Posted on 08/15/2005 8:52:17 PM PDT by Ladycalif
PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano declared an emergency Monday in four border counties because of problems related to illegal immigration and moved to provide local governments in those counties with up to $1.5 million in state funding. Napolitano's order said failure by the federal government to secure the border allowed a flood of illegal immigration that threatened public health and safety, "thereby necessitating immediate action by the state ... to aid its border counties.'' Napolitano's order directly released $200,000 from the state's emergency fund for disasters while her emergency council released an additional $1.3 million, spokeswoman Jeanine L'Ecuyer said. The money is intended for use by counties and municipalities for a variety of purposes, including overtime pay for law enforcement officers, repairs of border fences, costs related to illegal immigrants' deaths, L'Ecuyer said. Napolitano's action followed by three days a similar declaration by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Arizona is the nation's busiest entry point for illegal border-crossings, and illegal immigration has emerged as a significant political issue. Crimes and other problems associated with the border include illegal immigration, vehicle thefts, drug smuggling and property damage. "All of this, bottom line every last bit of this, is a federal responsibility but the federal government has not done what it needs to do and has promised to do,'' said L'Ecuyer. She added that the actual damage and the level of frustration compelled Napolitano to act. The four counties — Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz and Yuma — and local governments in those counties now will apply to the state Division of Emergency Management for money. Some already have approached the state with requests and decisions on funding could be made within four to six weeks, L'Ecuyer said. "Some of them already have a good idea in writing of what they need,'' L'Ecuyer said, citing the city of Nogales' desire for overtime pay for police patrols near the border and a similar requested by Santa Cruz County for overtime pay for deputies as well as money for crime scene kits, night-vision goggles, riot gear and radios. Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada said the funding was welcome but not enough. "We have obviously not received the attention and assistance from the federal government that we feel we deserve,'' Estrada said. Estrada said a measure of the severity of the border-related burdens placed on his county is evident in the inmate population of the county jail in Nogales. Half of the jail's 100 inmates are Mexican nationals, most of them illegal immigrations who were arrested for crimes committed in Arizona, he said. A Republican legislator who has introduced numerous bills targeted illegal immigration said Napolitano's action was welcome but "way, way overdue.'' "It's Janet come lately,'' said Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa. "She should have done it months ago. She should have done it two years ago.'' Richardson's declaration Friday covered four New Mexico counties along the border and let him free up money to help law enforcement, to pay for a state Office of Homeland Security field office, to fence a Columbus-area livestock yard where cattle have been killed or stolen and other similar efforts. The executive order made $750,000 immediately available to Dona Ana, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo counties, and Richardson pledged an additional $1 million. Napolitano and Richardson are both Democrats. In a related development, U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake said Richardson's declaration indicates the need for Congress to act on immigration legislation. "As Arizonans well know, the federal government's inability to control the border has been a crisis for some time,'' Flake, R-Ariz., said Monday. Napolitano also has accused the federal government of repeatedly failing to act on illegal immigration, particularly on reimbursement of state and local government costs for apprehending, prosecuting and imprisoning illegal immigrants who commit crimes in Arizona. In July, Napolitano had the state Department of Public Safety convene a closed-door meeting of law enforcement officials to explore ways to lessen immigration problems in Arizona. Those talks included discussions of a pilot project being launched by the state to have a dozen DPS officers trained to assist local police and federal agents in immigration cases. Napolitano drew criticism earlier this year for vetoing a proposal to give state and local police authority to enforce federal immigration law. She said the bill didn't provide any money to carry out the duties.
Another OBL shill governor has had a sudden change of heart? I don't think so.
Good. States take responsibility where the Fed crumbles. Why not? Now we need similar action in Texas, California, and I suppose the entire northern border against Canada.
Why do I get the feeling that in both Arizona and NM the money will some how end up helping illegal invaders.
Impressive! First Governor Richardson and now Governor Napolitano. Moving quickly to take this issue away from President Bush.
When I see these about face threads I feel the need to check the pantry stock in case they know something I don't.
Well I don't know for sure, but it might be because you're a keen judge of character?
The polls say Americans want the borders secured, and democrats think through polls. If the polls say jump, they jump.
Hope they do some real good work down there (At least it takes Bush and the Republicans off the hook). Let the democrat states deal with the horrors. They created it, let them fix it.
Be nice if she would stop dragging her feet and implement Prop 200.
And maybe close down those taxpayer-funded illegal alien centers where they can hang out and wait for a job.
OK- I'm gonna check my ammo, speedloaders, and clean my guns.
Have not heard...
Now, do not get me wrong: I know that Richardson and Napalitano do not give a rats behind about the borders, but that makes no difference to the millions of peeples who do not really follow things as closely as we do here.
The Republicans have really backed themselves into a corner. And, President Bush just does not seem to give a damn about the border situation!!
As I have said many times before: Republicans have nothing to fear, except themselves.
Are you all ready for a DeathoCrat President?
--- Napolitano drew criticism earlier this year for vetoing a proposal to give state and local police authority to enforce federal immigration law.---
This year, folks! And 3 days after Gov. Richardson's surprise declaration she's a become an anti-illegal immigrant warrior princess...
Napolotino vetoed the voters proposition 200.
She is a fraud.
She is against voters having to show id to vote which would make it harder for illegals to vote. She called it discrimination.
The dem governor of arizona has hurt the cause of toughening up the borders.
What about TX?
Hillary will be the dems nominee in 08 and she has a pro illegal voting record she can't hide from.
Hillary as as a senator has voted for amnesty for illegals in the ag bill, against more border agents, against more detainee beds, railed against the real id act saying it wasn't the fault of the illegals.
To laraza hillary championed affirmative action for illegals, helping to pay for tuition for illegals, and in state tuition for illegals.
Hillary is also against a fence on the border citing enviornmental concerns.
In 08 with Hillary as the nominee and Howard Tom Tancredo basher Dean the gop will own the immigration issue.
Bill did nothing for 8 years as president on illegals and hillary has a terrible voting record on illegals as senator.
I think the "Rush to Cross the Border" is on. At this point it is even getting to the likes of Napolitano. Hang on folks it is going to get much worse!!! Here they come!!! Thanks administration!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.