Jun 16, 2010

Report: Land near Mexico border closed off due to violence

05:20 PM

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reporting that 3,500 acres of land in southern Arizona have been closed off to U.S. citizens because of increased violence along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the Fox News website.

The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is part of the closed-off area. As of late, the refuge has been affected by drug smuggling and other alleged illegal activity, Fox reported.

Violence involving law enforcement officers and U.S. citizens has increased in the area, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu told the network.

"It's literally out of control," Babeu said. "We need support from the federal government. It's their job to secure the border and they haven't done it."

In recent weeks, two Mexican people, including a teen boy, have died during scuffles with U.S. border guards, prompting U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to call for an investigation.

Arizona has been at the center of national debate for its enactment of a controversial law cracking down on illegal immigration.
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