http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanlui ... 689425.htm

LA mayor-elect breaks with governor on civilian border patrols

MICHAEL R. BLOOD

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa said Thursday he opposes civilian volunteers patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border to discourage illegal immigration, putting him at odds with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"We need our Department of Homeland Security, which patrols the border ... to address the issue of security," Villaraigosa, who was elected Tuesday, told CNN. {typical cop out from stooges like him}

"We have an old saying from the days of the wild, wild West ... leave your gun outside of the city limits," Villaraigosa added. "It doesn't make any sense for people to take the law into their own hands." {but millions of Mexican invaders taking the law into their own hands is ok with him}

In comments last month that were criticized on both sides of the border, Schwarzenegger praised the so-called Minuteman Project in Arizona, which enlisted hundreds of volunteers, some armed, to patrol the Arizona border to document and report illegal crossings.

"I think they've done a terrific job, and look, they've cut down the crossing of illegal immigrants by a huge percentage," the governor said in a radio interview. A day later he called the federal government "irresponsible" because it has not acted to safeguard the borders.

Aides to Schwarzenegger have said the governor would not object to Minuteman volunteers coming to California, but noted that they would not be allowed to carry weapons under state law. President Bush has called the Arizona volunteers "vigilantes."

Schwarzenegger spokesman Margita Thompson had no comment on Villaraigosa's remarks.

Villaraigosa spokesman Joe Ramallo said the Minuteman controversy was not a priority for the mayor-elect, who will be sworn in July 1.

"The mayor has his plate full with the issues facing our city - first and foremost crime, education and transportation," Ramallo said. {I thought his first priorities were putting on extra lip gloss for his buddy Vicente Fox }

It's a three-hour drive from City Hall to the border, but illegal immigration was only a passing issue in the mayoral campaign.

Mayor James Hahn and Villaraigosa, a city councilman, each called on the federal government to enforce immigration laws. And both said they did not believe police officers should contact immigration officials when illegal immigrants are discovered during traffic stops or arrests. {Of course not. Wouldn't want the cops to take away their only source of votes}