Schwarzenegger Urged to Declare Emergency

By Associated Press
August 19, 2005, 12:51 PM EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The state Assembly leader called on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to make California the third state to declare an emergency along its border with Mexico.

New Mexico drew national attention last week when its governor declared a state of emergency, citing lawlessness, drug smuggling and human trafficking along the border. The governor of Arizona did the same this week.

Democratic Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez said Thursday that California needs to pressure the federal government to stop drug running and illegal immigration.

"The timing is good," he said. "The governors of Arizona and New Mexico have done this, and there's an opportunity for three states to have a joint effort in lobbying the federal government."

Schwarzenegger has said he supports the actions of his fellow governors but does not think there is a crisis along California's border.

Schwarzenegger supports the construction of a fence along California's border with Mexico and recently praised the Minuteman Project, which has conducted civilian patrols of the border.

Spokeswoman Margita Thompson said Schwarzenegger is lobbying for more federal money and has asked for more border patrol agents.

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