Arizona Gov. Targets Illegal Immigration
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano proposed a $100-million plan Monday to help Arizona deal with illegal immigration. She also has asked the military to pay for stationing National Guard troops at the state’s border with Mexico.
The governor vowed to punish businesses that continue to break the law by hiring illegal immigrants; to crack down on smugglers and fraudulent documents used by border-crossers; and to provide money for state and local law enforcement.
“We are going to step up and protect our citizens when the federal government fails them -- but this is a federal problem, and we expect the federal government to do its part,” Napolitano told lawmakers on the opening day of the Legislature.
The state already has about 170 National Guard troops stationed at the border, assisting federal and state officers with communications, fence construction and anti-drug efforts.
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