Posted on 07/24/2005 9:42:43 AM PDT by BenLurkin
If the state is to form its own police force to guard the U.S.-Mexico border, it will be up to citizens to make it happen. No, not via a force of civilian volunteers like the Minuteman Project, but through the signature-collecting initiative process.
State Assemblyman Ray Haynes' (R-Murrieta) proposed constitutional amendment to create a force called the California Border Police was killed in the Legislature, but the initiative just went into circulation after its ballot title and summary were approved by the state attorney general.
The Antelope Valley's representatives support the effort, with state Sen. George Runner (R-Lancaster) and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) endorsing the initiative and Sharon Runner serving as an honorary co-chairwoman for the push.
On Friday, L.A. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said he also supports the concept of creating a state border police force.
"Illegal immigration has taken a profound economic toll on Los Angeles County," said Antonovich spokesman Tony Bell.
"While legal immigrants provides a benefit to our culture and our economy, illegal immigrants cost county taxpayers upwards of $360 million annually for health care and $150 million annually for criminal justice. That's not to mention other costs, including education and other public services."
The initiative "should accompany the federal government moving forward to secure our borders and reimburse local governments for unfunded mandates," he said.
Statewide, the fiscal costs associated with the state's 3 million illegal immigrants are estimated at $9 billion a year.
Registered voters who want to circulate or sign the initiative can go to www.CalBorderPolice.com to order petitions. A minimum of 598,106 valid signatures are required by Dec. 12 to place the initiative on the June 2006 ballot.
Supporters envision an agency similar to the California Highway Patrol, with trained, sworn officers patrolling the border to stem the tide of the estimated 500,000 illegal immigrants who enter the United States each year.
The agency would cost the state some $300 million a year, but could save California $4 billion to $5 billion, according to the Web site for the initiative. Along with patrolling the border, the agency would be charged with investigating employers who put illegal immigrants on their payrolls.
This would send a serious message to the White House, if this blue state with a heavy Mexican population voted in support of this initiative. Can anybody who lives in Cali give us an update? What are the chances this gets on the ballot, then passes?
What's wrong with the same thirty foot high security wall being used successfully in Israel?
"While legal immigrants provides a benefit to our culture and our economy, illegal immigrants cost county taxpayers upwards of $360 million annually for health care and $150 million annually for criminal justice. That's not to mention other costs, including education and other public services."
These politicians get it right! It won't be long until other states follow suit. Illegals are going to bankrupt many welfare systems, many states. I for one, am sick of footing the bill for them. Let Bush pay for it. He's the one who wants them here.
It is my opinion that the figure above is approximately the greater Los Angeles area illegal immigrant population level.
Nobody has any idea how many illegal immigrants are in the state or nation. Estimates range from 6 million on the low end to 25 million on the high end, for illegal immigrants in the nation. One of the major problems with quantifying that figure, is that the federal government is doing it's best to legalize as many of the illegal immigrants as it can, as fast as it can.
This doesn't lessen the problem, it simply makes the problem that much harder to address in a competent informed manner.
LAUSD schools are inhabited by a child populace that is more than one third the children of illegal immigrants. Does that mean that one third of LA's inhabitants are illegal? I doubt it, but we are pushing it.
The best place to guard it is on the Mexican side. The real problem is Mexico - its corrupt, dysfunctional elites are driving its people out as a means of maintaining their power. The ONLY solution to the tidal wave of illegal immigration from Mexico is another Mexican revolution, which itself will make things worse for a while.
3
illegals aren't the only issue.
there's $200,000,000,000 of drugs coming across the border.
you mess with that + you'll be dead, either killed by the mexian cartels or some american officials' mafia.
That is a beautiful sight.
Your post is sad (for this Nation) but true!
Initiatives.
Referendums.
Both will be required to get government back under control.
They are now doing the things that benefit them.
They'll have to be forced to do the things that benefit us.
State Assemblyman Haynes truly cares about the security of his state and his country.
Thanks!
We have a winner! Anything less is trying to plug a leaky dam with water-solvent plugs.
Sadly not in our lifetime though, especially with our government's present attitude of aiding and abetting. Just imagine, a Mexico that gives its people a chance to blossom on their own turf - illegal immigration vanishes and Mexico takes off - a win-win for everyone. Except the cheap labor proponents.
Resurect the BERLIN WALL? Gets my vote....
ping
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
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