Checkpoints need study, Giffords says

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and three congressional colleagues from Arizona want the Government Accountability Office to look into just how effective highway checkpoints are in stopping illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

Democrat Giffords was joined by Republican Sens. John McCain, Jon Kyl and Rep. Rick Renzi.

In her announcement, Giffords said this area of Southern Arizona is the only U.S. border area that doesn’t have a permanent checkpoint.

She noted that the Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector “is the most porous section of the entire U.S. - Mexico border, with more than 48 percent of the nation’s drug traffic and 44 percent of all illegal human traffic entering the United States through Southern Arizona.”

She added, “Every day, approximately 1,049 illegal immigrants and 2,749 pounds of drugs cross our ranches, highways, precious lands, and communities.”

In her announcement, Giffords said, “I believe an interior checkpoint on I-19 is critical, and I support it.”

Giffords organized a workgroup last spring to look into the use of checkpoints on major roads heading north from the border, as I-19 does.

Debate was intense, with some participants saying if the border were better controlled, there would be no need for checkpoints.

Some others said a permanent checkpoint would be more effective and better equipped, and yet others said temporary or mobile checkpoints would work better because of the element of surprise.

Giffords said she has been working with Kyl to design a new GAO study to provide up-to-date information about how effective existing checkpoints are and what their impacts might be on surrounding communities.

During the study group’s working period last summer, many argued that checkpoints negatively impact nearby communities and pose threats to neighborhoods as illegals and drug smugglers walk around them.

The congresswoman praised Kyl’s experience as ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s terrorist, technology and Homeland Security subcommittee.

She also welcomed McCain and six other members of Congress to help make the GAO request.

“The GAO request has been made by a bipartisan, bicameral group of members who represent Americans living near the border. We share the goals of securing our border while also protecting residents and making the best use of taxpayer dollars,” she said.

jlamb@gsvnews.com | 547-9749