TUCSON — The sheriffs for 31 counties along the U.S.-Mexico border said the discussion over border security needs to move beyond the idea of a wall, which they described as a "lighting rod of division" that has detracted from meaningful debate on the issue.

Their statements are found in a three-page letter issued Jan. 8, the same night President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office, and amid the longest federal government shutdown amid disputes over funding for portions of Trump's border wall.

The wall, the letter reads, "is a soundbite, not a cogent public policy position."

The document was signed by Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot, who also chairs the Southwest Border Sheriffs' Coalition.

But the sheriffs argued for stronger security measures, citing concerns with public safety as it pertains to transnational criminal groups and trafficking, security concerns over who is crossing the border and concerns over vulnerable migrants' human rights.

Build barriers only where they make sense, sheriffs say

"There are many places where physical barriers make sense and are in fact the best solution to securing the border," Wilmot said. "They should be constructed without delay.

"In other locations, we need to turn to technology, which thanks to modern advances is robust and effective. In other areas, we need more human resources to ensure security," the letter continued. "Likely, in all locations we will need some blend of physical barriers, technology and human resources to be successful."

The document placed a special emphasis on securing the nation's legal border crossings, which sheriffs say "are not being discussed enough and are a major vulnerability."

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Most the hard drugs seized along the U.S.-Mexico border are smuggled through ports of entry.

The ports also are dealing with serious infrastructure issues because the aging buildings have not kept pace with growth in the border region.

The ports also struggle with changing immigration policy dynamics, especially as the Trump administration funnels asylum seekers to legal border crossings that have little space or staff to handle them. The problem is compounded by a severe staffing shortage, with nearly 4,000 customs officer vacancies unfilled nationwide.

Border sheriffs: Pay attention to ports of entry

The president's proposed border-security package does little to address many of those issues. His request includes $675 million for nonintrusive technology to help detect drugs at the ports and $800 million to house and care for detained migrants and asylum seekers.

The border sheriffs said it was vital for the United States to pay attention to the ports and to promote the "effective" flow of legal trade, commerce and traffic between the two countries.

"Allowing citizens the ability to cross into the United States to engage in legitimate commerce is also vital to the economy of border regions," the letter read.

By contrast, besides the $5.7 billion for 235 miles of physical barriers along the border, Trump is also requesting for $782 million to hire 750 more Border Patrol agents and 2,000 immigration officers.

The sheriffs reiterated that they do not have the funding, nor is it their responsibility, to carry out proactive immigration enforcement in their counties.

Wall not the only solution, sheriffs say

But they said they would continue to collaborate with the federal government to help secure the border.

"The mechanism of how this is done is far less important to Sheriffs than getting it done," the letter concluded. "The idea that a wall is the only solution because it is permanent is misguided. A wall that is not monitored, enforced or maintained is only an impediment not real security."

In a separate letter, the Arizona Sheriff's Association, which represents the sheriffs for the state's 15 counties, echoed the position outlined in Wilmot's letter.

Using more forceful language, they insisted there was a crisis on the border, although it was not new, and not manufactured, according to the letter, signed by Coconino Sheriff Jim Driscoll, who presides over the state association.

Sheriffs want a voice in border talks

Their letter also reiterated one of the most common arguments local law enforcement agencies have made amid discussion over border security, that they have a seat at the table:

"Sheriffs need to be heard as part of our nation’s address of how to handle this crisis. Between us, we have hundreds of years of experience handling public safety issues related to border security and illegal immigration in our counties," Driscoll said. "Too often, Sheriffs have not been heard or effectively consulted. That is a lost opportunity to bring the real experts to the table."

The Southwest Border Sheriffs Coalition represents 31 counties situated within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, according to their website. Nearly two-thirds of them, 20 in all, are on the Texas border. New Mexico has five counties represented, Arizona has four and California has two.

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Arizona's border sheriffs regularly have taken leadership roles in border-security matters. Aside from Wilmot serving as the chairman for the border sheriffs coalition, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels is a member of Homeland Security Advisory Council, which helps shape policy on border issues.

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