Narratives in the News: The death of Robert Krentz

By Curtis Prendergast

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SB 1070 dominated the headlines of newspapers in Arizona during the summer of 2010.  The death of Robert Krentz, a rancher from Cochise County, on March 27, 2010 played a key role in the development of SB 1070. The Chronicle gathered all the articles published during April 2010 by the Arizona Daily Star, the Arizona Republic, and the Nogales International that dealt with the death of Krentz.

The news coverage during the first few days after the shooting was dominated by figuring out what exactly happened to Krentz. The authorities still do not know who killed Krentz. On April 1, the Arizona Republic ran a column, Is rancher first casualty of a border war?, that emphasized the need for increased border security. The Arizona Daily Star ran a story, Rancher’s killing draws citizens, officials, on the same day about residents of the area where Krentz was killed meeting with politicians to discuss border security. Also on April 1, the Republic ran a story, Slain Arizona rancher mourned by friends, neighbors, about the same meeting.

During these first few days the killing of Krentz became a flashpoint in the political debates leading up to the November elections. On April 1, the Republic ran a story, House weighs migrant bill, about the Arizona House of Representatives considering the bill that became known as SB 1070. Also on April 1, the Star ran a story, Pueblo Politics: Giffords, GOP spar over immigration, about the Pima County Republican Party accusing Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) of using the Krentz killing for political gain. The same day, the Republic ran a story, Thomas resigning to run for AG, about the Marciopa county attorney resigning in order to run for Arizona Attorney General on a platform dominated by immigration enforcement.

On April 3, the Star ran an update on the Krentz killing, Border Boletín: Unexplained killing. Also on April 3, the Republic ran a story, Arizona rancher likely killed by drug-cartel scout, Goddard says, about Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard speculating that Krentz was killed by Mexican drug cartels.

The political debate quickly moved to border security. On April 4, the Star ran an editorial, Feds have fiddled too long as border security failed, that placed partial blame for the Krentz killing on the federal government for not doing enough to secure the border. On April 6, the Nogales International ran a guest opinion, Deploying Nat’l Guard isn’t answer to border woe, about using the National Guard to secure the border. That same day, the Republic ran a story, Migrant reform unlikely this year, about the lessening chances of the U.S. Congress passing comprehensive immigration reform in 2010.

On April 8, the Republic ran a column, Brewer on FOX: Border is “out of control”, about Gov. Brewer’s contention that the border is out of control. On April 9, the Nogales International ran an editorial, Keep checkpoint in check, about the expanding presence of the Border Patrol in southern Arizona, saying that this is only likely to grow after the Krentz killing. On April 11, the Star ran a story, Krentz family, friends still wait for troops, about deploying the National Guard to the border.

On April 14, the Republic ran a story, Arizona ranchers urge crackdown on border violence, about ranchers going to the state Capitol to ask the state government to secure the border.  The same day, the Star ran a story, Border Boletín: 18 steps to border security?, about the plan presented by the ranchers to the state government.

The Krentz killing eventually led to the passage of SB 1070.  The debate over SB 1070 merged with the debate over border security. The same day that the ranchers presented their border security plan to the state government, the Arizona House passed SB 1070. The Republic ran a story, Tough immigration bill OK’d by Arizona House, on April 14 about the passage of the bill. Two days later, on April 16, the Republic ran an editorial, Immigration law does not offer real solutions, in opposition to the bill.  The Republic ran a story, McCain, Kyl call for Guard troops on Arizona border, on the same day about Sen. McCain and Sen. Kyl announcing their 10-point plan for border security, including the deployment of the National Guard to the border.

On April 18, the Star ran an editorial, Hasty measure wrong approach on border safety, in opposition to a bill in the Utah Legislature, inspired by the Krentz killing, that would allow the Border Patrol complete access to public lands. That same day, the Republic ran a story, Rhetorical bombs land at Tempe ‘tea party’ , about former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo putting “the blame for the March 27 slaying of longtime Cochise County cattleman Robert Krentz squarely on U.S. politicians who support “sanctuary” policies that don’t make immigration-enforcement a priority.”

On April 20, the Star ran a story, McCain, Kyl: Put 3,000 troops at Ariz. border, about Sen. McCain and Sen. Kyl calling for National Guard troops on the border. The Republic ran a similar story, McCain, Kyl back bill, call for Guard on border, the same day.  Also on April 20, the Star ran a story, Immigration bill prompts protests in Tucson, Phoenix, about protests against SB 1070. In the article, Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever said that the bill was a response to the Krentz killing. That same day the Republic ran a story, Drivers of migrants ‘intentionally’ cause crashes, in which Sen. McCain listing the Krentz killing as one of the dangers of a porous border. The Star ran a story, AZ border militia to offer armed patrols in Cochise County, on the same day about the formation of a border militia near where Krentz was killed.

On April 21, the Star ran a roundup, Border Boletín: Everybody’s weighing on border security, of the multitude of opinions on border security that resulted from the Krentz killing. That same day the Star ran an editorial, Governor should muster courage to veto bad bill, that said that passing SB 1070 “will this bill stop border tragedies, such as the murder of rancher Robert Krentz.”

On April 23, Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1070 into law. That day the Republic published an editorial, Arizona immigration law: History, background, that said: “The legislative approval capped months of impassioned debate, fueled by outrage over the murder of Douglas-area rancher Robert Krentz, who was shot along well-known smuggling routes near the border.”

The next day, April 24, the Star ran a story by Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services, Brewer signs sweeping immigration measure, that put passage of SB 1070 in the context of the debate surrounding the Krentz killing.

The signing into law of SB 1070 sparked a contentious debate that dominated the rest of the summer. A Letter to the Editor in the Star on April 23 said “The murder of Robert Krentz in March, while tragic, should still be considered an isolated incident and doesn’t warrant the drastic step of putting 3,000 National Guard soldiers on our border.” An opinion piece in the Republic on April 23, Arizona’s border can be secured, said “The murder of Arizona rancher Robert Krentz has intensified calls to secure the border.”

Also on April 23, Star published an Associated Press report, Obama calls Ariz. immigration bill ‘misguided,’ vows review, that said “the March 27 shooting death of rancher Bob Krentz on his property in southeastern Arizona has brought illegal immigration and border security into greater focus in the state. Authorities believe Krentz was killed by an illegal border crosser.”

An opinion piece in the Republic the next day, You think one senator spawned worrisome new migration law?, put the Krentz killing and SB 1070 in the broader context of border security from California to Texas. Also on April 24, the Star ran a story, Immigration dominates McCain town hall, about a town hall meeting for the McCain campaign. The article said “But pointing to the murder of rancher Robert Krentz, he said border problems need to be addressed not only for citizens here but for immigrants, who aren’t protected under American laws and are preyed upon by criminal elements.”

On April 25, the Republic ran an editorial, Don’t like this immigration law? Get active, said this of SB 1070: “It will not make the ranchers who live in the border region where Robert Krentz was murdered any safer.” Also on April 25, the Republic ran a story about Sen. McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain: ‘Hate the law, not Arizonans’, that said “The March 27 murder of longtime Cochise County cattleman Robert Krentz, Meghan McCain writes, brought “the issue of drug smuggling and illegal immigration front and center in state politics.”

On April 27, the Republic ran an Associated Press report, How Arizona became center of immigration debate, that said “The anger over immigration-related violence reached a boiling point in late March when a popular cattle rancher named Rob Krentz was gunned down along with his dog on his property near the border.” Also on April 27, the Republic ran a story, Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano: border secure as it’s ever been, which said “Napolitano said that since the death of Cochise County rancher Rob Krentz, DHS has “surged resources” in the area, deploying additional air support and mobile surveillance systems.”

The next day, April 28, the Republic ran a column, Arizona: the nation’s punching bag, about the national hoopla that emerged after the Krentz killing.

News coverage in April 2010 of the Krentz killing concluded with an editorial in the Republic, Law is a plea for U.S. action, that put the Krentz killing in the context of a failure of the federal government to secure the border.

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Arizona Republic: Is rancher first casualty of a border war? (April 1, 2010)

“The murder of rancher Robert Krentz is a family tragedy, the loss of a good, hard-working and generous man. But it is also crime story, an immigration story, a border security story, a political story, a gun story and, if we’re not careful, a war story.”

Arizona Daily Star: Rancher’s killing draws citizens, officials (April 1, 2010)

“Near Portal – More than 350 people gathered outside a small schoolhouse Wednesday night to deliver suggestions to politicians and law enforcement officials about what needs to be done to restore safety to the area after the slaying of rancher Robert Krentz.”

Arizona Republic: Slain Arizona rancher mourned by friends, neighbors (April 1, 2010)

“PORTAL – One by one, southeastern Arizona ranchers took the microphone to mourn the loss of a friend and to castigate the U.S. government for failing to protect a fellow cattleman from border violence.

For at least a decade, they said, politicians have vowed to secure America’s borders and win the war on drugs. But none of the rhetoric prevented a gunman from shooting 58-year-old Robert Krentz while he was working on his legacy ranch.”

Arizona Republic: House weighs migrant bill (April 1, 2010)

“A wide-ranging immigration proposal in the state Legislature continues to attract advocates from both sides of the issue…Martha Payan of Phoenix was among a group that showed up wearing bright yellow T-shirts with wording opposing sanctuary policies and a black ribbon in memory of Robert Krentz, the rancher killed in southern Arizona.”

Arizona Daily Star: Pueblo Politics: Giffords, GOP spar over immigration (April 1, 2010)

“With tensions high along the border following the murder of Douglas rancher Robert Krentz, the Pima County Republican Party sent out a press release accusing Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of trying to “get ahead” of the atrocity with a community town hall in Douglas.”

Arizona Republic: Thomas resigning to run for AG (April 1, 2010)

“Maricopa County Attorney Andy Thomas has chosen April Fools Day to announce that he is resigning April 6 to run for attorney general. And what is his No. 1 campaign tool? The death of Cochise County rancher Rob Krentz.”

Arizona Daily Star: Border Boletín: Unexplained killing (April 3, 2010)

“The killing of rancher Robert Krentz is perplexing to many. Here is what we know so far. . .Since a Monday press conference, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office has declined to provide any more information about the March 27 killing of rancher Robert Krentz. That’s fairly common, as they want to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.”

Arizona Republic: Arizona rancher likely killed by drug-cartel scout, Goddard says (April 3, 2010)

“I hope this is a wake-up call to people in the United States that there are very sophisticated cartel operations going on in both this country and in Mexico,” Goddard said…Carol Capas, a spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, said homicide investigators have no information about the killer or a motive in the slaying of Robert Krentz, 58, a prominent cattleman who was gunned down the morning of March 27 on his ranch northeast of Douglas.”

The political debate quickly moved to border security:

Arizona Daily Star: Feds have fiddled too long as border security failed (April 4, 2010)

“The killing of rancher Robert Krentz in Cochise County has put a microscope on the situation along the U.S.-Mexico border that has been simmering dangerously for a long time.”

Nogales International (Guest Opinion): Deploying Nat’l Guard isn’t answer to border woe (April 6, 2010)

“In the wake of the murder of Douglas-area rancher Robert Krentz, politicians are again talking about putting the National Guard along the border. There are a number of reasons why this is not a really effective answer to our porous border.”

Arizona Republic: Migrant reform unlikely this year (April 6, 2010)

“WASHINGTON – Passing the health-care bill could have given President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies a burst of momentum to tackle immigration reform, another top priority for the administration…The March 27 shooting death of Robert Krentz, a longtime Cochise County rancher, by a gunman who is believed to have escaped on foot to Mexico already has escalated the political rhetoric and prompted renewed calls from the state’s congressional delegation for the deployment of National Guard troops along the border.”

Arizona Republic: Brewer on FOX: Border is “out of control” (April 8, 2010)

“After having toured the border with New Mexico’s Gov. Bill Richardson, our Gov. Jan Brewer called the situation in southern Arizona “out of control.” Is it? Certainly it’s bad. The murder of rancher Robert Krantz is the most cruel and brutal recent example. But if the situation is “out of control” then it seems as if every government body involved needs to put the problem at the absolute top of its to-do list.”

Nogales International (Editorial): Keep checkpoint in check (April 9, 2010)

“Perhaps the best thing about the Border Patrol’s new canopy-covered checkpoint on Interstate 19 is that it can still be taken down with relative ease…The murder last month of Cochise County cattleman Robert Krentz, for example, brought calls from ranchers and rural residents across southeastern Arizona for better communications systems, faster response times from law enforcement, and more Border Patrol agents on the border.”

Arizona Daily Star: Krentz family, friends still wait for troops (April 11, 2010)

“A day after laying rancher Robert Krentz to rest at funeral services in Douglas, his family and others are still waiting for troops to be deployed to the border…The Krentz family called for the active-duty military to be deployed, and many of their neighbors have demanded that troops not only come but be given authority to track lawbreakers, arrest them and – if threatened – shoot.”

Arizona Republic: Arizona ranchers urge crackdown on border violence (April 14, 2010)

“Ranchers fed up with border violence in southern Arizona are demanding action to close the border and restore order in what they called a lawless area ruled by criminals…A ranching group delivered a plan at an event at the Capitol for confronting drug and human smuggling, extortion and kidnapping and eliminating the murders that go with them. Their demands come in the wake of the slaying of Robert Krentz, 58, on his ranch near Douglas last month.”

Arizona Daily Star: Border Boletín: 18 steps to border security? (April 14, 2010)

“The Arizona Cattlemen’s Association continues to be very active in wake of the killing of one of their longtime members, Robert Krentz on March 27. This week, the assocation distributed a border security plan to state and federal officials. It contains 18 action items the association wants government officials to take to bring peace back to border ranchers.”

The Krentz killing eventually led to the introduction of what would become SB 1070.  The debate over SB 1070 merged with the debate over border security:

Arizona Republic: Tough immigration bill OK’d by Arizona House (April 14, 2010)

“The Arizona House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a wide-ranging bill that, if signed by Gov. Jan Brewer, would cement the state’s reputation as the leader in tough and controversial immigration-control measures…Tuesday’s vote capped months of impassioned debate, fueled over the past two weeks by outrage over the murder of Douglas rancher Robert Krentz, who was shot near the border along well-known smuggling routes.”

Arizona Republic (Editorial): Immigration law does not offer real solutions (April 16, 2010)

“Arizona was in a harsh spotlight after lawmakers passed what’s being called the nation’s toughest law against illegal immigrants. It wasn’t a flattering light, and the state will not benefit from a law that is more about rage and rhetoric than real solutions. We need real solutions. The people who live along the border need enhanced security – especially those near where rancher Robert Krentz was recently killed by someone who fled south across the border.”

Arizona Republic: McCain, Kyl call for Guard troops on Arizona border (April 16, 2010)

“Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl, flanked by sheriffs from Pinal and Cochise counties, announced a 10-point border security action plan Monday in the midst of growing violence on both sides of the Arizona-Mexico border.”

Arizona Daily Star (Editorial): Hasty measure wrong approach on border safety (April 18, 2010)

“The rightly outraged emotions sparked by the killing of Douglas-area rancher Robert Krentz have bubbled up in Washington, prompting the introduction of a bill that knowledgeable parties say is a bad idea.

A measure introduced last week by Utah Republican Rep. Rob Bishop would allow Border Patrol officers to have total access to restricted public lands, the Star’s Brady McCombs reported. Currently, land managers make rules on access in order to protect land, wildlife or historical sites.”

Arizona Republic: Rhetorical bombs land at Tempe ‘tea party’ (April 18, 2010)

“Former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo lived up to his reputation for scalding political rhetoric last week as one of the headliners of the Tax Day Tea Party at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Tancredo, a Colorado Republican and extreme illegal-immigration foe who made an unsuccessful run for president in 2008, on Thursday put the blame for the March 27 slaying of longtime Cochise County cattleman Robert Krentz squarely on U.S. politicians who support “sanctuary” policies that don’t make immigration-enforcement a priority. Krentz’s killer is believed to have escaped to Mexico.”

Arizona Daily Star: McCain, Kyl: Put 3,000 troops at Ariz. border (April 20, 2010)

“Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl have joined with others requesting troops on the border by unveiling a security plan that calls for more soldiers, federal agents, fencing and funding to help Arizona combat illegal immigration and drug smuggling… The March 27 killing of Cochise County rancher Robert Krentz has set off a flurry of requests for troops to the border, from the Krentz family, fellow ranchers and state and national legislators.”

Arizona Republic: McCain, Kyl back bill, call for Guard on border (April 20, 2010)

“WASHINGTON – Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl on Monday called for the immediate deployment of 3,000 National Guard troops to the Arizona-Mexico border…But they said high-profile drug-cartel violence in Mexico and the murder last month of southeastern Arizona cattle rancher Robert Krentz prompted them to put the ideas together into a comprehensive plan to secure the border.”

Arizona Daily Star: Immigration bill prompts protests in Tucson, Phoenix (April 20, 2010)

“Outrage about a state immigration bill that is Gov. Jan Brewer’s signature away from becoming law spurred protests throughout the state Tuesday…Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever supports the bill and believes it comes as a response to the killing of rancher Robert Krentz on March 27 by a presumed illegal immigrant. “The alternative is to do nothing and doing nothing is getting people murdered and maimed and our lives turned upside down,” Dever said. “That’s not working.”

Arizona Republic: McCain: Drivers of migrants ‘intentionally’ cause crashes (April 20, 2010)

“Sen. John McCain is drawing flak for telling Fox News Channel host Bill O’Reilly Monday that “the drivers of cars with illegals in it … are intentionally causing accidents on the freeway.”…McCAIN: “I would be very sorry that if some of that happens. And I regret it, but I also regret the — really, it’s not just the murder of (longtime Cochise County rancher) Robert Krentz. It’s the people whose homes and property are being violated. It’s the drive-by that — the drivers of cars with illegals in it that are intentionally causing accidents on the freeway. Look, our border is not secured. Our citizens are not safe.”

Arizona Daily Star: AZ border militia to offer armed patrols in Cochise County (April 20, 2010)

“A longstanding local border-militia group is trying to form a paramilitary squad with permission to confront smugglers or other suspected wrongdoers…His call came amid a resurgence in passions over border issues. When southeast Arizona rancher Robert Krentz was killed March 27, legislation was already in consideration that would broaden police officers’ powers to check people’s immigration status.”

Arizona Daily Star: Border Boletín: Everybody’s weighing on border security (April 21, 2010)

“The March 27 killing of rancher Robert Krentz last month has set off a wave of press conferences, letters, conference calls and hearings about how to make the U.S.-Mexico border more secure.”

On April 23, Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1070 into law:

Arizona Republic (Editorial): Governor should muster courage to veto bad bill (April 21, 2010)

“Some people say it’s naive to ask a politician to show real courage.We are not that cynical…Nor will this bill stop border tragedies, such as the murder of rancher Robert Krentz.”

Arizona Republic (Editorial): Arizona immigration law: History, background (April 23, 2010)

“Arizona has about 460,000 undocumented immigrants, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Currently, immigration offenses are violations of federal law, something most local law-enforcement agencies cannot enforce…The legislative approval capped months of impassioned debate, fueled by outrage over the murder of Douglas-area rancher Robert Krentz, who was shot along well-known smuggling routes near the border.”

Arizona Daily Star (Capitol Media Services): Brewer signs sweeping immigration measure (April 24, 2010)

“PHOENIX – Defending its legality, Gov. Jan Brewer on Friday signed the toughest state law in the country designed to combat illegal immigration…Passage of the bill came just weeks after Cochise County rancher Robert Krentz was shot to death. It is presumed the killer was an illegal border crosser.”

The signing into law of SB 1070 sparked a contentious debate that dominated the rest of the summer:

Arizona Daily Star: Letters to the Editor (April 23, 2010)

“Pure politics behind call for troops

Re: the April 20 article “McCain, Kyl: Put 3K troops at Ariz. border.”

Sen. John McCain’s change of heart regarding U.S. troops on the Arizona border is no mystery. It is purely political. His intent is to appear more conservative in an effort to counter his far-right primary opponent. The murder of Robert Krentz in March, while tragic, should still be considered an isolated incident and doesn’t warrant the drastic step of putting 3,000 National Guard soldiers on our border.”

Arizona Republic (Opinion): Arizona’s border can be secured (April 23, 2010)

“The murder of Arizona rancher Robert Krentz has intensified calls to secure the border. This has also increased the volume from those who claim that the border cannot be secured without comprehensive immigration reform that includes legalization for those currently here illegally.”

Arizona Daily Star (AP): Obama calls Ariz. immigration bill ‘misguided,’ vows review (April 23, 2010)

“PHOENIX – President Barack Obama called an Arizona immigration bill “misguided” Friday and said it could violate people’s civil rights, intensifying pressure on the state’s Republican governor to veto the nation’s toughest legislation against illegal immigration…Also, the March 27 shooting death of rancher Bob Krentz on his property in southeastern Arizona has brought illegal immigration and border security into greater focus in the state. Authorities believe Krentz was killed by an illegal border crosser.”

Arizona Republic (Opinion): You think one senator spawned worrisome new migration law? (April 24, 2010)

“I have little doubt Arizona’s lightning-rod new immigration legislation is destined to do many of the bad things its critics fear…How many of them stood up to demand better border protection before the shooting of rancher Robert Krentz?

Even after Krentz was shot dead, the national media dwelled far more intently on . . . yes, wait for it: border-roaming militias than on the fact that southeastern Arizona is being ecologically and economically wrecked by unrelenting illegal immigration and the Mexican criminal gangs that now control it. Had the Obama administration made so much as a modest “show of force” following the Krentz murder, something to suggest that, yes, we take border security seriously, there would be less support for a “1070″ response.”

Arizona Daily Star: Immigration dominates McCain town hall (April 24, 2010)

“Arizona Sen. John McCain’s town hall in Tucson Saturday was all about immigration. McCain had sounded a note of support for Arizona’s tough new immigration, calling it a “good tool” for law enforcement. But he stopped short of fully endorsing the measure…But pointing to the murder of rancher Robert Krentz, he said border problems need to be addressed not only for citizens here but for immigrants, who aren’t protected under American laws and are preyed upon by criminal elements.”

Arizona Republic (Editorial): Don’t like this immigration law? Get active (April 25, 2010)

“Arizona’s primal scream about illegal immigration got the nation’s attention. Now, Arizonans need to make sure the awful mistake does not define our state…But this law does nothing to slow the smuggling of people and drugs across our southern border. It will not make the ranchers who live in the border region where Robert Krentz was murdered any safer.”

Arizona Republic: Meghan McCain: ‘Hate the law, not Arizonans’ (April 25, 2010)

“Meghan McCain has weighed in on the tough new immigration law signed Friday by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer. She has taken a stance that is at odds with her father, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz…The March 27 murder of longtime Cochise County cattleman Robert Krentz, Meghan McCain writes, brought “the issue of drug smuggling and illegal immigration front and center in state politics.”

Arizona Daily Star: 400 protest at rally; voices of support at McCain forum (April 25, 2010)

“Immigration continued to dominate the political conversation Saturday at a rally with U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, in a town hall with U.S. Sen. John McCain – and in a Twitter posting from President Obama…But pointing to the murder of rancher Robert Krentz, he said border problems need to be addressed not only for citizens here but for immigrants, who aren’t protected under American laws and are preyed upon by criminal elements.”

Arizona Republic (AP): How Arizona became center of immigration debate (April 27, 2010)

“The frustration had been building for years in Arizona with every drug-related kidnapping, every home invasion, every “safe house” discovered crammed with illegal immigrants from Mexico…The anger over immigration-related violence reached a boiling point in late March when a popular cattle rancher named Rob Krentz was gunned down along with his dog on his property near the border. With authorities suspecting an illegal immigrant, politicians seized on the killing to argue that border security is dangerously weak.”

Arizona Republic: Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano: border secure as it’s ever been (April 27, 2010)

“Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano this morning gave assurances that she’s made tremendous progress on securing the border, telling the Senate Judicary Committee that it’s “as secure now as it’s ever been.”…Napolitano said that since the death of Cochise County rancher Rob Krentz, DHS has “surged resources” in the area, deploying additional air support and mobile surveillance systems. Additional Border Patrol agents were also brought to the Douglas area, though she didn’t say how many.”

Arizona Republic: Arizona: the nation’s punching bag (April 28, 2010)

“OK, so you know it’s big when Shakira gets involved…Tell it to the family of Cochise County rancher Rob Krentz, who was killed last month on land his family has owned since before statehood. Even Napolitano concedes he was probably killed by a smuggler. Tell it to his neighbors, the southern Arizona ranchers who live in a war zone, where bad guys with big guns have the run of the place.”

Arizona Republic (Editorial): Law is a plea for U.S. action (April 28, 2010)

“Arizona enacted an ugly and indefensible immigration law. But the new national pastime of slamming Arizona as a replay of the old segregated South is misinformed…The feds did nothing as rancher Robert Krentz was murdered on his border-area ranch.”

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