Arizona Cattlemen's Association Calls for Better Border Security
The Arizona Cattlemen's Association is preparing a list of border recommendations after Arizona rancher Robert Krentz was killed on his property a few weeks ago. The group is calling for the presence of National Guard troops among other things.
"It's time for people to awaken and see the foreign invasion," association member Basilio Aja. "We feel like we have been abandoned. We've been crying out for 10 years and no one has listened. We have the laws we need. They just need to be enforced."
The 16-point plan isn't ready for full release, but the members of the association did meet with U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) who represents the Arizona border near Tuscon.
"If we had 2,500 National Guard troops on the border to protect the boundary and provided them with the equipment and technology that equals what the cartels have, there would be a difference," Aja said. "We want a military response. We want our border protected. And really, another result of shutting down the border will be of benefit to our fellow Mexican ranchers on the other side. They have to submit to the aggression of these criminals, too, who use their land for bases of operations."
The proposal from the Arizona Cattlemen's Association will be called Re-establish Our Border (ROB) in tribute to Krentz. The Association has joined with the Arizona Farm Bureau in setting up a $15,000 reward for any details leading to the arrest of the person responsible for killing Krentz.
Information on the Association's full border plan will be released on their website.