Thread: AZ: Harper proposes state-sanctioned militia to patrol borde

Harper proposes state-sanctioned militia to patrol border

By Luige del Puerto
Published: November 24, 2010 at 8:56 pm

Sen. Jack Harper has plans to deploy a state-sanctioned, civilian force to observe and report on illegal activity along the U.S./Mexico border, which would likely put Arizona at odds with the federal government.
An Arizona lawmaker’s idea to deploy a state-run civilian force on the U.S.-Mexico border could set the stage for a dramatic showdown with the federal government if the Legislature and the governor follow through on it.

Sen. Jack Harper, a Republican from Surprise, said he plans to introduce legislation next year that would create a government-sanctioned militia that would be allowed to patrol the border to observe illegal activity and report it to enforcement authorities.

Under Harper’s plan, the civilian force would be under the supervision of the Arizona National Guard. Its members would be allowed to carry weapons for self defense. Volunteers would need a fingerprint clearance card or undergo a background check to qualify.

“We can’t afford to have illegal aliens continue to sneak into our state and staying and bringing their children so we get stuck with their educational costs. We can’t afford to continue to provide for them in our hospitals and incarcerate them when they get caught,â€

About damn time! You go Arizona! GO! GO! GO! And if anyone tells you that you can't do this, just remind them that of course you can, you've the right under the 2nd Amendment, you've the authority under Article 1, Section 9, and your state and the people thereof hold the reserved powers under Amendments 9 and 10 of the US Constitution.

Arizona legislator to propose new force for border

by Associated Press (November 29th, 2010 @ 3:02pm)

Comments:3

PHOENIX - In another indication that illegal immigration remains a concern for Arizona lawmakers, a legislator said Monday he plans to revive once-vetoed legislation to create a new state volunteer force that could be used help patrol the U.S.- Mexico border.

Republican Sen. Jack Harper of Sun City West said the legislation he plans to pre-file in December for consideration during the 2011 regular session will be similar to a 2007 bill vetoed by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano.

Harper said his bill would establish a new homeland security force of volunteers who could be called to duty during civil disasters and for border security. The border security role could kick in if the federal government withdraws National Guard soldiers now assisting in border security, he said.

Harper's planned bill is the second immigration- related legislation to surface in advance of the 2011 session. Other legislators said previously they plan legislation to deny birthright citizenship to children of illegal immigrants.

The 2011 bills would follow enactment earlier this year of SB1070, a controversial law on using local law enforcement to crack down on illegal immigration. Also, the state in 2006 passed a law penalizing employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Both of those laws face ongoing court challenges, and a judge blocked implementation of provisions of SB1070.

U.S. Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano, who as Arizona governor vetoed Harper's 2007 bill and signed the 2006 employer sanctions measure, said last month that heightened enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border has slowed illegal immigration. She cited steps that include adding to the ranks of Border Patrol agents and deploying 1,200 National Guard troops to border states for about a year, including 532 in Arizona.

``I do believe they are working hard at it,'' Harper said Monday of the federal effort.

However, the National Guard deployment should not be drawn down as planned later this year and Arizona still needs to do more to reduce education, health care and law enforcement costs stemming from illegal immigration, Harper said. ``We simply need to stop the wave of illegal aliens at the border.''

The force would be deployed in conjunction with the National Guard, which would provide logistics and act as a quick reaction force, Harper said.

``No volunteers would be enforcing the border. They would merely observe and report, and the National Guard would handle any armed incursion of our border,'' Harper said.

The volunteer force would be trained by the National Guard, Implementation details will be worked out by the adjutant general with input from the new committee, Harper said.

Gov. Jan Brewer, who is the National Guard's commander in chief, said Monday that Harper hadn't approach her about his idea. She didn't state a firm position on the proposal but voiced reservations about possible costs to the state and said border security is a federal responsibility.

A House Democratic leader, Rep. Steve Farley of Tucson, said the proposed force is misguided and that the focus on border security should be law enforcement aimed at smugglers.

``We need trained professionals. That doesn't mean everybody and their uncle who wants to go out there with guns,'' Farley said. ``The problem is not going to be solved by putting a whole bunch of amateurs out there.''

The Arizona Capitol Times previously reported Harper's plan to revive the legislation.

Harper, a four-term senator, was elected to the state House in November. He takes his new office in January.

http://ktar.com

Originally Posted by Judy

About damn time! You go Arizona! GO! GO! GO! And if anyone tells you that you can't do this, just remind them that of course you can, you've the right under the 2nd Amendment, you've the authority under Article 1, Section 9, and your state and the people thereof hold the reserved powers under Amendments 9 and 10 of the US Constitution.

AMEN Judy!

The federal government has abdicated their right to any say in the states decisions to use whatever means it takes to protect themselves against the vicious violence, murdering, lack of any godly morality of criminal Mexican cartels along the southwestern border, as it is now creeping into the lives of American citizens. It is an INVASION. Not a threat anymore, an ACTUALITY.

The US government has abandoned the American citizens of our southwestern border, causing mayhem, death, destruction, lawlessness of greedy, immoral, and INHUMAN CARTELS FROM MEXICO to infiltrate into American sovereign territory.

FOR THIS, THE US GOVERNMENT IS GUILTY OF TREASON AGAINST AMERICAN CITIZENS, AND STATES HAVE THE RIGHT, as you stated Judy, TO NOW EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE US OF AMERICA TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO STOP THE INVASION -ACTUALLY A DECLARATION OF WAR BY MEXICANS CARTELS BY VIRTUE OF THEIR COMMITTING ILLEGAL, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND ENDANGERING AMERICAN CITIZENS.

YES, YES, YES! IT'S ABOUT TIME OUR - THE AMERICAN CITIZEN'S - REPRESENTATIVES IN POWER TO DO THEIR SWORN DUTY TO AMERICAN CITIZENS!

Hope the people of Arizona are willing to help with this . If not the ones who do will be persecuted by enemies foreign and domestic .