Border securityLegislator proposes volunteer-based Arizona border force

Published 30 November 2010

An Arizona legislator is set to introduce a bill to create a new state volunteer force that could be used help patrol the U.S.-Mexico border; the bill would establish a new homeland security force of volunteers who could be called to duty during civil disasters and for border security; the border security role could kick in if the federal government withdraws National Guard soldiers now assisting in border security

In another indication that illegal immigration remains a concern for Arizona lawmakers, a legislator said Monday he plans to revive once-vetoed legislation to create a new state volunteer force that could be used help patrol the U.S.-Mexico border.

Republican Senator Jack Harper of Sun City West said the legislation he plans to pre-file in December for consideration during the 2011 regular session will be similar to a 2007 bill vetoed by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano.

Harper said his bill would establish a new homeland security force of volunteers who could be called to duty during civil disasters and for border security. The border security role could kick in if the federal government withdraws National Guard soldiers now assisting in border security, he said.

AZCentral reports that Harper’s planned bill is the second immigration-related legislation to surface in advance of the 2011 session. Other legislators said previously they plan legislation to deny birthright citizenship to children of illegal immigrants.

The 2011 bills would follow enactment earlier this year of SB1070, a controversial law on using local law enforcement to crack down on illegal immigration. Also, the state in 2006 passed a law penalizing employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Both of those laws face ongoing court challenges, and a judge blocked implementation of provisions of SB1070.

DHS secretary Janet Napolitano, who as Arizona governor vetoed Harper’s 2007 bill and signed the 2006 employer-sanctions measure, said last month that heightened enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border has slowed illegal immigration. She cited steps that include adding to the ranks of Border Patrol agents and deploying 1,200 National Guard troops to border states for about a year, including 532 in Arizona.

I do believe they are working hard at it,” Harper said Monday of the federal effort.

The National Guard deployment, however, should not be drawn down as planned later this year and Arizona still needs to do more to reduce education, health care and law enforcement costs stemming from illegal immigration, Harper said. “We simply need to stop the wave of illegal aliens at the border.”

The force would be deployed in conjunction with the National Guard, which would provide logistics and act as a quick reaction force, Harper said.

No volunteers would be enforcing the border. They would merely observe and report, and the National Guard would handle any armed incursion of our border,” Harper said.

The volunteer force would be trained by the National Guard, Implementation details will be worked out by the adjutant general with input from the new committee, Harper said.

Governor Jan Brewer, who is the National Guard’s commander in chief, said Monday that Harper had not approach her about his idea. She didn’t state a firm position on the proposal but voiced reservations about possible costs to the state and said border security is a federal responsibility.

A House Democratic leader, Representative Steve Farley of Tucson, said the proposed force is misguided and that the focus on border security should be law enforcement aimed at smugglers.

We need trained professionals. That doesn’t mean everybody and their uncle who wants to go out there with guns,” Farley said. “The problem is not going to be solved by putting a whole bunch of amateurs out there.”

The Arizona Capitol Times previously reported Harper’s plan to revive the legislation.

Harper, a four-term senator, was elected to the state House in November. He takes his new office in January.