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Mesa lawmaker calls for border fence

PHOENIX - A state lawmaker believes Arizonans are so frustrated with illegal immigration that they're willing to raise fees - and possibly tax themselves - to build a fence along the state's southern border. Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, is drafting a measure to ask voters next year to spend the money to erect a climb-proof fence wherever possible from Yuma to east of Douglas. Pearce acknowledged Tuesday that he doesn't know the price tag. A similar fence erected by federal officials near San Diego cost about $1.7 million a mile; the Arizona border stretches for about 350 miles. But Pearce said he believes stemming the flow of people crossing the border illegally will end up saving Arizonans far more than what the state spends for health care, education and prison costs on illegal entrants. He also thinks money can be raised by taxing transfers of money by people to their families in other countries. Arizona can't legally build a fence right on the border, which is federal land. But Pearce said it could erect it along the southern property lines of individual landowners. The idea has some support from those who live with the problem of border crossers, like Jack Ladd, whose Cochise County ranch includes about 10 1/2 miles along the border. "I'm in favor of something that would help,'' said Ladd. He said the state would have permission to use the line along his ranch, which includes both deeded land and property he leases from the state. Bud Strom, whose ranch comes within a quarter-mile of the border, also likes the idea. And Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manuel Ruiz said that while the current border fence, which stretches along parts of his county, has not been effective, "I'm sure these residents wouldn't mind having a big enough fence." But Yuma County Supervisor Tony Reyes called the idea "stupid.'' Even assuming some landowners would allow a fence to be erected, Reyes said all that will do is move illegal crossing to another location in the same way it did in response to fences and increased patrols in California and Texas, as well as along a few spots on the Arizona border. Reyes noted a large stretch of that desert, including a bombing range and a wildlife refuge, is owned by the federal government, which may not want the state to build a fence. The Tohono O'odham Nation, however, may be more receptive. Tribal Chairwoman Vivian Juan-Saunders said the tribe has felt the effects of illegal border crossing, and two tribal districts have already approved vehicle barriers along the border. The idea got a chilly reception from Cochise County Supervisor Paul Newman, whose district includes a large stretch of border land, including Ladd's property. He said it would be a waste of state money, as federal officials have plans to build their own fence. Anyway, Newman said a fence will "resolve nothing,'' saying the real solution is a good guest-worker program.