Barber to visit Douglas on Monday | News

Monday Ron Barber, the U.S. Representative will be touring the U.S.-Mexico border, and will receive a briefing from Border Patrol officials, as well as meet with the Mayor of Douglas and ranchers from Cochise County.

“As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, it is critical that I have firsthand information on the challenges facing the constituents of this area, local law enforcement and the Border Patrol as well as their current enforcement strategies,” Barber said today. “I am committed to strong communication with residents of the border area and Border Patrol officials to make sure we are taking action to secure our border.

“I also want to continue to hear what is happening on the border from those who live there,” Barber added. “I take the responsibility of being one of only 10 members of the House who represent a district on the southern border very seriously. I want to share what I learn from my constituents with all my colleagues in Washington so they understand exactly what is happening on the ground and why immediate action is necessary.”

Barber will be briefed by Border Patrol officials including Manuel Padilla, deputy chief patrol agent. He will also tour the Border Patrol station in Douglas and hear about the challenges facing officers as they patrol the area east of Douglas.

Monday afternoon Barber and Border Patrol officials will tour a portion of the border near Douglas and discuss current and future Border Patrol initiatives and strategies.

Following the briefings, Barber is scheduled to meet with Douglas Mayor Manny Ortega Jr. to discuss local issues including the aging international port of entry in the town. Ortega is a Douglas native who is vice president of Ortega’s Stores Inc., a family-owned business that has been in operation for 89 years. He has been mayor since June.

Barber will end his day with a meeting of residents and ranchers along the border to update them on some of his recent work on border security and to hear from them about activities along the border. The border-area ranchers and residents are among those who regularly participate in border-security conference calls organized by Barber’s offices and often involving other officials as well.

Barber is a member of the House Border Security Caucus and one of the lead sponsors of the United States-Mexico Cross-Border Security Act. This bipartisan legislation calls for the United States and Mexico to work cooperatively to fight Mexican criminal organizations that threaten people living on both sides of the border.

Shortly after he was sworn into office in June, Barber voted for legislation that would help the Border Patrol pursue smugglers who operate on land along the U.S.-Mexico Border.

Before taking office as a member of Congress, Barber served as district director for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. In that position, Barber was the congresswoman’s lead staff member on border-related issues.