The Associated Press
The Associated Press
PHOENIX – Gov. Janet Napolitano criticized a congressional proposal to try to secure the U.S.-Mexico border from illegal immigration and cross-border smuggling by building additional fencing.
She said the money would be better spent on Border Patrol manpower, technology sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The U.S. House on Friday approved legislation to have a two-layer fence built along 700 miles of border in stretches of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
Napolitano, a Democrat, said she doesn’t think the new barrier would work, would be too expensive and would take too long to erect.
“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.”
Mexican officials have called the idea stupid.
Supporters of the House-passed bill contend it is needed to secure the borders and re-establish respect for the law.
The legislation also includes such measures as enlisting military and local law enforcement help in stopping illegal entrants and requiring employers to verify the legal status of their workers.