Governors want immigration changes

Main articles page

by Robert Tanner

A growing number of governors, from along the border and be­ beyond, are sharpening their complaints about the flood of immigrants into their states and are pushing the White House and Congress for ac­tion.  Republicans and Democrats alike said yesterday that they planned to bring their con­cerns to President Bush and his Cabinet in Private meetings this week, bringing a front-line security worry other than the latest Capitol obsessions on ports and eavesdropping.

"'This is a national issue," said Democrat Janet Napoli­tano of Arizona, where 500,000 people attempting to cross the bonder iIIegaIIy were turned back last year - and an untold number got through. National­ly, there are an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants draining government resources. "Were absorbing through taxpayer doIIars the incarceration costs, health care costs, education costs," Napolitano said.

Immigration was one con­tentious issue among many of the more than 40 top state leaders who gathered for the meeting of the National Gover­nors Association. Governors also hope to get attention on the National Guard, where they fear cuts, and on Medicaid and welfare.

Bush, a. former Texas gov­ernor, hosted the governors at a formal White House dinner last night. He welcomed them and said: "I like being around governors ... Governors are results-oriented people. We look forward to working with you to help shape the future of the country."

Governors from states as far from the U.S.-Mexico border as Utah, Missouri, Tennessee, and Vermont said illegal immi­grants are costing states and spurring state legislation. All agree the answer lies in Wash­ington and hope to provide a push as Congress weighs several competing bills.