Napolitano bludgeons border-fence proposal

Gov. Janet Napolitano, D-Ariz.

Despite recent momentum in Washington for the construction of a physical barrier on the Mexican border to prevent illegal aliens from coming into the U.S., some of the strongest opposition is being voiced by the governor of one of the border states.

Gov. Janet Napolitano, D-Ariz., is smashing the idea of a border wall, stating it would be too expensive, take too long to construct, and be ineffective once completed.

"You show me a 50-foot wall and I'll show you a 51-foot ladder at the border. That's the way the border works," Napolitano told the Associated Press.

Instead of a wall, she said funds would be better utilized on beefing up Border Patrol manpower, technology sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles.

A poll released last month showed nearly two-thirds of Americans favoring the construction of a fence along the entire U.S.-Mexico border, with three out of four saying a politician's stance on immigration will influence the way they vote in coming elections.

Some think highway sound barriers like this one at intersection of I-10 and I-12 in Baton Rouge, La., could help stop illegals' entry (courtesy soundfighter.com)

Napolitano's statements come on the heels of last week's action by the U.S. House of Representatives, which voted 239-182 to stem the tide of illegal immigration by taking steps to tighten border controls and stop unlawful immigrants from getting jobs. Among the provisions was construction of a barrier on the border.

"The House of Representatives passed a bill which strengthens our border security and begins to enforce immigration laws throughout the country," Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., said. "Over the last two days, reformers in the House have accomplished much: we have approved a security fence along our southern border, we have taken steps to end 'catch and release' nationwide, we have slashed funds to localities that shield illegal aliens, and we have gone after employers who attract illegal aliens to the U.S."

As WorldNetDaily previously reported, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, is not waiting on the federal government to take action.

He unveiled what he called a comprehensive blueprint for border security, which includes the use of the Texas National Guard for training and for deployment in emergencies.

The governor said the National Guard troops would be used only for emergencies and not for routine patrolling of the 1,200-mile long Texas-Mexico border.

Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas

"This isn't just Texas' problem," Perry said. "This is about a terrorist slipping across the U.S. border with Mexico who has ill will in his heart in Oklahoma, or Pennsylvania, or Washington, D.C."

Perry's plan calls for state money to hire additional police officers in border counties, and deployment of four 50-member teams of state troopers who can quickly move to an area where border violence or an upsurge in illegal immigration is reported.

He also called for the construction of "border jails," saying the U.S. Border Patrol apprehends tens of thousands of illegals and suspicious persons each year that it releases on their "promise to appear in court" simply because there is no place in the sparsely populated border region to hold them.

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Previous stories:

Poll: Most Americans favor border fence

Tancredo wins round 1 to build Mexico fence

Highway sound barriers as border fences?

Is border fence needed to protect U.S. security?

Chertoff: Not 'practical' to deport illegal aliens