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| Uptick in Violence Forces Closing of Parkland Along Mexico Border to Americans |
| 2010-06-17 |
| About 3,500 acres of southern Arizona have been closed off to U.S. citizens due to increased violence at the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The closed off area includes part of the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge that stretches along the U.S.-Mexico border. Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu told Fox News that violence against law enforcement officers and U.S. citizens has increased in the past four months, forcing officers on an 80 mile stretch of Arizona land north of the Mexico border off-limits to Americans. The refuge had been adversely affected by the increase in drug smugglers, illegal activity and surveillance, which made it dangerous for Americans to visit. "The situation in this zone has reached a point where continued public use of the area is not prudent," said refuge manager Mitch Ellis. "It's literally out of control," said Babeu. "We stood with Senator McCain and literally demanded support for 3,000 soldiers to be deployed to Arizona to get this under control and finally secure our border with Mexico. " U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials have warned visitors in Arizona to beware of heavily armed drug smugglers and human traffickers. "We need support from the federal government. It's their job to secure the border and they haven't done it," said Babeu. "In fact, President Obama suspended the construction of the fence and it's just simply outrageous." Signs have been posted warning Americans not to cross into the closed off territory south of Interstate 8. Babeu said the signs are not enough -- he said Arizona needs more resources to help scale back the violence caused by the drug cartels. "We need action. It's shameful that we, as the most powerful nation on Earth, ... can't even secure our own border and protect our own families." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #8 Next to be closed.... Pakistani run Stop and Rob gas stations. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-06-17 15:59 |
| #7 AP mines at the border. |
| Posted by: No I am The Other Beldar 2010-06-17 14:38 |
| #6 Oh, you mean the new AZNG live-fire training range... |
| Posted by: mojo 2010-06-17 12:21 |
| #5 Otherwise, AZ will fly them to Mexico City, 1400 miles away from the border. It's cheaper to bus them to Sacramento. |
| Posted by: ed 2010-06-17 12:08 |
| #4 Some notes: the total size of the refuge is 118,000 acres. Despite the expense, there are now calls for the governor to put AZ National Guard down there, as well as erecting tent jails in the desert. This could work even if ICE refuses to take AZ illegals, because they can be held there up to a year before trial for trespassing, then held there for another several months after conviction. Otherwise, AZ will fly them to Mexico City, 1400 miles away from the border. No need for ICE at all. Voluntary deportation. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2010-06-17 09:56 |
| #3 It's a wildlife refuge - can't go shooting the wildlife in there. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2010-06-17 07:30 |
| #2 Can't we just turn it into a public target range? |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2010-06-17 04:20 |
| #1 USA Sovereignty going, going, gone... |
| Posted by: borgboy 2010-06-17 02:09 |