Rep. Grijalva Condemns Proposed Expansion of Border Patrol Checkpoints Across Southern Arizona

Tucson, AZ — Congresswoman Adelita S. Grijalva released the following statement condemning the proposed expansion of U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints in Southern Arizona, including the expansion of existing sites along Interstate 19 and on West Arivaca Road, and the establishment of a new site near Three Points . According to the Department of Homeland Security’s Acquisition Planning Forecast System, the I-19 project could cost upwards of $50 to $100 million.
“CBP is proposing to spend tens of millions of taxpayer dollars expanding and establishing new checkpoints while refusing to provide the public with basic answers about why these projects are necessary in the first place. DHS and CBP have more money than they know what to do with thanks to the more than $200 BILLION in new funding that Congressional Republicans have appropriated. At a time when working families are struggling to get by, this is an outrageous waste of taxpayer dollars.”
“If the Trump administration was serious about border security, some of these resources would be going towards modernizing our ports of entry by improving staffing and infrastructure, especially considering that the overwhelming majority of illicit fentanyl seized by DHS is intercepted at our ports.”
“I stand firmly with the residents, farmers, workers, businesses, and local leaders who are fighting this expansion. I will continue to push back against these projects and against the idea that federal agencies can come into our communities, spend tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on wasteful projects, and simply ignore the people who will have to live with the consequences.”
###