Arizona Border: On The Front Lines
Reporters: Guy Atchley, Jennifer Waddell, Marcelino Benito, Kevin Keen
Producer: Martha Serda
Photographers/Editors: Jim Shields, Chris Miracle, Alfonso Sahagun
Web Producers: Ina Ronquillo, Rikki Mitchell, Taylor Higgins
NOGALES, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - KGUN9 On Your Side presents Arizona Border: On The Front Lines. How secure is the Southern Arizona border with Mexico? 9OYS set out to answer that question.
We hear from Arizona lawmakers working to protect the Southern Arizona Border.
KGUN9 will give you a one-on-one tour of the Deconcini Port of Entry, an interview with the agent in charge, a helicopter tour of the border, border ranchers talking about their ongoing battle with border security and the family of a Mexican teen killed.
Jennifer Waddell's Interview with Assistant Port Director, Joe Agosttini
The Department of Homeland Security depends on U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to accomplish the most important job, preventing terrorists and their weapons from getting into the United States.
We know first hand, their job is much bigger than that.
We speak with Assistant Port Director for Tactical Operations at the Nogales Port of Entry, Joe Agosttini about the challenges faced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and what he has seen is his 27 years on the job.
Click here to read the full story.
Guy Atchley's Interview with Congressman Rob Barber
"People I represent need to be safe, on their land," said Congressman Ron Barber. "Particularly the ranchers east of Douglas,all the way to New Mexico, really don't feel that they're getting enough attention in terms of protection."
But Ron Barber believes that's about to change.
Barber tells KGUN9 that Homeland Security must begin spending its resources where most of the problems are.
Click here to read the full story.
Jennifer Waddell's Interview with CPB Blackhawk Pilot
The primary job for the Air Sector of Customs and Border Protection is to back up Border Patrol agents on the ground searching for illegal immigrants.
Pilot Adolfo Hernandez serves as those eyes for the Air Sector of CPB.
KGUN9 took to the skies with Hernandez who talks about searching from above and the dangers that are presented to pilots and agents.
Click here to read the full story.
Kevin Keen's Interview with Southern Arizona Ranchers
Perhaps more than anyone else, a certain group sees the challenges and changes along the border -- and have to live with them.
They are Southern Arizona's ranchers who've lived on the line their entire lives. KGUN9 asked one for his perspective on what life is like today.
He said just in the last couple of years, he's noticed a dramatic shift in who and what crosses the border -- into this backyard.
Click here to read the full story.
Marcelino Benito's Family of Teenager Killed at the Border
Border Patrol agents constantly face all types of threats along the fence. The most common: rock throwers. It's considered such a threat, Border Patrol policy states agents can fire back bullets. But a shooting last October is now raising eyebrows.
His name was Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez. He was just 16-years-old when he died. Border Patrol says he was a lethal threat, a rock thrower. But his family claims their boy was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. 9OYS traveled into Mexico to meet with Jose's family, a family that just wants to know why.
Click here to read the full story.
Guy Atchley's Interview with Congressman Raul Grijalva
Congressman Grijalva says the GOP can no longer ignore the demographic of the Hispanic community.
"And the Republican party, unless they want to become a permanent minority party of this country, have to reach out to that community," said Grijalva.
Grijalva says a bipartisan skeleton of border reform is now on the table.
Click here to read the full story.
Guy Atchley's Interview with Senator John McCain
Arizona Senator John McCain is one of the eight lawmakers negotiating the framework for immigration reform.
And Republicans have made it clear that a prerequisite has to be a secure border.
McCain is willing to give it a definition.
Click here to read the full story.
Jennifer Waddell's Interview with Border Patrol Agent in Charge Leslie Lawson
The Nogales Station is one of eight stations in the Tucson sector, which is the busiest on the U.S.-Mexico border for illegal immigration, drug smuggling and border deaths.
Nogales station patrol agent in charge Leslie Lawson talks about one of the biggest challenges.
"They're scouting you but you're scouting them," she says. "Yes absolutely there's surveillance and counter and we're always changing our tactics."
Click here to read the full story.
The Future of the Southern Arizona Border
"The job for the CBP officers on the line is difficult because we are looking for a needle in the haystack."
-Joe Agosttini, Assistant Port Director for Tactical Operations at the Nogales Port of Entry:
"My opinion is that's the danger for me and my family -- is the drug cartels."
-John Ladd, Southern Arizona Rancher
"For me, reaching across the aisle is imperative and what I will continue to do."
-U.S. Congressman Ron Barber
"I think that we need to allow the process of this nation of ours to work its magic. We haven't allowed that to happen."
-U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva
"We're workin' hard. The people in our state deserve a secure environment and before I would sign off on any agreement, we would make sure that there is sufficient steps taken to have a secure border."
-U.S. Senator John McCain
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