Border Patrol Should Be Implemented ASAP, Say Border State Governors

By Justine Rellosa- Talk Radio News Service

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (D) and Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) agreed Monday that border security should play a key role in immigration reform.

"You've got to have more border security," said Richardson during a Summit on free enterprise and job creation hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. "You need more equipment, more technology, border patrol."

Richardson added that the federal government should ultimately foot the bill for these costs.

"We added National Guard in New Mexico, but this is a federal responsibility and they have to pay for it."

During his remarks, Perry explained that border security should be the first goal of immigration reform.

"You cannot have a legitimate, intellectual conversation about immigration policy until you secure the border," Perry said.

Added the Texas Governor, "[Border security] will "singularly take care of a host of problems."

Palin Endorses Candidate Who Views Arizona Law As A “Wonderful First Step”

On Thursday, former Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin endorsed State Representative Tom Emmer in the Republican primary for Minnesota’s Gubernatorial race. Taking to her Facebook page, Palin described the candidate as a “patriotic fiscally conservative ‘hockey dad.’” He also happens to be an individual who believes Arizona’s controversial new immigration law is a “wonderful first step.”

Emmer’s description of the law, which grants Arizona police officers the authority to ask those suspected of being in the country illegally for proof of citizenship, was made during a debate Wednesday with another Republican hopeful on the Minnesota Public Radio program Midday with Gary Eichten.

“What Arizona did was a wonderful first step. I'm disappointed at the federal government that's taking issue with the state of Arizona,” said Emmer.

Emmer also noted “I don't know that it's targeting illegal immigrants. It's enforcing the law.”

Palin herself has been vocal on the Arizona law. On Tuesday’s episode of Hannity on Fox News, the one-time Alaska Governor brushed away fears that the law could lead to racial profiling.

"I think it's shameful too that the Obama administration has allowed this to become more of a racial issue by perpetuating this myth that racial profiling is a part of this law."

The Arizona law has received bipartisan criticism. President Barack Obama has argued that the law threatens the trust between police and communities. George W. Bush’s advisor Karl Rove said the law may have “constitutional problems.” Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has expressed reservations with the law as well.

Boehner Blasts Push For Immigration Reform As 'A Cynical Ploy'

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

House Minority Leader John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) accused Democrats of engaging in a 'cynical ploy' to shore up support in an election year through their calls for comprehensive immigration reform.

“It is nothing but a cynical ploy to try and engage some segment of voters to show up in this November’s elections," Boehner said during a press conference Thursday.

According to the Ohio Republican, the timeline sought by Democrats to pass reform by the end of the year will be impossible to meet.

“There is not a chance that immigration is going to move through Congress. I have been around here for a little while, and know that in the middle of an election year ... you can not do a serious piece of legislation of this size [and] difficulty in this environment."

Noted Boehner, "Even the President admitted it was impossible."

The Minority Leader also commented on Arizona's controversial new immigration law, which has put immigration reform on the front burner.

"[The] people of Arizona have a right to pass their laws under the 10th amendment," said Boehner.

Texas Republican Calls On Obama To Send National Guard To The U.S.-Mexico Border

By Sofia Sanchez University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) outlined Wednesday the details of a letter recently sent to President Barack Obama calling for the deployment of National Guard Troops along the U.S.-Mexico border to assist both local law enforcement and border patrol agents.

“Our local border patrol agents and local Sheriffs on the border are out manned, out-gunned and out-financed by the drug cartels who wish to come into the United States,” Poe said during a morning press conference.

According to Poe, the letter was prompted by the murder of Arizona rancher Robert Krentz, which was believed to have been carried out by illegal immigrants. The murder was also a key factor in the rise of Arizona's controversial new immigration law, which allows law enforcement official to ask individuals suspected of immigrating illegally for proof of citizenship.

The request for the National Guard's presence at the border was first proposed by governors of many southwestern states.

Poe added that attacks on the border patrol in the Tucson sector have increased by 200 percent in the first two months of this year and that the jails in southern Texas are packed with immigrants.

“37 percent of [prisoners] in southern Texas are foreign nationals both in the United States legally and illegally... they are not charged with immigration violations, they are charged with crimes,” said Poe.

Poe claimed that this issue is not an immigration issue, but a border safety issue.

“This country protects the borders of other nations better then it protects our own border,” said Poe.

Republicans Obstructing Much Needed Wall Street Reform, Says Senate Democrat

By Sofia Sanchez
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) criticized Republicans on Tuesday for categorically blocking a financial regulatory reform bill making its way through the Senate. Udall countered what he referred to as talking points by GOP leadership, including a claim made by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who equated the bill to a giant bailout fund for Wall Street.

“He is taking his talking points from a memo that was taken by a Republican pollster...Nothing that Mitch McConnell has said has been accurate about this. [The bill] holds Wall Street accountable, it ends tax payer bailouts and guarantees that tax payers will never again be forced to bail out these reckless Wall Street firms,” said Udall. "I, once again, don’t understand why Republicans aren’t willing to engage in a fair legislative discussion and debate."

Udall touted a provision within the bill that would create an independent agency with authority to monitor firms for abusive practices, and provide consumers with information in clear English so consumers can shop better for mortgages and credit cards.

Being a representative from a border state, Udall was asked to assess an anti-illegal immigration bill that was signed into law last week in Arizona by its Governor, Jan Brewer. However, rather than echoing the sentiments of certain Democratic leaders in the Senate, including Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Udall offered only a one-line response.

"Comprehensive immigration reform should be done this year and I hope they [Congress] stick to that."