Dec. 16, 2004
Gov. Rick Perry (center) visits with Mexican Govs. Natividad Gonzalez Paras of Nuevo Leon (left) and Eugenio Hernandez of Tamaulipas
Posted on 08/18/2005 6:40:20 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
SACRAMENTO - With New Mexico and Arizona declaring a state of emergency over illegal immigration, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday that he'll monitor the situation and could take similar action if the local problem worsens.
Govs. Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Janet Napolitano of Arizona took action after a series of violent incidents along the U.S.-Mexico border. A state of emergency allows each to dedicate about $1.5 million more to stem illegal immigration.
Schwarzenegger said California would follow suit ''if there is a need.''
''Right now we are having the things somewhat under control, so there was no reason for it yet,'' the governor said in an interview with San Diego talk radio host Rick Roberts. ''But if there is a reason for it, we definitely will do that.''
The money spent by Arizona and New Mexico will help pay for additional patrols and other costs.
According to a study by the Washington, D.C.-based Pew Hispanic Center, California has about 2.4 million undocumented immigrants, the most of any state, out of about 10.3 million in the United States overall.
About 57 percent of the undocumented nationally were from Mexico.
But the most rapid growth, the report said, was in Arizona and North Carolina, while California's share has declined over the years. In 1990, California had about 45 percent of the country's undocumented population, while today it has 24 percent.
Some anti-illegal immigration groups in California would like to see California declare a state of emergency, but also say it needs to go even further.
Assemblyman Ray Haynes, R-Temecula, has authored a proposed ballot measure to establish the California Border Police, which would make arrests and enforce illegal immigration laws, currently considered a federal responsibility.
The measure is estimated to cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year to implement, as well as more hundreds of millions to the economy in lost revenue from illegal immigrant labor. But it also could save state and local governments hundreds of millions in other costs for services to illegal immigrants.
''We need the California Border Police because the federal government is not doing the job,'' said Dave Gilliard, the political consultant running the ballot measure-signature drive. ''They've let down California and Californians. They're not providing the security we need to protect ourselves. Basically we have an open border with Mexico now.''
Nativo Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Association, said the state needs neither a state of emergency nor the Border Police. Instead, he supports a federal bill by Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., that seeks to strengthen border protection but also creates a system of guest worker visas allowing those who would like to work here without citizenship to do so without taking the risk of sneaking over the border and dealing with smugglers.
''It's a clarion call by those states to exact from the federal government its corresponding role to provide adequate resources to secure the border,'' Lopez said.
Lopez said Arizona and New Mexico are having far more difficulties than California with their borders, because of a ''militarization'' of the California border implemented under President Clinton.
''And therefore the declaration of emergency by Arizona, for example would not be appropriate to California,'' Lopez said. ''I think the governor is correct.''|
Schwarzenegger said California would follow suit ''if there is a need."
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There is a need, Governor - a BIG ONE!
Yes, Arnie, nice wording --- TO THE TUNE OF $10 BILLION A YEAR IN TAX PAYER REVENUES GOING TO SUPPORT CRIMINAL INVADERS!!!!
You have a budget problem??? THEN FIX IT !!!!
WTF. The guv needs to get out more. The Bay Area is CRAWLING with illegals.
So....um....where is Rick Perry on all of this?
"So....um....where is Rick Perry on all of this?"
======================================
Probably on the phone getting political advice from his handlers.
Gee, ya think?
Gov. Rick Perry (center) visits with Mexican Govs. Natividad Gonzalez Paras of Nuevo Leon (left) and Eugenio Hernandez of Tamaulipas
Bump comment number 6. Arnold is stalling. He needs more motivation.
He knows, he just does not want to step out of line, but once others get more onvolved he will act.
He needs more momentum/traction from others (especially from other governors), then he will act. He is in the center of the problem and he needs some backup.
Hmmmm?? Arnold doesn't think getting rid of $9 BILLION in costs to the state to support these illegals with welfare, housing, medical, education, etc. - "is a need" ..??
"Is there a need?"
noooooo, we like spending NINE BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR while illegal aliens stay here!
gezzzzzz, the longer this clown stays in office; the dumber his comments get!
if these actors don't have a script, they don't know what to say! LMAO
where's my WALL???
If Fox is howling over AZ and NM, you know it's the right move.
Boy oh boy. These liberal governors sure are making news lately. First Richardson takes action to secure the NM border, then Napolitano in Arizona and now Arnold in Kalifornia. I don't trust any liberal. Even if he/she is a Republican. But I must say, they're sure upstaging PresBush.
Thank you for your email to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Governor appreciates hearing from concerned and involved Californians, as well as from individuals all over the world who have an interest in California. Governor Schwarzenegger is committed to restoring your confidence in state government. As the Governor has said, with hard work and your help, California will once again be the "Golden Dream by the Sea". Due to the unprecedented number of emails sent to the Governor, there may be a delay in immediately responding to your email. Please know that the Governor's office is making every effort to respond to your inquiry and will ensure that your voice is heard by the Governor. To help us respond to you, please include your email address when you communicate with the Governor's Office. Please note that we are unable to accept e-mail attachments because of the risk of Internet viruses. We ask that you please send your attachments via traditional mail to:
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Again, thank you for your email. Governor Schwarzenegger is proud to serve you and all Californians.
Here's the response FWIW.
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