Thread: Napolitano's border moves split Democrats

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The Business Journal of Phoenix - 6:53 PM MST Monday
Napolitano's border moves split Democrats
Mike Sunnucks
The Business Journal
Gov. Janet Napolitano's new-found, get-tough approach to border security and illegal immigration continues to spawn criticism from rival Republicans and has split Democrats.

Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva, a Democrat representing parts of Tucson, Nogales, Yuma and the Southwest Valley, worries Napolitano is going too far to the right on immigration.

"Although the congressman feels that Gov. Napolitano's strategy is politically astute, he has been critical of her new border policy for several reasons, specifically the enforcement-only approach to the border, which will not solve the immigration problem, and the lack of consultation with members of the Arizona delegation," said spokeswoman Natalie Luna.

"He felt it has put comprehensive immigration reform on the back burner, so to speak," Luna said.

Grijalva ranks as one of the more liberal members of Congress while Napolitano takes a more centrist approach to most issues.

Napolitano spokeswoman Pati Urias said the governor backs a comprehensive approach to immigration including a guest worker plan and "tough, realistic" policies.

Napolitano has called for state fines against employers who hire illegals; wants the Pentagon to pay to send more National Guard troops to the border and has put forward $100 million in her state budget for immigration-related security measures.

The governor has made illegal immigration and the Mexican border a top issue as she faces re-election in November.

The Democratic governor previously did not support sending state National Guard troops to the border. Some Hispanic Democrats -- including state Rep.

Ben Miranda -- are critical of that move saying it will not improve security and will be too costly.

The governor is also getting some backing for her border efforts.

A group of Southern Arizona Democratic officials including Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, Yuma County Attorney Jon Smith, Santa Cruz County Attorney George Silva and Douglas Mayor Ray Borane all back Napolitano's border efforts.

Republicans -- such as West Valley Congressman Trent Franks, gubernatorial rival Len Munsil and Arizona GOP chairman Matt Salmon -- point out the fact that Napolitano opposed such moves during the 2002 campaign and during her previous time in the governor's office.

U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl is the latest Republican to take hit at Napolitano, telling a Phoenix-area media outlet that the state should be doing more to help curtail illegal immigration and border-related crime including the drug cartels.

Napolitano, a Democrat, has routinely criticized the Bush administration and federal government for failing to provide enough resources and money to secure the border and help states like Arizona deal with illegal immigration.

Arizona Democratic Party chairman Harry Mitchell counters that it's the Republican-controlled Congress and Bush administration that has been slow to dedicate resources to the border. Kyl favors a guest worker program accompanied by a very get-tough immigration enforcement approach, including requiring the estimated 11 million illegals already in the U.S. to return to their home countries and reapply for status.

So far Janet is all talk and no action. I'm patiently waiting for some of her promises to be implemented.