Janet Napolitano on Immigration

Democratic AZ Governor; Designee for Secretary of Homeland Security

You build a 50-foot wall, somebody will find a 51-ft ladder

Napolitano resisted initial efforts on a state crackdown on illegal immigration, instead taking the position that immigration and border security are federal responsibilities.

Napolitano has fought to curb illegal immigration, but has been skeptical that building a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border will solve the problem. She once said: “You build a 50-foot wall, somebody will find a 51-foot ladder.”

Source: Eileen Sullivan on Associated Press Nov 20, 2008

Crackdown on employers who hire illegal workers, not workers

Napolitano is outspoken about “the Federal government’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities in securing our border & providing for a functional immigration policy.”

The governor opted to: crackdown on employers who hire undocumented workers; catch forgers of ID documents; push for more National Guards and Homeland Security measures to deter border crossings.

Conservatives deride Napolitano’s refusal to support legislation targeting illegal immigrants already in the US working for US employers.

Source: Gubernatorial biography on usliberals.about.com Nov 20, 2008

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Page last updated: Dec 04, 2008