BAN AZ Legislative Update Jan 2011

Boarder Action Network
Legislative Update: January 17-21, 2011
By Jaime Farrant, Policy Director


I. Introduction: Governor Brewer Files a Budget that puts Arizona on the Verge of a Public Health and Moral Crisis



Governor Brewer announced her proposed budget for Arizona last Jan. 14. The budget dominated this week’s political discussion, given our state’s current financial situation: depending on the estimate, Arizona’s deficit ranges between 1 and 2 billion dollars. However, instead of proposing a budget that considers all available options to save costs and raise revenues for the state, the Arizona Capitol Times described it as one that “hinges on empathy from the federal government, surviving potential lawsuits and a $330 million accounting gimmick that may not be legal”. Governor Brewer’s main plan to reduce government spending is a $561 million cut to AHCCCS, the state’s health insurance program for the poor. The cuts will end coverage for approximately 280,000 people, most of them childless adults, parents of eligible children and elderly, blind and disabled patients. The Governor also proposed a $170 million cut to the university system. However, not all agencies suffered cuts. Governor Brewer requested $8.4 million to hire 100 new correctional officers this year, to be followed by 200 more over the next two years. She also requested a $50 million bond to cover needs at the state's 10 prison complexes.

Speaking of budget cuts, Senator Sylvia Allen (R-Dist. 5) stated to the Arizona Guardian that these will send the message that “we’ve got to preach to people to save up for their colonoscopy, to save up for their welfare visits, to put some money back into their lives and their own responsibilities for healthcare”. The Arizona Guardian also asked Senate President Russell Pearce whether it was realistic for low-income people to save the money necessary for doctor visits and exams. His response was simply "that's the way it used to be."

Read More...

II. Summary of Legislative Bills Filed and Discussed This Week

This was another busy week at the Legislature, with over 350 bills filed. As of the end of Thursday’s session, there are 756 bills before the 2 legislative bodies. Many of them will have a direct impact on Arizonans’ human rights, and on the direction this state takes. The following is a summary of several of these measures, with Border Action’s observations on them.

A. Measures Impacting Civil and Constitutional Rights and Public Justice

Some of the measures filed this week that impact civil and constitutional rights and our public justice system include:

1. HB 2444: Law Enforcement Officer Discipline. Rep. Steve Montenegro, R- Dist. 12. This measure prohibits filing disciplinary procedures against law enforcement officers if the investigation is not completed within 120 days after the employer received notice of the allegation. If disciplinary action is appropriate, the employer must give notice to the officer of intent to proceed with disciplinary action, along with a proposal of the specific action sought. The bill prohibits polygraph examinations in administrative procedures unless the law enforcement or probation officer and the employer agree to its administration. This measure has the effect of making it more difficult to hold law enforcement officers for inappropriate acts.

Read More…

B. Measures Impacting a Secure and Productive Border and Immigration Issues

On Thursday, January 20, the Senate’s Committee on Border Security, Federalism and States’ Sovereignty (chaired by Sylvia Allen, R-Dist. 5) held its first hearing. It began with Sen. Allen introducing the members, and then, by asking Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever and Pinal County Paul Babeu to speak about their county’s law enforcement efforts. 

Sheriff Dever talked for almost 1 hour. He stated that, as a way to resolve immigration issues, “until they (referring to the undocumented) aren’t incarcerated for a long period of time, they’ll continue to come back”. He also declared that there are delegations across the country ready to file bills similar to SB 1070, and that if the federal government “thinks that this is going to die, they are incorrect”. He said that he is interested to see if the Department of Justice will sue other states that pass Arizona-inspired laws. 

Senator Allen asked Sheriff Dever if he would like for the legislature to pass a law that would create a border security voluntary group that would provide him “with more bodies to help”. He responded that if that was ever to happen, that “he would like to see them under the supervision of the sheriff.” He also criticized Border Patrol’s efforts, because they are “scattered and not holding the frontline”, and because of their policy of measuring success by their number of apprehensions, saying “that’s measuring how many fish are in the lake by the number of fish you catch”.

Read More…



1. HB 2537: Immigration Legislation Challenges. Rep. Kirk Adams, R-Dist. 19. This is the House version of SB 1117, which seeks to amend last year’s HB 2162 (passed to amend SB 1070) and authorize the Senate President or House Speaker to direct counsel to initiate legal proceedings or appear on behalf of their respective chambers or on behalf of the legislature in any challenge in a state or federal court to SB 1070 and any amendments to it. Border Action Network spoke at the Senate last week opposing SB 1117, questioning the need of a measure that grants a blank check to these 2 persons to spend taxpayer monies during these difficult economic times.

Read More...

C. Measures Impacting Employment and Workers Rights

1. HB 2263: Discrimination; Enforcement; Damages. Rep. Ed Ableser, D-Dist. 17. This bill seeks to increase the statute of limitations on filing employment discrimination charges to 2 years from 1 year. It also allows the recovering party in unlawful employment practice cases to recover punitive or compensatory damages under certain conditions. This is a positive measure that will help Arizona workers who are discriminated against.


2. HB 2271: Employment; Unlawful Termination; Family Responsibility. Rep. Ed Ableser, D-Dist. 17 (pictured right). This measure prohibits employers from firing or threaten to fire an employee for being notified by a school or law enforcement officer of an emergency regarding the employee's child or for leaving work to attend to the child's emergency, except in cases of excessive abuse of this protection.


3. HB 2367: Public Employees; Prohibited Negotiations. Rep. David Smith, R-Dist. 7. This measure prohibits the state and its political subdivisions from negotiating with a labor organization or employee association representing public employees about employee wages and benefits, hours of work, or other financial issues. This is a bill that seeks to further diminish labor unions’ ability to negotiate on behalf of their members in our state.


Read More…

D. Measures Impacting Education

1. HB 2505 – School pupils; lawful status; state aid. Rep. Carl Seel, R-Dist. 6; Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Dist. 18. This measure prohibits school districts and charter schools from counting children whose parents are unable to prove the child’s lawful presence in the US for purposes of determining average daily membership, the measure used to determine state funding to school districts and charter schools. This bill has the intent of forcing schools to turn away undocumented children from their schools, and an attempt to force a lawsuit to challenge the Supreme Court Decision of Plyler v. Doe, which established that all children in this country are entitled to a free public education.

Read More...

E. Measures Impacting Integration and Civic Participation

Representative Carl Seel (R-Dist 6, pictured left), filed various bills this week that attempt to eliminate the advances made by various groups throughout AZ during last year’s elections to increase voter participation, by making it harder for Arizonans to register to vote and by creating mechanisms to deter organizations from assisting in voter registration efforts. These measures are:

1. HB 2240: Voter Registration; Assistance; Notary. Mandates that voter registration forms include a space for the registrant to provide the name of any person who assisted the registrant, including the name of that person's organization, if any. It also establishes that the signature of the voter in permanent early voter request forms (“PEVL”) be notarized by a notary public. Voters already on the permanent early voting list must submit a notarized renewal within 2 years or their name will be removed. The paper record provided by an electronic voting system must be used in manual audits and recounts on electronic equipment that uses a touch screen system or that is usable with assistive devices.

Read More…

F. Measures Impacting Health Care

While we have a budget that seeks to cut health care services to over 280,000 persons, several other bills were filed this week that will impact health care in our state. These are:

1. SB 1214: Interstate Compact; Health Care. Sen. Silvia Allen R, Dist. 5 (pictured right). This measure seeks to create an inter-state agreement to aggressively oppose President Obama’s health care reform law signed in Congress last year. SB 1214 seeks to:


a. Prohibit governmental agencies from depriving any resident of any party of any party state of the rights and freedoms guaranteed under their respective current or anticipated health care freedom laws.


b. Prohibit government agencies from penalizing residents of these states.


c. Allow cooperation between signatory states that will allow criminal prosecutions of anyone who violates the health care freedom criminal laws of any party state. The measure defines these “health care freedom criminal laws” as any state law that makes it a crime for anyone to interfere with a resident’s enjoyment of the freedoms protected and guaranteed obey the state’s respective health care freedom laws”. These freedom laws, in turn, are laws by which persons’ have the “freedom to pay or not to pay directly for lawful health care services and to participate or not to participate in health care plans and health care systems.”


Read More…

G. Measures Impacting Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

There were several measures filed this week that should concern all of Arizona’s residents, particularly as our state struggles to correct its financial situation. They are:

1. SB 1210: Corporate Income Tax; Repeal. First Sponsor Sen. Lori Klein, R-Dist.6. This measure seeks to eliminate Arizona’s Revised Statutes (“ARS”) Chapter on Corporate Taxes effective December 31, 2011. It also instructs legislative council staff to prepare new legislation on this matter. Under this measure, Arizona’s corporations would not pay any income tax until a new corporate tax code is filed. Considering our state’s financial situation, this is an irresponsible measure that must be rejected.


Read More…

Want to stay informed as the Legislative Session continues? If you haven't already, click here to sign up for Border Action's AZ Legislative Updates!

SB 1070: B.A.N. Info Sessions (Southern AZ)

Infórmate, Prepárate, e Únete!
Reminder: Upcoming Information Sessions
Border Action Network
(Acción Fronteriza)
(Busca la segunda parte en Español)

Tucson

- At 6 PM tomorrow (Friday, July 23rd) an immigration attorney from Tucson, Mo Goldman, will speak about the U.S immigration process and answer relevant questions. (Presentation in English with Spanish translation)

- On Saturday, July 31st, at 6:00 PM., B.A.N. member Griselda Moya-Flores will offer a class on basic traffic laws. (Presentation in Spanish with English translation)

Both of these events will take place at the B.A.N. headquarter office at 842 S. 6th Ave (approximately the intersection of 6th Ave. and 19th St.)

Douglas

- At 10 AM on Saturday, July 24th, Immigration Attorney Mo Goldman will speak about the U.S. immigration process and answer relevant questions. This event will take place at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 749 E. 11th (intersects at D Ave). (Presentation in English with Spanish Translation)

- On Saturday, July 31st, B.A.N. Policy Director Jaime Farrant will present an SB1070 update. Details to come soon. (Presentation in Spanish)

Nogales

- At 5:30 PM on Wednesday, July 28th, there will be an immigration Q&A with attorney Luis Parra. Location information to come soon. (Presentation in Spanish)

Thank you again for your support and we hope you can attend and Inform Yourself, Prepare Yourself, and Unite!




With gratitude,

Border Action Network Staff



Aviso : Sesiones Informativos

Tucson

- Este viernes, 23 de Julio, a las 6:00 de la tarde, abogado de Tucson, Mo Goldman, va a hablar y contestar preguntas sobre el proceso de inmigración en los EEUU. (Presentación en inglés con traducción en español)

- Sábado, 31 de Julio, a las 6 de la tarde, un miembro de nuestra organización, Griselda Moya-Flores va a ofrecer una clase sobre las leyes de tránsito y manejo. (Presentación en español con traducción en inglés)



Los dos de estos eventos van a tener lugar en nuestra oficina en 842 S. 6ta Ave. (la esquina de Ave 6ta y 19th St.) en Tucson, AZ. 


Douglas

- Este sábado, 24 de julio, a las 10 de la mañana, abogado de inmigración Mo Goldman va a hablar y contestar preguntas sobre el proceso de inmigración en los EEUU. Este evento va ser en St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 739 E. 11th Ave. (cruce con D Ave). (Presentación en inglés con traducción en español)

- Sábado, el 31 de julio, director político de B.A.N. Jaime Farrant presentará las noticias más recientes de SB1070. Tendremos más detalles muy pronto. (Presentación en español)

Nogales

- A las 5:30 por la tarde, habrá una sesión de preguntas y respuestas con abogado Luis Parra. Tendremos información del lugar muy pronto. (Presentación en español)


Muchísimas gracias otra vez por su apoyo, y esperamos que puedan asistir y Infórmate, Prepárate, e Únete!


Con agradecimiento,


Acción Fronteriza

Infórmate, Prepárate, e Únete!: SB 1070 Tucson Events

Border Action Network Supporters:

SB 1070 is scheduled to come into effect on July 29th. Border Action Network has scheduled the following events in preparation for the implementation of this law. We invite you and whoever you think would be interested to attend!

First on Saturday, July 17th from 10:00 a.m to 12:00 noon, Border Action Network's Policy Director Jaime Farrant will hold an update on the legal situation of SB 1070 and brief us on the most recent news.

Second, on Friday, July 23rd, at 6:00 p.m, an immigration attorney from Tucson, Mo Goldman, will speak about the U.S immigration process and answer relevant questions.

Third, on Saturday, July 31st, at 6:00 p.m., B.A.N. member Griselda Moya-Flores will offer a class on basic traffic laws.

All of these
events will take place at the B.A.N headquarters office at 842 S. 6th Ave (approximately the intersection of 6th Ave and 19th St) in Tucson, AZ.

Thank you so much for support! We hope you can attend and Inform Yourself, Prepare Yourself, and Unite!

With gratitude,

Border Action Network Staff

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Apoyantes de Acción Fronteriza:

La ley SB 1070 se va a poner en efecto el 29 de Julio. Acción Fronteriza ha programado tres eventos en preparación para la implementación de la ley. Los invitamos a ustedes y sus familiares y amistades que estén interesados en asistir!

Primero, sábado, 17 de Julio, de las 10:00 de la mañana al mediodía, nuestro Director de la Política Jaime ofrecerá una plática sobre las noticias más recientes de la ley SB 1070.

Segundo, el próximo viernes, 23 de Julio, a las 6:00 de la tarde, abogado de Tucson, Mo Goldman, va a hablar y contestar preguntas sobre el proceso de inmigración en los EEUU.

Finalmente, sábado, 31 de Julio, a las 6 de la tarde, un miembro de nuestra organización, Griselda Moya-Flores va a ofrecer una clase sobre las leyes de tránsito y manejo.

Todos estos eventos van a tener lugar en nuestra oficina en 842 S. 6ta Ave. (la esquina de Ave 6ta y 19th St.) en Tucson, AZ.

Muchísimas gracias por todo su apoyo! Esperamos que puedan asistir y Infórmate, Prepárate, e Únete!

Con agradecimiento,

Acción Fronteriza

These lives matter, too: AZ desert deaths soar.

Please keep these migrants and their families in your thoughts...

The bodies of three illegal immigrants were discovered over the weekend and Monday along Arizona's U.S.-Mexico border.

By Brady McCombs Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Monday, April 19, 2010 2:46 pm

Border Patrol agents following the tracks of a group of illegal immigrants came across the body of an adult man on Monday morning northwest of Patagonia, said agency spokesman David Jimarez. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department recovered the body.

On Saturday, agents found a body near Arivaca and Pima County Sheriff's deputies recovered the body. The Border Patrol did not know if it was a man or woman.

Also on Saturday, agents found a man upon arriving to the the location of a signal fire near the village of Pia Oik on the western side of the Tohono O'odham Nation, Jimarez said. They found two men in good health but a third was deceased. He was a brother of one of the survivors.

From Oct. 1 to March 31, the latest figures available, agents in the Tucson Sector have recovered the bodies of 87 illegal immigrants, up from 66 through the same time period in fiscal year 2009.

Border Action Network on SB 1070.

From the Border Action Network:

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Urgent State Action Alert!

The KEY VOTE on Russell Pearce's SB1070 will be this Tuesday!

For the last seven weeks we have been fighting what would become the nation's toughest, most far-reaching anti-immigrant law in the nation. Your emails, phones calls, faxes and postcards have slowed the bill down.  In fact, we were told over a month ago that this bill was a done-deal! But it's not over yet.
On Tuesday, April 13th the House Committee of the Whole will vote on SB1070. This is the last vote in which debate will actually happen.  We must defeat this bill and we must defeat Russell Pearce!  

Click Here to Take Action

If you have any doubts about Pearce's irrational, single-minded focus on pushing immigrant families and everyone in the state further down the path of backwards policies, watch an interview with the Senator on the Sunday Square Off:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid65110967001?bclid=65043824001&bctid=77039865001

 

Note: not a single statistic he tosses out is true. We'll get to that another day…

 

Here's what is happening:

A bill needs 31 affirmative votes to pass the Arizona House of Representatives. The Democrats assure us that they are voting against the bill. There are 35 Republicans in the House. There are 3 who have said they are opposed to bill and will vote against it.  There are a half dozen others in the fence because they have concerns - from churches being potentially charged criminally for "harboring," to no protections for victims or witnesses of crime, to the hidden costs this bill could mean to Arizona, to everyone, regardless of their immigration status, having to carry identification or else risk arrest. 

But some of these concerns could be placated by amendments that will be introduced on the floor on Tuesday. Russell Pearce swears he has the votes…let's make even more of a liar out of him!

Here's what you can do

1. Forward this action to everyone in your address book (you will be shown how after you send your email).

2. Send an email and call your two representatives TODAY and TOMORROW. Their phone numbers will be listed after you submit your Zip Code and before you send your email.

3. If the bill passes on Tuesday, we will return to the Governor's office on Wednesday, April 14th to deliver thousands more postcards at 12:00pm. Please join us!

CALL Brewer: VETO Fascist Legislation HB2632/SB1070.

We need to stop this here, folks. If the governor gets overwhelming citizen feedback to veto, then maybe she'll square off with Pearce over this...  This is the alert from the Border Action network - great links embedded!

 

DON'T LET THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OFF THE HOOK!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

**Join us on Wednesday, March 10th at 12:00pm**

to deliver thousands of postcards to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer telling her to VETO HB2632/SB1070!

Why: Russell Pearce's SB1070 (and similar House version HB2632) is the most far-reaching anti-immigrant bills ever introduced in the Arizona legislature. The bill rolls together seven bills that Pearce has tried to push through the last few years but failed. This year, because of the make-up of the both the legislature and governor, they are likely to become law very quickly.  Click here to read what this bill would do.

Don't let the legislature and the Governor off the hook! Enough is enough!

Let them know they are driving Arizona down a disastrous path that will 1) cost the state millions, 2) chase away businesses, 3) penalize people looking for work, and 4) make our communities less safe and policing less effective.
Here's what you can do:


1. Wednesday, March 10th --Tell Governor Brewer to VETO SB1070/HB2632! Join us at her office at 1700 W. Washington St. in Phoenix
to deliver thousands of postcards demanding she veto a bill that will cost our state millions while attempting to drive out immigrant families. Hear from the breadth of Arizona leaders who are opposed to this legislation and announce the next steps to challenge this law and its proponents like Russell Pearce.

For Southern Arizonans: A bus will be leaving from 842 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson at 9:30am sharp. Reserve your seat today and RSVP HERE! They will go quick. Plan on returning by 3:30pm and bring your own lunch.


2. Download this postcard and get your friends and family to sign hundreds of them. Bring them on Wednesday or drop them off at Border Action Network's office at 842 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson.

3. If you cannot print and sign postcards, sign our online Petition to Governor Brewer urging her to VETO HB2632/SB1070! We will add your name and information to a postcard and deliver them to her office on Wednesday, March 10th.

4.  Sign up to Receive E-Alerts
on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to bombard the legislature and Governor with emails, phone calls and faxes. The Senate already passed Russell Pearce's SB1070. The House of Representatives has two floor votes left for HB2632 and they're likely to rush them through early next week. Don't let them do it without hearing from you!
5.  Download a handout
of all of this information.  If you do not have access to a computer or Internet, this document includes the names and phone numbers of key legislators and the Governor so that you can urge to vote NO and VETO HB2632/SB1070!

Visit www.borderaction.org

for more information.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ALL OF YOUR ARIZONA CONTACTS!

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¡NO PERMITA QUE LA GOBERNADORA SE SALGA CON LA SUYA!

¡YA BASTA!


Este Miércoles, 10 de Marzo a las 12:00pm, Únete con nosotros para entregar miles de tarjetas postales a la Gobernadora Jan Brewer exigiéndole que

VETA a SB1070/HB2632

Porque: SB1070, es un proyecto de ley patrocinado por el Senador Russell Pearce (hay una versión similar en la Cámara de Representantes HB2632) es una de las propuestas anti-inmigrantes mas amplias e horrorosas que han sido introducidas en la legislatura estatal. Esta propuesta combina siete otras propuestas que el Sen. Pearce había fallado de promover en años atrás. Este año, por la composición de la legislatura y con la gobernadora Brewer, esta propuesta tiene una gran probabilidad de ser aprobada. Pulsa aquí para mirar los proyectos de ley y lo que pudiera pasar con estos.

¡No permita que la Legislatura y la Gobernadora se salgan con la suya! ¡Ya Basta!

Están llevando a Arizona en un camino desastroso que 1) le costara a el estado millones de dólares, 2) cerrara negocios, 3) penalizara los que buscan trabajo, 4) creara mas inseguridad en nuestras comunidades, y 5) hará a la policía menos efectiva en proteger la seguridad publica.
Lo que usted puede hacer:

1. Miércoles, 10 de marzo -Dígale a la Gobernadora Brewer que VETA SB1070/HB2632! Únete con la comunidad enfrente de su oficina a las 12:00pm en el 1700 W. Washington St.,
Phoenix para entregarle miles de tarjetas postales exigiendo que VETA esta propuesta. Escucharemos a lideres de varios sectores hablando de su oposición a esta propuesta y los anuncios de los próximos pasos para desafiar esta propuesta y sus patrocinadores como Russell Pearce.

Para los Arizonenses en el Sur: Un camión saldrá de la oficina de Acción Fronteriza en 842 S. 6ta Avenida a las 9:30am al punto. Reserva tu asiento hoy y RSVP aquí!
Se llenara rápido el camión. Regresáramos cerca de 3:30pm y no olvides traer tu lunche.

2. Download, baja este postal del Internet
y pide a tus amigos y familiares que firmen cientos de ellas. Tráelos al evento del Miércoles o déjalos en la oficina de Acción Fronteriza a 842 S. 6ta Avenida, Tucson.

3.  Si no puede imprimir ni firmar las postales, firme nuestra petición para decirle a la Gobernadora Brewer
que rechaze HB2632/SB1070! Añaderemos su nombre e información a una postal y las llevaremos a la oficina de la Gobernadora el miércoles, 10 de marzo.

4. Regístrate para recibir alertas urgentes
el Lunes, Martes y Miércoles para bombardear la legislatura y la gobernadora con llamadas, correos electrónicos y faxes. El Senado ya aprobó SB1070. La Cámara de Representantes les quedan dos votos finales, con HB2632 y los harán rápido en la semana que entra. Hemos escuchado reportes que la gobernadora firmara la propuesta cuando llegue a su escritorio. No permites que lo hagan sin saber de la resistencia y coraje de nuestra comunidad. No dejes que lo hagan sin que escuchen directamente de ti!

5.  Download, baja un flier
 de esta informacion.  Si no tienes acceso a computadora ni a Internet, este documento incluye los nombres y numeros de los legisladores y la gobernadora, para que puedas decirles NO, VOTA NO y RECHAZA HB2632/SB1070!

Visita a www.borderaction.org

para más información

POR FAVOR, REENVIA ESTE EMAIL A TODOS SUS CONTACTOS EN ARIZONA!

Brewer and the State of the Border.

From Border Action Network:

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Border Action Network

Press Statement
For Immediate Release: January 14, 2010

Contact:
Hilary Tone, Communications Coordinator
Work:  520.623.4944
Cell:  520.481.6482

Arizona Governor Brewer Takes the Easy Road in Her State of the State Address

The following is a statement from the Border Action Network’s Executive Director Jennifer Allen in response to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s State of the State Address delivered on Monday, January 11, 2010.

 

Governor Brewer delivered her State of the State Address, in which she proved not only disingenuous about her commitment to resolving Arizona’s economic crisis, but also demonstrated more concern about votes than facts and the dignity of Arizona families and workers. 

The Governor stated: “Doing the right thing almost always means doing the hard thing.” It appears that the Governor has chosen the easy and wrong way out by succumbing to scapegoating immigrant workers and their families and continually fanning fear about our border. 

The Governor labeled the Arizona-Mexico border as out of control, declaring,  “Enough is enough” and pledging her commitment to doing what the U.S. government has failed to do. In reality, the US-Mexico border has never been as heavily surveiled as it is today: 15-foot walls extend for hundreds of miles; 24-hour lighting shines along the border; Apache helicopters hover above; 30-foot camera towers and ground sensors dot the desert landscape; and tens of thousands of Border Patrol agents dominate the border region.  To label it anything other than “controlled” is a simply playing politics with people’s fears and using the border region as pawns to sound tough.

The Governor promised to work with the Legislature to enact measures that will prevent illegal immigration.  Dozens of Arizona legislatures have signed on to Reform Immigration for America, a national campaign bringing together elected officials, business, faith, community and labor groups to ensure a meaningful overhaul of our nation’s failed immigration system. The Governor could demonstrate her commitment to real solutions that will benefit all Arizonans by signing on to the campaign and urging Congress to keep the debate for immigration reform moving forward.

In fact, a recent report by the Immigration Policy Center and Center for American Progress demonstrates that immigration reform would be an economic boon for the nation, equaling $16 trillion in added U.S. gross domestic product over 10 years.  In addition, the Udall Center for Public Policy has repeatedly demonstrated that immigration has been a net economic win for Arizona.

In the interest of her state and of her constituents, Gov. Brewer should make supporting the federal government’s efforts to create safe, legal and orderly paths to enter the U.S. through Arizona a priority.  Repeating hollow sound bytes like “Enough is enough” does not provide or support meaningful, long-term solutions.

Throughout the coming legislative session, Border Action Network will monitor the legislature and the Governor, pushing them to roll up their sleeves, shirk the sound bytes, and support real solutions that can move everyone in Arizona forward, together.

We will push back on anti-immigrant bills and other attempts to undermine the rights and dignity of Arizona families to promote real solutions, including calling for enforcement of wage and hour laws, supporting immigrant integration and naturalization and public safety measures that reach out to immigrant communities.