Despite the fact that local initiatives on immigration continue to be successfully challenged in the courts, and that other localities in Arizona, such as Chandler, generated many controveries and lawsuits in the 1990s with similar measures, Mesa, Arizona is planning initiative to clamp down on crimes and criminals associated with illegal immigration. Mesa officials plan to use technology and collaborate with federal agencies, including putting federal agents on the streets. The effort is also part of a push to reduce crime, regardless of citizenship. The effort comes after a year wrought with protests from immigration rights groups and actions by opponents and conflict between Gov. Janet Napolitano, who wanted the federal government to secure the border, and Republicans, who criticized her vetoes of immigration measures. A plan has been outlined in which possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars would be spent on new equipment, including: portable digital fingerprint scanners; license plate-reading cameras that scan randomly from patrol cars or fixed locations; and remote cameras in downtown areas. The city is also considering red-curb zones, where vehicles can’t stop or linger, to discourage employers from negotiating with day laborers, some of whom may be undocumented immigrants, lingering for hours on city streets.
Click here for the Arizona Republic story on Mesa’s plan.
KJ