Contention over border security flared this afternoon as Arizona filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government for inadequate border enforcement. Hours later, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano personally invited top bipartisan Congressional members to tour the Mexican border with her this spring to observe the situation for themselves.
The counter-suit Arizona filed today in federal court responds to last year's federal lawsuit blocking key components of Arizona's tough SB 1070 legislation against undocumented immigrants.
"Because the federal government has failed to protect the citizens ... of Arizona, I am left with no other choice," Gov. Jan Brewer told a Phoenix news conference. Meanwhile, several boisterous protesters shouted their displeasure.
"We did not start this fight. But, now that we are in it, Arizona will not rest until our border is secured and federal immigration laws are enforced," she added, according to a Reuters account.
In Washington, a Justice Department spokesman had no comment on the Arizona suit.
However, Napolitano boasted of federal efforts over the past two years on the border in her letter inviting key Republicans and Democrats to join her there this spring. She specifically touted the augmentation of Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and the deployment of National Guard troops.
"These efforts have paid significant dividends," Napolitano wrote in two identical letters, obtained by the political blog POLITICO, that were addressed to House and Senate leaders.
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