On April 28, 2011, new state legislation was signed by Arizona state's Republican governor Jan Brewer. SB 1451 is a new bill allowing for the establishment of a civilian militia - to be called the Arizona State Guard - under the command of the governor. The militia will be used to "respond to an emergency situation" and to support the National Guard.
The other bill, SB 1406, allows for private donations and the use of prison labor to construct a bigger fence at the U.S./Mexico border. The legislation does not cap the cost of the project. According to The New American, the wall is currently 646 miles across, which is about 30% of the total border area.
Both bills will come into effect within 90 days, and are said to be a state effort to stem the flow of migrants across the border.
This is not the first immigration-related legislation signed by the governor. One year ago, in April 2010, Brewer signed the controversial state law SB 1070, which made it a misdemeanor to lack proper immigration paperwork, and which required that police officers determine 'suspicious' persons' immigration status. Proponents of SB 1070 claimed that the bill empowered law enforcement to do their job. Critics said the bill supported racial profiling and institutional racism.
