HEREFORD, Arizona -- Tea party activists supporting Arizona's illegal immigration law were rallying along a remote stretch of the Arizona-Mexico border about 70 miles west of Nogales in support of the law that a judge put mostly on hold last month.

The United Border Coalition, which is an event organized by United We Stand for Americans and the Tea Party Caucus as well as more than a dozen other groups, held the rally near a stretch of border wall made of 15-foot steel posts set closely together to prevent people from crossing the border.

Demonstrators attached hundreds of U.S. flags with messages about curbing illegal immigration to the posts and chanted, "U-S-A," after a handful of spectators gathered on the Mexico side of the border.

One of the messages posted on the border wall read, "Mister President ... Secure This Border For America."

Several speaking to the crowd of more than 400 demanded Congress and President Obama devote more resources to increase border security in remote areas like the site of Sunday's demonstration south of Tucson.

"We are going to force them to do it, because if they don't, we will not stop screaming," said former state Sen. Pam Gorman, one of 10 Republicans vying for an open congressional seat in north Phoenix. Gorman carried a handgun in a holster slung over her shoulder as she mingled with demonstrators.

A federal judge has put on hold the most contentious provisions of the law, including a section that would require officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws if they had "reasonable suspicion" that the person was in the country illegally.

Among those speaking at the rally Sunday was Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, known for his tough enforcement of immigration laws in Arizona's most populous county. He said immigration enforcement goes far beyond the nation's border and the Mexican Government should welcome U.S. border patrol or military forces to go after drug cartels south of the border.

"Don't just say border enforcement, that's a cop out," he said. "Let's say lock them up in the interior."

U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth, who is challenging Arizona Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary Aug. 24, also spoke at the event.

Betsy Bayley, 55, a stay-at-home grandmother in Hereford, said she has felt less safe in her home during the past two or three years because she's seeing more drug smuggling.

"My government should protect me so I can feel safe on my own property," said Bayley, red white and blue beads strung around her neck as she huddled for shade against the steel fence.

"That's my right as an American. I should feel safe on my own property."

Steven Nanatovich, 42, a retired Army Ranger from Sierra Vista, said illegal immigration probably doesn't affect him as much as others because migrants pass through his backyard to live in communities farther north.

Nanatovich said he supports Arizona's tough new law cracking down on illegal immigrants. He said he can barely leave Sierra Vista without being asked his citizenship at a border patrol checkpoint, so he doesn't find the law burdensome.

President Obama signed legislation last week to hike the number of Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents along the border. The $600 million package passed on a bipartisan basis, one of the few areas where lawmakers have agreed this year.

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said that securing the border is a major part of immigration policy.

"The fact that we're deploying technology as well as additional about 1,500 agents along the border shows that we're very serious and we have to -- if we have to do more, we should do more. And that, I believe, is the view of the president," Reed said on "Fox News Sunday."

But after witnessing the president signing the legislation, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, a former Arizona governor, said the amount requested for border security "is what we thought would be enough."

Not hardly, said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who appeared with Reed.

"I'm glad the administration has come around to support more boots on the ground, more UAVs, technology. But last year there were 540,000 people, roughly, detained coming across the border illegally. Forty-five thousand of them came from countries other than Mexico ... So this remains a very serious national security problem. And I think until we do actually secure the border, until we do actually enforce our current law, I don't think the American people are going to have confidence in the federal government."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/15/tea-partiers-rally-arizona-border-mexico/

I think Sheriff Joe is eyeing a higher office. He has been traveling A LOT giving speeches at Republican and Tea Party events.

Sheriff Joe for Governor ... is Brewer term-limited?

No, she's up for re-election this year. I would like to see him in Washington actually.

Before ya' go jumpin'-for-Jan, check her numbers and see how many Illegals they have apprehended, how many business have been emptied of them and how many Americans or Legal Migrants have taken those jobs.

Laws can be implemented. Doesn't always mean they will be pro-active in making sure they are enforced.

Huh?

I'm all for gettin' rid of the Illegal.

I would question her motive.

How long has she been in office.

If she has been in for more than one term, why hasn't she pushed for this Law before.

Oklahoma passed a tough Immigration Law a couple years ago and it was questioned as to why surrounding States didn't support Oklahoma by passing similar Laws in the attempt to keep the Illegal on the run.

The surrounding States failed Oklahoma.

"nuther question. Why did she wait til close to an election to push this Law?

Question authority. Especially Politicians. Only one that I know of does stuff without expecting to personally gain from it.

What does Jan have to gain?

Wouldn't that be the dream ticket? Ron and Rand running together?

Got to agree ... until this election cycle, no one had ever heard of Jan Brewer. Makes y' wonder about her timing. Like every other professional politician, she's an opportunist with her finger to the wind, and she 'leads' by following popular sentiment. Although her state's new law IS the right move, where was she before ... ? Sheriff Joe, on the other hand, has been enforcing laws for years for both legal AND illegal perps. It's only since the AZ law has been passed that Big Sis Nap (AZ's ex-gov, btw) decided that DHS will no longer accept cases referred them by AZ. Cute, huh? Brewer NEEDS to be questioned about where she stands and why she took so long to get to this point - and what she'd do IF she's elected to higher office. We know what NOT asking questions got us in '08 - it's sitting in the White House now. Fool me once, shame on you ... won't be no 'fool me twice' moment ... Remember: The only proper attitude to hold regarding politicians is contempt.

I used to live in Bisbee, Herford is just a stones throw away from there..McCain has a brother who owns a ranch there...most of the ranchers there have been known to use illegal aliens as ranch hands, and when it comes time to pay them their wages its a common practice among the ranchers to call up immigration to have their "workers" deported and save themselves the money owed...

All hypocrates...but hey,keep america pure, right??

Two feelings about that.

One, That's one way the rich keep the wealth.

Two, The Illegals know the risks when they come without invitation. IE, illegal invasion.

I love all these comments from people who don't live in Arizona....I DO live here...and am a native.

Just to clear up a couple points, Jan Brewer is not seeking re-election....she was never elected. Brewer previously served as Secretary of State of Arizona until then-Governor Janet Napolitano resigned after being selected as Secretary of Homeland Security in January 2009. Brewer became Governor of Arizona as part of the line of succession, as determined by the Arizona constitution.

SB 1070 was sponsored by Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce. He was the one pushing the legislation that was signed into law by Governor Brewer.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio will not run for Governor. He's 78 years old now and is the most popular Sheriff this state has ever seen. He enjoys the position he currently has and as far as I understand, he has no intentions of doing anything else.

Now, here is the thing that really gets me about securing the southern Arizona Border. Our southern border is about 360 miles long. There are currently about 3,600 Border Patrol Agents patrolling our Arizona border with Mexico. That comes to about 10 Agents per mile. Why the hell can't they secure it!

If I was in charge, I would build 360 Border Patrol Staions....one every mile along the entire border. If they cost $1 million a piece, that's cheap. Staff each outpost with 10 Agents that we currently have on payroll. Now if these outposts are a mile apart, they should be able to detect any movement between each other...maybe deploy lasers and non-lethal weaponry to deter anyone who attempts to cross.

Could solve this whole damned issue with a measley $360 million appropriation for construction. And think of the jobs this could create?

Just my idea....

hey now, don't confuse the issue with practicality. it needs to be a long and drawn out process, that makes little, if any, sense to anyone.

Actually there is talk within the Republican Party that Sheriff Joe is considering a higher office.

Second it wouldn't be hard to secure the border. Like ive said over and over. Build a three layer fence, then put all the same detectecion equipment and CCTV equipment that we have securing Area 51 aling the whole fence line. Then give about two dozen Predators and have non stop flights 24/7 along the border. (Oh and by the way, the CIA has the capability from UAV's to detect tunnels too.)