State, local GOPs rally to support border fence bill
State, local GOPs rally to support border fence bill
BY JOHN STAPLETON
July 21, 2011 - 2:52 pm

Sen. Steve Smith (R-Maricopa) kicked off the launch of the website www.BuildTheBorderFence.com at Tommy’s Bistro in Casa Grande last night.

At the event, prominent state Republicans spoke to a full house on border control and illegal immigration.

Along with Smith, Senate President Russell Pearce (R-Mesa), Rep. John Fillmore (R-Apache Junction), Attorney General Tom Horne and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio talked about border control and the need for the State Legislature to address the issue.

Smith said he was going on two hours of sleep, as he had been fielding questions from across the nation. He said he was receiving calls that questioned the reason for building a fence. Smith cited drugs, terrorists, gangs and an exploitation of the Social Security system to those who claimed it wasn’t a national problem.


Senator Steve Smith, right, with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Photo by John Stapleton.

“Arizona didn’t ask for this fight,â€