They are both right to an extent the human smugglers are paying money to the cartels that make most of their money from drugs. The cartels are aware of the human smugglers movement and recruit from impoverished laborers for drug mules and use groups of laboers being smuggled by coyotes as decoys.

Got to agree with Richard on this one, "some" illegals are paying their way across via transporting drugs, some are being forced into the job simply by threatening them or families, not sure of the numbers but I would disagree it's most of the illegals. No matter how we spin it the fact our borders are uncontrolled is a major problem and a threat to our country.

Her statement is so true. The community of 99.9 percent illegal aliens I once resided the first time invader most likely would not bring drugs.
The big BUT.
Once the realization of how easy it was to cross back and fourth, drugs were brought in and cash was taken out.
Many different types of contraband is brought in by the men, woman, and families as they could go back and fourth as they pleased.
And they don't fear being caught by our catch and release federal government.
The only ones they fear are the fear are the organized smugglers and cartels that they "the humble hard working immigrants" are taking the profits from.
I saw sometimes 10 or more illegals not come back after a trip down south.
What do you suppose happened to them? You sure as hell would not get an answer if you asked their Friends or family. Only a look of fear and mourning in their eyes. I know that look all to well.
I often wonder when I hear of decapitated corpse being found or executed remains if this might be one group or family that did not make it back one of those times.
Brewer does not knew how right she is. McCain is a irresponsible traitorous buffoon.
Arizona cannot allow this jerk another chance to take down Arizona and America. He is guilty of dereliction of duty and should be imprisoned with the rest of those that defy the will of the people.
If your not going to serve the people that elect you, Don't take the oath.
Or we the people will bury you in Leavenworth, not Arlington.
Now that would make an example and a statement to these politicians that thumb their nose at the Constitution and will of he people.
Reform that I want to see.

Originally Posted by AirborneSapper7

Been Tell'n Ya Arizona ~ If you do not get rid of John McCain he will Nullify any and everything Gov. Brewer is attempting to do

Fire the Incompetant and NEGLIGENT John McCain

He has got to GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!