Thread: AZ: Governor hopefuls call for border security

Governor hopefuls call for border security
GOP gubernatorial candidates' plans for tackling issue differ

by Ginger Rough - Jul. 4, 2010 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

This year's crop of gubernatorial candidates is spending a lot of time campaigning and meeting with residents on the Arizona-Mexico border. They're talking tough on illegal immigration and border security. And they're attacking each other for being lax or taking the wrong approach to the problem.

And for good reason - perhaps no issue has played a more pivotal role in this year's election.

Immigration and border security have been driving forces behind Gov. Jan Brewer's election campaign, taking the incumbent from a position of vulnerability to what appears to be a significant lead in the GOP primary.

It has thrust Arizona into the national spotlight and reignited a nationwide debate about comprehensive immigration reform,

And the issue continues to resonate with would-be voters. Recent polls suggested that a candidate's stance on immigration would be a key factor in deciding their vote.

But in the gubernatorial race, it can be difficult - particularly on the Republican side - to differentiate between the candidates when it comes to their immigration-related platforms.

The three front-runners - Brewer, state Treasurer Dean Martin and Paulden businessman Buz Mills - all advocate for a "secure border" and are unflinching in their support of Senate Bill 1070, the state's tough new immigration law.

They are also highly critical of the federal government, saying repeatedly that Washington has failed to do its job. The Obama administration disputes that, saying there are more resources than ever on the border. Since 2004, the U.S. Border Patrol has doubled in size to about 20,000 agents, and the number of people caught crossing illegally has dropped from about 1.2 million in 2005 to about 541,000 in 2009.

The feds say that's a sign that fewer people are trying to enter illegally because of the tougher security measures.

Political rhetoric aside, there are definite differences in the candidates' proposals for tackling illegal immigration and border issues.

Brewer, who has become a national figure for the anti-illegal-immigration movement since signing SB 1070 into law on April 23, has outlined a plan that focuses heavily on pressuring the federal government to increase its border-security efforts.

She has asked for more equipment, including helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, plus additional funding and National Guard troops for interdiction and surveillance.

Brewer, as governor, has the authority to deploy the Arizona National Guard to the border, but she has chosen not to, citing the state's ongoing budget crisis.

"We are not able to sustain that, given the structural deficit," she said. Besides, she adds, the state shouldn't have to pay to do the job the federal government won't.

In the coming months, Brewer said, she hopes to persuade Arizona's congressional delegation to push for legislation that would allow the U.S. Border Patrol to secure federal lands near the Mexican border without the help of the National Guard. Brewer believes that would enable the state to combat drug traffickers and other criminals more effectively.

Meanwhile, two of her primary opponents, Martin and Mills, are adamant the governor is taking the wrong approach. They say that if they were in the state's highest elected office, they wouldn't wait on the federal government.

Both said they would deploy the Arizona National Guard immediately at state expense.

"We just can't wait on the feds any longer," Martin said. "They've simply failed to do their job."

Last month, Martin released a multi-pronged "Zero Tolerance" plan that calls for working with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to create a statewide tent-city-style jail system to house at a low cost illegal immigrants who have been convicted of crimes. Martin's plan says it would be better to contract with local law enforcement to house illegal immigrants in temporary facilities, rather than in state-run prisons.

Other components of Martin's proposal include the completion of a border fence to be funded both through private citizen donations and state monies, and proposing legislation to create a relief fund to compensate Arizona ranchers and border property owners for damages they incur when "illegal aliens and smugglers cross their property."

Mills, meanwhile, wants a 500-person Department of Public Safety task force dedicated to intelligence gathering, law enforcement and security.

"We need to get these people on the border in support of local law enforcement and take control of this situation," he said.

He also said he opposes amnesty and supports the provisions of Proposition 200, which denied certain public benefits to illegal immigrants, and required proof of U.S. citizenship to register and vote.

On the other side of the spectrum is Matt Jette of Apache Junction.

The political newcomer and self-described moderate has broken ranks with his Republican brethren and pushes for comprehensive immigration reform that includes an increased emphasis on stopping drug smuggling.

Jette, who opposes SB 1070, said he instead would work to create "border crossing cards" that would allow immigrants to legally work in Arizona and have them to pay taxes, thereby helping the state's economy.

He also said he would work with Mexico to create pilot programs to improve cooperation and trade.

Jette accuses his Republican opponents of perpetuating a climate of fear when it comes to immigration, and he maintains that many of those crossing into Arizona illegally are simply trying to find work.

"You are not going to solve any problem by building a higher wall," Jette said.

The winner of the GOP nomination is expected to face presumptive Democratic nominee Terry Goddard, who, like Jette, said he would work cooperatively with the federal government on comprehensive immigration-reform efforts.

Such efforts, according to his website, would include expanding the number of work permits allowed and requiring those who enter the country illegally but want to become citizens to pay back taxes and fines, learn English and pass a criminal-background check.

Goddard, who also opposes SB 1070, said the state needs to rethink its approach to human smugglers and drug cartels, including aggressively going after their financial operations and networks.

He touts his efforts to prosecute smugglers and the cartels as attorney general and says that merely putting troops on the border or building a wall is not the answer.

"These people (the cartels) can understand and exploit the seams in just about any system that gets thrown up there," he said. "So the answer is to go after the criminal organization. That's what is putting us at risk."

www.azcentral.com

There goes Terri, as a child of privilege, totally unable to understand the displaced citizens' perspective. All he can see is a problem with the drug cartels. Not to minimize it but once the drug cartels and the gangs are gone we still have citizens being forced out of jobs. Today the news said that ADOT was going to give us a break from tolerating their construction this July 4th holiday. More likely they don't want citizens with time on their hands going by the construction crews which have appeared to be entirely Mexican for years. Plus not wanting to pay overtime.