U.S. TO AID BORDER FIGHT

Homeland Security Heeds Governor's Plea To Help Combat Smuggling

Just days after being criticized by Gov. Janet Napolitano for their
resistance, federal authorities on Monday promised to help Arizona's fight
against human trafficking and other problems caused by the influx of
undocumented immigrants.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Monday sent Napolitano a letter
outlining a multipronged plan to crack down on human smuggling, ease
overcrowding in Arizona prisons and beef up immigration training given to
Highway Patrol officers.

"We are moving forward quickly and aggressively to fashion a comprehensive
plan with real solutions," Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff
wrote. "We . . . intend to build a partnership with Arizona."

After years of mistrust and miscommunication, the letter could mark a new
era of cooperation between Arizona and federal authorities.

Last week, Napolitano sent a scathing letter to Chertoff complaining
aggressively about a lack of government cooperation on crucial border
issues. On Monday night, she praised their efforts.

"I think this is very promising," Napolitano said from Washington, D.C.
"We're finally seeing some movement. I look forward to speaking with
Secretary Chertoff. It's finally nice to get something in writing."

In his two-page letter, Chertoff reminded Napolitano that Arizona was the
first state he visited when he took his job earlier this year. He also said
that federal authorities intend to enhance coordination with the state and
have an increased presence in Arizona. He pledged to target the violent
human smuggling trade, "especially within the area of Phoenix." Although
the federal plans still have to be fleshed out, some of the details include:

* Arizona-based officials of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or
ICE, would team four Arizona Department of Public Safety officers with
federal agents to crack down on human trafficking and smuggling of drugs in
the Phoenix area.

* Homeland Security officials said they will start periodic patrols of the
Phoenix bus station.

* The letter says that the Border Patrol wants to work with the DPS on a
variety of immigration efforts in the Casa Grande and Gila Bend areas.

* The federal government also offered to help deport foreign nationals that
are currently housed in Arizona prisons. Those details will have to be
ironed out.

* The Border Patrol would like the DPS to have a full-time person in ICE's
Phoenix office and the Border Patrol office in Tucson.

Napolitano never heard back from Justice Department officials after telling
them in February that they owe Arizona $217 million for incarcerating
undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. The latest move could signal
that border security is becoming such a massive problem in Arizona that
it's pushing beyond partisan politics.

Once considered the bailiwick of the federal government, the letters
between Napolitano and Chertoff are the latest reminder of how illegal
immigration is a critical concern of frustrated taxpayers. There is no
question that illegal immigration has emerged as the dominant issue in
Arizona politics and will probably help frame Napolitano's re-election bid
in 2006.

Chertoff invited all 50 state Homeland Security directors back to
Washington to talk about a reorganization plan for department. Napolitano
is in the nation's capital today, but she doesn't have any plans to meet
with Chertoff.

Originally, Napolitano had hoped to assign 12 Highway Patrol officers to
team up with federal agents to crack down on the smuggling of drugs and
undocumented workers in the Phoenix area. But ICE declined the offer. She
is now changing her strategy to attack state crimes involving drugs and
stolen cars that fuel illegal immigration. She will shift the 12 officers
to an auto-theft task force.

Napolitano also has started a campaign to curb the widespread use of fake
identification. Since her election in 2003, the rift between the Democrat
governor and the federal government has continued to widen as both sides
struggle to stem the growing tide of illegal immigration. The majority of
the 1.1 million arrests of undocumented immigrant along the Southwestern
border last year were reported in Arizona, which shares 389 miles of border
with Mexico.

""I have to say this (help) is encouraging," Napolitano said.