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February 18, 2005
AZ wants to build a state prison in Mexico
Border Action Network informs us that this lovely idea is alive again in Arizona....
As this article notes below, a proposal was floating around the Arizona legislature in 2003 to build an AZ state prison in Mexico that would house Mexican-nationals. Even more insidious was a proposed partnership with the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce to have inmates doing work for maquilas and receiving job training for maquila-work while in the prison. As if the incentive to exploit immigrant workers within the U.S. isn't enough already, this type of proposal takes immigrant worker exploitation to another level! -Border Action
Thursday, February 17, 2005
State wants prison in Mexico
Lawmakers are discussing the possibility of building one to house illegal immigrants.
The Associated Press
PHOENIX - Some lawmakers want to explore the possibility of the state contracting to have a private prison built in Mexico to house illegal immigrants now incarcerated in Arizona. The idea was promoted as a way to reduce the state's heavy costs in imprisoning the 3,600 to 4,000 illegal immigrants, who have been convicted of crimes. Opponents questioned whether the state has the legal authority to move the foreign prisoners to Mexico.
A bill (HB2709) under which the state would seek proposals for such a prison moved forward yesterday, approved 4-2 by a House committee.
The bill is one of many moving through the Legislature that seeks to confront problems caused by illegal immigration.
More than any other state in recent years, Arizona has been dogged by a heavy flow of illegal immigrants after the government tightened enforcement in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego during the mid-1990s.
Several Arizona lawmakers have said the federal government hasn't done enough to confront illegal immigration and therefore has dumped massive costs on the state.
Gov. Janet Napolitano has recently billed the federal government for nearly $118 million in unreimbursed costs for imprisoning illegal immigrants.
The Mexico prison idea was proposed in the 1990s but shelved, partly due to legal concerns. It was revived in 2003 to help cover budget shortfalls but was rejected by a key legislative committee.
"We really lose nothing but we set the table with what is a reasonable proposal," said Republican Rep. Russ Jones of San Luis, sponsor of the bill.
Democratic Rep. Ted Downing of Tucson, an opponent of the proposal, said the bill raises questions about jurisdiction, such as which government would have the ability to seek prisoners if they escape.
Republican Rep. John McCommish of Phoenix, who also voted against the bill, questioned whether the state could fulfill its responsibility to oversee a prison if it was in another country.
"This is a creative idea and worthy of exploration," said Republican Rep. Bill Konopnicki of Safford.
Still, Konopnicki said, he's not sure the idea would prevail if it were considered by the full House.
Border Action Network/Accion Fronteriza
P.O. Box 384
Tucson, AZ 85702
Tel 520.623.4944
Fax 520.792.2097
www.borderaction.org
Posted by lois at February 18, 2005 05:53 PM