Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Monique Cala
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that the Department of Justice has three months to review whether or not a controversial anti-immigration bill signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer last week violates parts of the U.S. Constitution.

“It actually does not take effect until 90 days after the close of Arizona Legislation session. So, it is not, in fact, in effect in Arizona,” said Napolitano, a former Governor of that state.

From DHS's stand point, Napolitano said, there are concerns over the law because it will “detract from and siphon resources that we need to focus on those in the country illegally, those who are committing the most serious crimes in addition to violating our nation's immigration laws.”

Napolitano said she was pleased with Congress's actions regarding bolstering the budget of the U.S. Border Patrol, which she said is “better staffed than at any time in its 85-year history, having doubled the number of agents from around 10,000 in 2004 to 20,000 in 2009.”

“We have quintupled the number of liaison officers assigned to the Southwest boarder,” said Napolitano. “We have deployed more proven and effective technology there than ever before.”

In a statement released prior to her testimony, Napolitano emphasized the partnership between Mexico and the U.S on curbing illegal immigration.

“Continually enhancing border security is not only critical for border communities, but is a necessary part of any comprehensive attempt to fix our nation’s broken immigration system to make it work for the 21st Century -- a high priority for this administration.”