Altmire to the border

Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, is a noted immigration hawk, and this weekend he's showing his bona fides by taking the second trip to the Mexican border of his Congressional tenure, in a trip arranged by the staff of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who was wounded in a shooting earlier this year. According to Altmire's office, the purpose of the trip is "to get an update on border security infrastructure and efforts to combat smuggling." Altmire will also meet with Arizona ranchers.

 “Congresswoman Giffords has always been a key leader on immigration enforcement and border security issues,” Altmire said in a release. “At the request of her office, I am travelling to Arizona to meet with her constituents, federal immigration officials, and border patrol agents about how we can enhance our border security. We have made significant progress in securing our borders in recent years, and I am eager to learn what more we can do to combat crime and stop illegal immigration.”

Above: The U.S.-Mexico fence ends at the Pacific Ocean (Photo by Bisayan lady/Flickr).