ARIZ., N.M., DECLARE EMERGENCIES

The governors of Arizona and New Mexico have declared states of emergency
along their southern borders, arguing that the federal government hasn't
done enough to combat drug trafficking, vandalism and other crimes
associated with illegal immigration from Mexico.

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano took action Monday, funneling $1.5 million in
state money to four border counties.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson acted last Friday after an aerial border
tour, pledging $1.75 million in emergency state funding, also to four counties.

The governors, both Democrats, say the money will be used to add police to
border areas, pay overtime and purchase crime-deterring equipment. They say
the federal government should secure the border and help pay state and
local costs incurred from illegal immigration.

On Thursday, California's state Assembly leader, Fabian Nuez, called on
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to follow their lead.

"I'm not going to tolerate violent criminal activity," explains Richardson,
who says he didn't see any Border Patrol agents during his helicopter tour.
"That's what this undocumented criminal crisis is breeding: illegal drug
smuggling, kidnapping, trafficking of people and narcotics."

The violence, fueled by warring drug cartels, prompted the State Department
earlier this year to warn American citizens considering border visits.

Republican critics charge that the governors' declarations are politically
motivated. Bill Christiansen, executive director of the Arizona Republican
Party, says problems have been festering on the border for years. "Why did
it take (Napolitano) so long to get to the point she's at?" he asks.

Roxanne Rivera, spokeswoman for the Republican Party of New Mexico, says
Richardson is trying to gain votes.

"He is being absolutely disingenuous with the citizens of my state," Rivera
says. In declaring an emergency, she says, Richardson "has finally come
around to what Republicans in New Mexico have been saying for a long time."

Richardson brushes aside the accusations. "This is just being a governor,
protecting my border and constituents," he says.

Earl Black, a political scientist at Rice University in Houston, says the
declarations show that concern over illegal immigration "cuts across party
lines."

"The problem has reached the point where those governors are getting enough
reaction from presumably their supporters as well as their political
opponents," Black says.