Thread: Securing the border

http://www.borderlandnews.com/apps/pbcs ... /603060314

Local news Monday, March 6, 2006

Securing the border

Candidates say state must take bigger role

Brandi Grissom
Austin Bureau
Monday, March 6, 2006

AUSTIN -- Democratic gubernatorial candidates say Republican Gov. Rick Perry's recent moves to send more money, personnel and equipment to beef up security on the border is too little, too late.

"It seems to me it was more an election-year ploy than really a serious effort to stem the flow of immigrants into Texas," said Chris Bell, former Houston city council representative and U.S. congressman.

Bell and Bob Gammage, leading candidates for the Democratic nod in the primary election Tuesday, agreed with Perry that the responsibility for securing the Texas- Mexico border lies with the federal government. They also agreed the state must step up in the absence of federal action.

But they said the $10 million Perry has granted to the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition for Operations Linebacker and Rio Grande is not enough and that the governor must take a more active role in drawing attention to border concerns.

"Border state governors are in a position to shine light on these issues and get the ball moving forward," Bell said.

The Perry campaign derided the Democrats' criticism and said the governor is the only candidate who has offered and begun to enact a plan to increase border security.

"This is the same song, different verse from the Democrats running for governor," said Perry spokesman Robert Black. "They have immense amounts of criticism but absolutely no plan to address the challenge."

Both Democratic candidates said they oppose building walls along the border, as a U.S. House plan calls for, and allowing vigilante groups like the Minutemen to patrol for illegal border crossings.

The two differed, though, on just how the state should be involved in securing the border.

Gammage said state and local law enforcement ought to supplement U.S. Border Patrol efforts.

"It's an international problem, and it's going to take both state and federal resources," he said.

He also said state and national leaders need to increase cooperation with Mexican government and law enforcement officials.

Bell said he has concerns about increasing the burden on local law enforcement and is interested in following the example of Arizona's Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano.

She has proposed investing about $100 million for increased border patrol and immigration enforcement in that state. Napolitano has also said she is prepared to use state money to pay for National Guard troops along the border.

"I want to see how the Arizona plan works out, utilizing the National Guard," Bell said. "It would be more expensive for the state of Texas, ... but if it's successful there, I think we're going to have to perhaps consider that type of plan."

When it comes to reforming the immigration process, Bell said there are some steps the state should take to stem the tide of undocumented immigrants, but it's a federal responsibility to overhaul laws that allow foreigners to stay in the United States.

He said he supports legislation proposed by U.S. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., that would allow undocumented immigrants already in the country to apply for temporary six-year visas and create an identification system.

"They're not going to simply work here for a couple of years, then sign up to be deported back home," Bell said. "It hasn't happened in our history, and it's laughable to think it's going to happen."

Gammage said the state should stringently enforce workplace laws that prohibit employers from hiring undocumented immigrants.

The best way to curb illegal immigration, though, is for Texas to take a more active role in promoting investment in the Mexican economy, he said.

"The illegal immigration exists because folks on the other side of the border are willing to come here and work hard for substandard wages," Gammage said.

Both candidates said they support allowing in-state tuition at public universities for undocumented immigrants, a policy independent gubernatorial candidate Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn has criticized.

The two also said they believe the state should accept the burden of educating children of undocumented immigrants.

"Call it good neighbor, call it good Samaritan, call it good sense, call it human compassion, call it self-service, because if you invest in those children, they're going to grow up and become good productive residents," Gammage said.

Perry spokesman Black said the governor has been a national leader on border security and immigration issues, speaking before Congress, Department of Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff and President Bush.

He said Perry would continue to push for federal legislation that balances Texas' economic and security needs.

"Neither one of these two gentlemen have any idea how to address concerns on the Texas-Mexico border," he said.

The Democrat who wins Tuesday's primary election will face Perry, who faces only minor primary challengers, in the Nov. 7 general election. Independent gubernatorial candidates Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman could also make it onto the November ballot.

Brandi Grissom may be reached at bgrissom@elpasotimes.com; (512) 479-6606.

whew...I sure don't like either of those candidates...heaven help us.

RR