We have to fix border, Sheriff Scott tells meeting

Naples Daily News
March 4, 2011 Friday
By Laura J. Gates

"If you don't fix a leaky sink, eventually you're going to have a big mess on your hands."

That's how Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott related the problem of illegal immigration to members of a Republican Committee Club of Bonita and Estero during a meeting Thursday night at the Worthington Country Club.

"America has had a leak for many years in this country; it's called the southern border," Scott said. A vocal Republican, Scott is very adamant about the mess illegal immigration has become to the U.S.

"As a nation, we let the leak go, and we didn't fix it," he said.

"Now, we have severe damage; we have flooding. We have a major problem."

Drug dealers and terrorists are now using the same entry method as those who have come for years in search of a better life across the border.

Narco-terrorism was the main topic of training Scott received at the FBI Academy last year.

He said much of the problem Americans now have with human trafficking also stems from illegal immigration.

While most illegal immigrants simply come for a higher paying job, others enter, and re-enter, with much more sinister motives, Scott said.

And even those who don't cause problems are still breaking the law.

"Being in the U.S. illegally is a criminal offense," Scott said.

"Some people apparently do not or refuse to understand that."

Scott repeatedly highly criticized President Obama's administration for suing those who try to crack down on illegal entry into this country, like Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the states of Arizona and Texas.

Although Scott asserted his staff does not profile, he said the Sheriff's Office asks every person who is stopped for a legal reason to provide identification.

If they cannot provide ID or give a straight story, they are brought to jail until their identity and legal status can be determined.

Cracking down on illegal immigrants in the county is one reason Scott believes in aggressive traffic enforcement, he said.

"You don't know what you get when you stop a car."

Scott said the number of illegal immigrants in Lee County has dropped in recent years, but not from law enforcement efforts.

More likely, it's a result of the economic recession: There just aren't as many jobs available. A few years ago, 2,000 to 3,000 people were crossing the border illegally every day, Scott said.

With fake identification and many employers willing to look the other way, most find higher-paying jobs in the United States.

Much to Scott's embarrassment, 22 illegal immigrant workers were found painting the new county jail.

How they get into the country is a serious problem Scott is powerless to stop.

"Your Lee County sheriff is responsible for a lot," he said. "It's an honor and a privilege and a challenge. But one thing we cannot control is that border."

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