Securing our borders extends way beyond the fences. The lack of security has contributed, at least in part, to many other issues facing all of us today. The consequences, whether intended or unintended, includes violent crimes, drug trafficking, human smuggling, longer emergency room wait times, higher Medicaid expenditures and education costs. The added burden of caring for and / or incarcerating illegal aliens has caused our state resources to be exhausted.

Arizonans cannot and should not be responsible for those from other countries. This is not racist. This is reality. We have allowed ourselves to get to the point that we can’t even take care of our own citizens.

We must be honest with ourselves. The Federal Government is not willing to secure the border. Enacting more laws or reforming the ones already in place will accomplish nothing because of their unwillingness to enforce them. Decades have past and the problem has been allowed to worsen. Arizona must take on the responsibility ourselves.

This can be accomplished using several methods.

1.       An Internet based video surveillance system - Initially installed at the most porous areas and eventually covering the entire Arizona border. When border crossers have been spotted by the cameras, the Border Patrol can focus their attention on those specific locations. This allows a better use of their limited resources instead of wasting manpower patrolling areas not breached. The Border Patrol agents will do their job. The real time video feeds from the cameras on the internet, allows everyone to view its effectiveness. The initial expense would be less than 3 million dollars. That’s millions, not billions.

2.       Enforcing existing state law regarding employer’s use of illegal workers. The penalties for violating the law are firm enough; they just require more enforcement statewide.

3.       Continue to demand of the Federal Government to complete the fence. In reality, it needs to be a double fence. A single fence is the absolute minimum. Demanding this from the Federal Government might be a futile effort, but we must continue to make the effort.

4.   The initial funding for the video surveillance could possibly come from the AHCCCS (Medicaid, health care) budget.  Budget requirements should be reduced within AHCCCS due to lower healthcare costs from illegal aliens. Those resources should be shifted exclusively into the Sheriff Departments statewide. They will ultimately be responsible for enforcement of illegal worker laws as well as temporary holding and transportation of illegal aliens.


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