Thread: Trespass law for border security loses steam (AZ)

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/border/128298

Trespass law for border security loses steam
Republicans balk at costs related to entrant arrests
By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.09.2006

PHOENIX — An increasing number of Republicans are balking at putting a new trespass law into a comprehensive border security package.

A two-hour meeting of House Republicans on Monday found support for funding border radar and for sanctions against companies that knowingly hire undocumented workers. And there appears to be consensus to fund National Guard troops in Southern Arizona without a provision that Gov. Janet Napolitano finds unconstitutional.

But enough Republicans balked at creating a new law to let state and local police arrest illegal immigrants that it appears not to have the 31 votes needed for approval by the House.

Much of the reason is money.

Rep. Marian McClure, R-Tucson, noted that the proposal from GOP leadership makes only $30 million available to local communities. That is supposed to cover the time and expenses of police in arresting those not in this country legally, the costs of pretrial incarceration and the expenses of prosecutors and courts.

That amount, she said, will not be enough to avoid "crippling" counties.
Rep. Tom O'Halleran, R-Sedona, figured just jail costs for one person run $25,000 a year. And Rep. Russell Jones, R-Yuma, said his own county sheriff predicted jailing costs alone of $21 million a year.

The rising opposition to a trespass law drew derision from Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert. He said legislators pass new criminal laws all the time without worrying about the cost.

And Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said the state would save more in the long run by not having to provide services to illegal immigrants. But House Speaker Jim Weiers acknowledged there is nothing in the proposal to pass those savings on to local law enforcement.

Rep. Jennifer Burns, R-Tucson, said she also fears a new law would result in those here illegally not reporting when they are victims of crimes. "We're putting a target on the immigrant community," she said, making them easy prey for criminals.

And Burns said if lawmakers aren't concerned about immigrants as victims, they should be concerned about them as witnesses.
"Maybe it's my brother who's the one that gets killed, and the only witness is an illegal alien," she said. "And then we have the problem that I don't receive justice because the people that witness the crime are unwilling to come forward."

Farnsworth said that's no different from others who don't report lawbreakers like bank robbers. But Rep. Mark Anderson, R-Mesa, said there's a difference: This country never ignored laws dealing with bank robbers the way it has on immigration.

"We said, 'Hey, have a job. Here, put your kids in school. Here, have some benefits,'" Anderson said.

Anderson, who voted for a stand-alone trespass bill last time, said there's also a practical issue. "I don't want to see us pass a bill that the governor's going to veto," he said. Napolitano rejected an earlier immigration bill and has said she would kill any package with the same provisions.

But the possibility did not bother Republican senators at their own caucus Monday. Sen. Dean Martin, R-Phoenix, said the best solution might be to stop worrying about what Napolitano will do and instead put the package — trespass provision and all — on the ballot.

Um, well. Looks like this knock down drag out in AZ might need a little STEAM. We are just the people to deliver it.

Need a little activist help here.

Please find what you can about this bill and place copies in this thread.

Ive got the link to the AZ Assembly contact info already.

Let's get the material together where i can review it and we will unleash our national Activists on AZ starting in just a few hours.

Everyone ready to get down to AZ to kick some butt?

W

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/DocumentsF ... ber=SB1157


http://www.governor.state.az.us/dms/upl ... Letter.pdf

Alipac links


http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-26256-trespass.html


Napolitano derails GOP measure on border security
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-24559-trespass.html


Bill would allow police to arrest illegal immigrants
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-22559-trespass.html

Lawmakers water down offense for illegal entry
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-22424-trespass.html

Border trespassing bill moving
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-18546-sb1157.html

Bonanza of border bills
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-15889-sb1157.html

What the enemy thinks of the bill

http://www.aol.hispanicbusiness.com/for ... rms=sb1157

http://www.azpolice.org/main.asp


APA Opposes SB1157

The Arizona Police Association (APA) has joined with other police groups around the state to request that Governor Janet Napolitano veto the recently passed SB1157. The APA’s decision was difficult because the sponsors of this bill are living up to the responsibility to protect their constituents and are not waiting for federal action that may or may not come; however, “we cannot allow citizens and officers to be placed in great danger to arrest a few undocumented persons while the border remains a revolving door,” Executive Director Dale Norris stated.

The federal government has failed to adequately staff and fund border operations and immigration enforcement. Border patrol officers face a continual barrage of violence and an onslaught of criminal minded border crossers without the manpower, equipment or legislative will to stop it. Mr. Norris states, “All resources should be focused on the securing the border now!”

Mr. Norris stated, “Local law enforcement is not staffed nor prepared to enforce federal immigration laws as this bill requires.” Mr. Norris, a retired Phoenix police officer, states that the new law creates 500,000 suspected violators in Arizona but provides no training, staffing, funding or resources to compensate for the additional burden on local agencies. “While officers spend hours prosecuting this law, who will come when citizens call for help?” Additionally, Mr. Norris mentioned that this law may cause undocumented persons to distrust their local police and fail to cooperate as victims or witnesses.

The APA is a statewide coalition of police organizations that focuses the political efforts of its nineteen member groups that represent nearly 7,000 federal, state, county and local law enforcement officers including nearly 2,000 border patrol agents.

Although police disagree with the approach taken in this bill, they too want the border secured. Every member of the Arizona Police Association is honored to serve and committed to protecting the good people of Arizona.


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Perfect.

W

Here's the AZ contact info.

W

Instead of arresting illegals, make it difficult for them to obtain employment by prosecuting employers. No jobs, no motivation to come or stay. Pass legislation that allows private citizens to sue employers of illegals, and give the citizen attorney fees and a statutory fine. A second fine is sent to a fund to cover state/federal immigration enforcement laws.