8.27.2005
Border Emergency (WashingtonPost.com)
EDITORIAL
Friday, August 26, 2005; Page A20
THERE ARE, NO DOUBT, elements of politics and showmanship in the recent moves by the governors of New Mexico and Arizona to declare states of emergency along their borders with Mexico. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano are both Democrats up for reelection next year -- Mr. Richardson harbors presidential ambitions as well -- and illegal immigration is a front-burner issue in both states. The declarations free up state funds to be spent on extra patrols, equipment and other needs. But the acts are even more important as a cage-rattling device -- an "act of desperation," as Mr. Richardson called it, to prod Congress and the Bush administration to pay attention to the growing problem.
To the extent that these declarations are a publicity stunt to get Washington moving, we hope they work. Scores of illegal immigrants are dying in the hot desert. Drug smuggling, human trafficking and associated crimes are on the rise. The system is overwhelmed: Even if there were enough border patrol agents to apprehend all the undocumented workers, which there aren't, there wouldn't be enough other staff to process them or, especially in the case of those from countries other than Mexico, enough beds to hold them until they can be sent home. Meanwhile, as the recent controversy over day laborers in Herndon illustrates, the impact of illegal immigration reaches well beyond border states. As Ms. Napolitano predicted at a luncheon with Washington Post reporters and editors this week, "It's a border state issue now, but it's going to be a national issue."
(More ... Border Emergency) ¶ 11:38
Friday, August 26, 2005; Page A20
THERE ARE, NO DOUBT, elements of politics and showmanship in the recent moves by the governors of New Mexico and Arizona to declare states of emergency along their borders with Mexico. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano are both Democrats up for reelection next year -- Mr. Richardson harbors presidential ambitions as well -- and illegal immigration is a front-burner issue in both states. The declarations free up state funds to be spent on extra patrols, equipment and other needs. But the acts are even more important as a cage-rattling device -- an "act of desperation," as Mr. Richardson called it, to prod Congress and the Bush administration to pay attention to the growing problem.
To the extent that these declarations are a publicity stunt to get Washington moving, we hope they work. Scores of illegal immigrants are dying in the hot desert. Drug smuggling, human trafficking and associated crimes are on the rise. The system is overwhelmed: Even if there were enough border patrol agents to apprehend all the undocumented workers, which there aren't, there wouldn't be enough other staff to process them or, especially in the case of those from countries other than Mexico, enough beds to hold them until they can be sent home. Meanwhile, as the recent controversy over day laborers in Herndon illustrates, the impact of illegal immigration reaches well beyond border states. As Ms. Napolitano predicted at a luncheon with Washington Post reporters and editors this week, "It's a border state issue now, but it's going to be a national issue."
(More ... Border Emergency) ¶ 11:38
