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Napolitano: U.S. to boost Ariz. immigration control
Few details of plan revealed by governor

Mary Jo Pitzl
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 19, 2006 12:00 AM

Gov. Janet Napolitano says the state has found a willing partner in the federal government, which will help the state and county beef up immigration control in Arizona.

In a brief news conference Monday with Alonzo Pena, special agent in charge of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Arizona, as well as Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Napolitano gave few details, other than to hold the promise of greater cooperation.

"We are talking about how to develop a comprehensive strategy to develop an interior enforcement plan," said Pena, who started his job two months ago.
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That means more focus on the Phoenix area and places in northern Arizona, where many illegals move toward as they disperse through the country, he said.

It also could translate into a get-tough approach for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, as well as an educational component to help employers avoid being duped into hiring illegal workers, Pena said.

Napolitano said state police already are authorized to inquire about the immigration status of people whom they stop, but the dilemma has been what to do with a suspected illegal immigrant.

"The problem is we didn't have a federal partner to turn an illegal over to," she said, suggesting that the agreement will end that stalemate.

Arpaio said the changes will happen soon and suggested some may be controversial.

In a letter Monday to Michael Chertoff, director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the governor noted that every time the Arizona Department of Public Safety has asked ICE for assistance since Pena arrived in September, the request has been granted.

Arpaio said his office has benefited as well: All inmates released from county jails have been transported to the border for deportation since Pena started with ICE.

In the letter, Arpaio and Napolitano asked Chertoff to double the number of enforcement agents in Arizona. Officials won't release the number deployed in the state, citing security concerns.