Border governors call for US immigration reform

U.S. and Mexican border governors called Monday for reform of U.S. immigration policies, but New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said it’s unrealistic to expect Congress to act on the hot-button political issue before the November general election.

The border governors meeting was held in New Mexico after Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer canceled the event in Phoenix because of a planned boycott by Mexican governors over Arizona’s new immigration law. Richardson was the only U.S. governor to participate along with the governors of six Mexican states. California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado filled in for ailing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The governors of Texas and Arizona did not attend.

A joint statement by the governors said they “recognize the need for comprehensive immigration reform” in the United States and for a deportation process “based on the fundamental premise of respecting the human dignity and human rights of individuals being repatriated.”

For the full AP report, click here.

KJ