Border Enforcement Legislation Proposed by AZ Senator

(State Capitol, Phoenix) Senator Tim Bee has SB 1273 to develop a ground based radar system along Arizona's border with Mexico to increase border enforcement and to deter illegal immigration. The $20 million pilot program, administered by the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, will be implemented in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, local sheriffs, chiefs of police, private property owners and military facilities along the border. The wide area intrusion detection system is a combination of radar and cameras that provides 360 degree scanning potential. These permanent and mobile radar systems have been effectively utilized by Arizona's military facilities and other countries around the world to secure their borders. This system has the capacity to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in extreme conditions, and requires minimal personnel to operate. As part of the program, a site assessment will be done to determine the number of systems necessary to cover the area. It is estimated that one permanent ground based radar system will provide coverage of approximately 6 miles of border and 60 square miles of area. Senator Bee is also co-sponsoring three other immigration related proposals, introduced by Senator Barbara Leff (R-11). SB 1157 creates a crime for violating the Federal law of entering into this country or being in this country illegally and prescribes a class 6 felony for the first offense, a class 4 felony for subsequent violations and a class 2 felony if the person has drugs, weapons, precursor chemicals used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine or has property that could be used for the purpose of terrorism. SB 1158 appropriates $75 million to be distributed as grants over five years to county sheriffs and other state and local law enforcement agencies that operate in counties along Arizona's border. The grants may be used for additional officers, equipment, judges, prosecutors, public defenders and support personnel. The purpose is to proactively enforce the new law proposed in SB 1157. SB 1159 appropriates $40 million to build two prisons in the border counties to house illegal immigrants prosecuted under the new law. Senator Bee said, "The federal government has not done enough to address the problems illegal immigration has brought to southern Arizona. We cannot wait any longer for our border, residents and property to be protected from illegal immigration. This immigration reform package provides the tools necessary to protect Arizona and its citizens."