We get e-mail.........

The opinions expressed in news articles submitted by readers, editorials or letters/e-mail posted on this site do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Voice of Citizens Together. Such items are posted for informational purposes only. If you would like to send e-mail to the VCT webmaster, CLICK HERE.  NOTE: PUBLISHED ONLY ON AMERICANPATROL.COM AS FAR AS WE KNOW.

10/11/01

Combat illegal immigration

To the Arizona Republic
(Not published as of this date)

Dear Editor,

The recent order by the governor for a special session of the legislature called to appropriate $20 million in aid for medical services to illegal aliens, once again demonstrates how the public is being ill served.

This is further illustrated by senator Kyl who has proudly reintroduced a bill, cosponsored by senator McCain, to reimburse states and localities for processing and detaining illegal aliens who commit crimes and for federally mandated health care for illegals. This tidy sum of $1.6 billion over the next four years is to help defray the "overwhelming costs" of ensuring that criminal illegal aliens are brought to trial and providing emergency medical care to illegals. It comes with an impressive title: The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program II ("II" because it follows a similar bill passed in 1995, to the tune of $585 million.) and Local Medical Emergency Reimbursement Act. Admittedly, it amounts to about 30 cents on the dollar. And I bet some folks thought they only came to do the work Americans won't do for intolerably low pay.

None of these acts of political generosity with our tax dollars do anything to stem the "invasion" (which, under earlier leadership, Arizona once recognized.)

Yet, there is plenty the state can do. Carrier laws that regulate how people are transported; wildcat taxi laws; unsafe vehicles, etc. The governor and the attorney general can ask INS to deputize as agents, state and local officers for full enforcement of federal immigration laws. Federal courts already recognize this power exists.

But then, this would require political courage and would certainly bring the wrath of cheap labor interests. Now, however, there is another dimension. Arizona is known as the drug and illegal alien corridor for the Nation. We should demand that everything possible to be done to prevent being used as a corridor for terrorism, especially biological. Foot and mouth disease comes immediately to mind. It is within the governor's power to declare an immigration emergency, which would set in motion the mobilization of law enforcement across the state to put a clamp on the border with Mexico. We may only get one wakeup call.

Bob Park, Founder, Article IV - Section 4 Foundation, Prescott, AZ