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Feb. 13, 2006


AZ lawmakers vote to fund troops on border
JACQUES BILLEAUD
The Associated Press
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PHOENIX - The Arizona House voted Monday to require Gov. Janet Napolitano to follow through on her proposal to increase the number of National Guard troops who are helping crack down on illegal immigration at the state's border with Mexico.

The lawmakers also agreed to provide $5 million in state money for the plan by the governor, who has asked the Pentagon to pick up the costs and said her ideas for using border troops would be impossible without complete federal funding.

Republican Rep. John Allen of Scottsdale said his state funding proposal would either let the Democratic governor carry out her plan - or force her to explain why she did not.

"She planted an idea that she knows the public supports, but she also did it to where she knew she wouldn't have to do it," Allen said.

Napolitano spokeswoman Pati Urias declined to comment on Allen's proposal and criticism. The measure, which was approved 36-20, now moves to the state Senate.

Arizona, the busiest illegal entry point on the U.S.-Mexico border, already has about 170 National Guard troops stationed at the border assisting federal and state officers with communications, fence construction and anti-drug efforts.

Napolitano wants to extend the National Guard's border efforts to have an unspecified number of troops work at border crossing points, assist with cargo inspection and operate mobile observation points so they can report suspicious activity.

Some Republican lawmakers have criticized Napolitano as trying to paper over a weak record on immigration, citing vetoes of bills that the governor said wouldn't lessen Arizona's border problems.

Last year, Napolitano signed a law creating the state crime of migrant smuggling and declared a state of emergency in the state's four border counties, a move that freed up more than $1 million to help authorities confront illegal crossings.

Public pressure is mounting for state politicians up for re-election this year to confront the problem, even though immigration has long been considered the sole province of the federal government.

Supporters of Allen's proposal said the state needs to take action because Arizonans are frustrated with the federal government's failure to adequately confront illegal immigration.

Opponents said putting troops at the border will not prevent immigrants who are seeking better paying jobs from sneaking into the country and that the state should instead crack down on employers who violate federal law by hiring illegal workers.

Democratic Rep. Pete Rios of Hayden, an opponent of the bill, said the federal government has chosen not to stop illegal immigration.

"Businesses and corporations on this side of the border are very powerful, and they need that labor in order to make the profits that they are making," Rios said. "That's why this issue has not been resolved."