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SAHUARITA — The debate over a permanent Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 19 has divided residents who live along the busy smuggling corridor.

At a public meeting Tuesday, two committees made up of residents issued conflicting opinions about the permanent checkpoint.

One committee studying the checkpoint delivered a full endorsement, deeming permanent inspection stations efficient deterrents to illegal immigration and a necessity to prevent terrorism.

Another committee researching alternatives then expressed its total opposition, citing concerns about the effectiveness of permanent checkpoints.

The two committees were part of a larger working group of residents formed by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz. The group spent the past four months investigating permanent checkpoints in Southern Arizona.

The opposite recommendations were delivered to a boisterous crowd of more than 500 people who filled the Sahuarita High School auditorium, some of whom favored the permanent checkpoint and others who oppose it.

Outside, people opposing the permanent checkpoint held signs that read, "Secure the border at the border" while others wore shirts that read, "Don't surrender our border." Supporters of the permanent checkpoint had signs that read, "We support our Border Patrol and the permanent checkpoint."

The Border Patrol will review the recommendations from the two committees as it moves forward with its plans for a permanent checkpoint, said Robert W. Gilbert, Border Patrol Tucson Sector chief.

"What I heard tonight is a lot of ways to make that path a better path and make that end product a better product," Gilbert said. "Both of these groups obviously did a lot of homework, put in a lot of time."

Giffords said she'll come up with a strategy for moving forward after reviewing the recommendations and reading a written response from the Border Patrol. She didn't come out in full support or opposition to the permanent checkpoint. When asked, she said she thinks all options should be on the table, including the permanent checkpoint.

She emphasized on numerous occasions that a permanent checkpoint isn't a done deal.

On Monday, Gilbert said in a press conference that it's a matter of when, how and where, but not if, a permanent checkpoint will be built on I-19.

The agency for years has used a checkpoint that moved to different locations.

"In order to build a permanent checkpoint, you need authorization and you need funding," Giffords said. "The funding is not even close to being authorized and that is the power of Congress."

About what she would say to the residents opposed to a permanent checkpoint, she said:

"My job isn't about about making people happy. My job is about representing the best interests of Southern Arizona. We have had checkpoints along the I-19 corridor well over 10 years and our world has changed. We know that border enforcement and border security is really critical to the interests we have in our country."

The residents who endorsed the checkpoint said it's not their place to question the Border Patrol's expertise.

"We can't tell the U.S. Border Patrol to secure the border while in the same breath tell them the how to do it," the committee's endorsement read. "That kind of arrogant mentality is what gets troops killed and loses wars."

Border Patrol agents "are the boots on the ground that risk their lives to protect our lives every day," the committee stated.

That group's 30-minute presentation elicited gasps, laughs and comments from many in the auditorium. At the conclusion, some in the crowd applauded.

Giffords asked the audience a couple of times to refrain from heckles, remarks, jeers and applause.

The opposing committee called a permanent checkpoint unworkable and said it wouldn't recommend it for anywhere in the Tucson Sector. That group's three major concerns are:

● Effectiveness: Permanent checkpoints have been used for three decades along the southern border and yet illegal immigration and drug smuggling continue at high levels. No study demonstrates they work better than roving checkpoints, the committee said.

● Community safety: Smugglers and illegal entrants will find other routes around the checkpoint. That will put communities such as Amado, Tubac, Tumacacori, Rio Rico and Green Valley at risk, they said.

● Cost: Dealing with those issues will put a financial burden on local law enforcement agencies.

There was mixed reaction from audience members about the meeting.

Pat Flowers of Green Valley said it gave her a chance to hear both sides of the issue.

June Wortman of Green Valley said the meeting will have little impact on plans already in the works by the Border Patrol.

"We have no voice, this is simply a futile exercise in pretending we have a voice," said Wortman, who opposes the permanent checkpoint. "It's farce. They are going to do what they want."

Read more coverage of the border at azstarnet.com/border