"And, once again, Arizona law requires that you witness a felony in progress, except for a few narrow misdemeanor exceptions which do not apply here."
Arizona law actually requires arresting agents to witness felonies in progress? Geez, I guess it's really hard to bring a murder, rape or robbery to trial then, huh? In other states, only misdemeanors have to be committed in the presence of the arresting person. Arrests can be made for a felony based on probably cause only.
Look, if the feds won't or can't enforce exisiting law, states can and should give greater authority to agents (public safety or private bounty hunters) to apprehend offenders and turn them over to the INS. As you said,
"the important thing to note here is that no such authorization has been made"...exactly why demands should be made at the state capitol instead of the border. It may come down to the feds giving states the money to tackle this problem. Without funding, state legislatures aren't likely to get agressive about enforcement, either.
I don't see what can be accomplished by the 20mi watch, but I don't think the answer is in Washington, either. I think the solution lies with the states, and I think ultimately the politicians in DC may be happy to let them do the job. If hiring illegals is profitable, then catching them might be, too. The idea of hiring private contractors (bounty hunters) to police our borders may seem outrageous, but 30 years ago people laughed at private prisons, too.
Via con dios.
Being in the US illegally is not a felony and entering the US illegally is not a felony, unless you were previously deported.
In Arizona, as long as the illegal is on public property, no citizen can arrest him.
For CITIZENS arrest. Try to stay on the subject.