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PHOENIX -- Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will be in southern Arizona Tuesday to tour the border. Napolitano recently declared the border is as safe as it has ever been. Patrick Bray with the Arizona Cattlemen's Association said ranchers will tell you that just isn't so.

Dangerous drug and human smugglers have been able to elude ground sensors and cameras.

"They know when the cameras are operating and where they're at," Bray said.

Bray also noted that barbed wire fence is all that separates Arizona ranches from dangerous smugglers on much of the border. He's calling for more boots on the ground to protect ranchers.

"The people moving the drugs are animals," said Bray. "They have no regard for human life or the law. Since last February one rancher has had 17 drive-through's on his property, where the smugglers cut the fence and drive a vehicle through and make it to the highway.

Bray said Napolitano is playing politics and not looking at the safety of people who live and work along the border.

"She was the Governor of Arizona and for her to throw this state under the bus is a shame," said Bray. "We stand by having border security first."

Jim Cross, Reporter

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  • Abuse
    Steve wrote...
    Politicians don't like reality
    February 18, 2013 6:26 am
    In this case you are dealing with the dead brained liberals voting base.
  • Abuse
    2cents wrote...
    Never mnd the encroaching criminal activity
    February 18, 2013 7:05 am
    Because we have thrown more taxpayer money, employees and fancy buildings at the visible sections of border, it is therefore now proclaimed to be safe. Safe, that is, if you set aside sound logic, believe what you are told and go for the bait.
  • Abuse
    Steve wrote...
    Napolitano should visit the Krentz Family
    February 18, 2013 7:37 am
    and tell them the border is secure. Robert Krentz a rancher in the Douglas area was shot and killed by illegal aliens, on his property.
  • Abuse
    Steve wrote...
    Land of the Freebies
    February 18, 2013 8:00 am
    The Obama administration has failed to enforce law meant to prevent immigrants from taking root in the U.S. only to live on the government dole. Virtually no one one is being examined before they enter the country on whether or not they'll immediately begin to depend on government welfare.
  • Abuse
    OneWonders wrote...
    Well actually Steve
    February 18, 2013 8:13 am
    those still coming here legally are being examined and then take an oath to the country. Can't forget about those immigrants and we can't group those legal into the illegal group.
    Equal Justice, Not Social Justice.
  • Abuse
    gilbert armenta wrote...
    if only we
    February 18, 2013 9:15 am
    took away the profit in smuggling by legalizing MJ and providing a path to citizenship. Instead though we'd rather continue to maintain the highest incarcerated population and create the very petri dish this scum grows in because clearly that's worked wonders. We will continue to reap what we sow.
  • Abuse
    Steve wrote...
    Or better yet Gilbert
    February 18, 2013 9:22 am
    How about we actually enforce the laws so we don't have to legalize these people. I also disagree with legalizing marijuana. It's not something our kids need to be introduced to and it will be another problem just like tobacco and alcohol. We will indeed reep what we sow if we continue down our current path.
  • Abuse
    khountrygirl wrote...
    Steve
    February 18, 2013 9:24 am
    The problem did not start with the Obama administration, and most likely will not end there. This is not one political party problem, both parties have contributed to the mess. Over numerous administrations, illegals were given a wink and a nod by our government to come here and work (if they could make it past the border, we will turn a blind eye). Businesses continue to offer them jobs... After all, that is what they are coming for... jobs.
  • Abuse
    SurpriseMe wrote...
    dont care about life
    February 18, 2013 9:37 am
    sad how Napolitano as governor would demand border security and now she works for Obama the border is secure. But I guess Obama, Napolitano and immigration activist like that people are being smuggled, sexualy assaulted, left to die in the heat of the desert, forced to carry drugs, forced to take on false ID so some can apply with false documents under Obama's dream act.
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    The expectation that all crime will
    February 18, 2013 9:43 am
    cease at the border is a fool's expectation. Want more manpower and resources to combat crime at the border, beyond the record amounts already present? Tell your elected representative to stop Law enforcement budget cuts and quit complaining about taxation. Tell your representatives to more severely criminalize the employment of illegal immigrants and then enforce that law. Our current employer sanctions laws offer no deterrent effect. And then be sure to imprison those criminal employers, including border ranchers who use cheap but skilled illegal vaqueros on their spreads.

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