Associated Press - April 29, 2009 4:04 AM ET

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Pima County's Sheriff says checking the citizenship status of students enrolling in Tucson-area schools would help border security while deterring immigrants from crossing the border illegally.

Clarence Dupnik said immigration checks during school enrollment would eliminate some of the area's social woes.

He cited the south, southeast and west sides of Tucson as areas that have prominent social problems that can be linked to illegal immigration.

Dupnik said Tuesday he has no plans to conduct immigration sweeps at Tucson schools, calling it "repulsive and repugnant."

Information from: Tucson Citizen, http://www.tucsoncitizen.com

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