Governor Continues to Frustrate Legislative Efforts to Curb Illegal Immigration -- Vetoes Another Major Border Enforcement Bill

(State Capitol, Arizona) Contrary to her rhetoric on border enforcement issues, Governor Napolitano, on April 17, continued to avoid doing anything meaningful to stem the tide of illegal immigration by vetoing the measure that would have made it a state crime to be in Arizona after entering the U.S. illegally. Under Senate Bill 1157, being in Arizona in violation of immigration laws would have created a class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense. Subsequent arrests would have subjected illegal aliens to being charged with felony offenses. The bill was designed to give local law enforcement a tool they have never had before. In situations where there is reason to believe that a person is in the United States illegally, state and local officers would have had a basis to hold and transfer the person to federal authorities or bring that person in on a state charge. Bill sponsor, Senator Barbara Leff, said, This bill was intended to give law enforcement a tool to use in pursuing their duty of protecting the public. Being forced to let illegal immigrants go free after apprehending them in the desert, at a drop house or in a van is not in the best interest of the public. President Bennett said, I dont know how the governor can reconcile what she says with what she fails to do to protect Arizona in this escalating crisis. The legislature continues to provide the opportunity to put critical tools in place to stem the tide of illegals flowing across the border, the governor continues to avoid enacting them at every turn. House Speaker Jim Weiers said, Gov. Janet Napolitano talks tough when it comes to border issues but her actions show a public official willing to welcome hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens into Arizona. We need a governor who backs up tough talk with serious action." SB 1157 would have also created a fingerprint database of those charged with this crime, especially critical in tracking coyotes, drug dealers and other dangerous elements among illegal border crossers. Its obvious deterrent affects were also lost with [this] veto. Governor Napolitano has already this session vetoed a $10 million appropriation to fund the use of National Guard troops to reinforce Arizonas southern border after last year vetoing nearly a dozen measures passed by the legislature to address various aspects of the illegal immigration crisis. The governor has previously supported drivers licenses for illegals and vigorously opposed Proposition 200 in 2004 that voters passed overwhelmingly which denied public benefits to illegals and took steps to ensure that only citizens cast ballots at Arizonas voting booths.