Political Quotes

“tonight I would like to take a few minutes for folks here in Washington to focus on southern Arizona. There, along 114 miles of border in my district, Federal, State, county, and local law enforcement are on the front lines defending our border. Arizona faces unimaginable immigration and border security challenges. Last year, over 387,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended in Arizona, and an average of 1,000 illegal immigrants per day were arrested and deported from Tucson. The Tucson sector, which includes my district, is the most porous section along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border. More than 48 percent of the Nation's drug traffic enters our country through southern Arizona. This Monday, the President released his fiscal year 2009 budget proposal, and once again his budget failed to include any funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, also known as SCAAP. The President refuses to recognize the importance of SCAAP funds. Without this funding, States and localities will be financially overwhelmed by costs that are the Federal Government's sole responsibility. Securing our Nation's borders is this government's priority, in my opinion. However, communities through southern Arizona and the Nation face extraordinary costs that are unfortunately being carried by them for incarcerating undocumented immigrants. Because of limited Federal contributions, the bulk of these costs are being borne by some very small counties.”