Washington Post:
U.S. to Beef Up Border Force
ICE to Help More in Areas With High Illegal Immigration
By Darryl Fears
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 24, 2005; Page A02
A week after Arizona's governor declared a state of emergency in counties bordering Mexico, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed yesterday that it agreed to strengthen its law enforcement presence in areas that are experiencing high levels of illegal immigration.
In a letter sent Monday to Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D), DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff said Immigration and Customs Enforcement will train local investigators to deal with human trafficking in Phoenix.
The Border Patrol will allow its officers to help local police patrol main highways used by illegal immigrants. DHS also agreed to a state proposal that would allow the state to help ICE transport undocumented immigrants.
DHS spokesman Russ Knocke said the department had placed "a greater priority on border security" well before Napolitano declared a state of emergency....
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During an interview yesterday at The Washington Post, Napolitano said Arizona public safety officials had for months offered to assist DHS in rounding up immigrants who had crossed the border illegally but got no response....
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/23/AR2005082301274.html