2008 NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION TRIP PRIORITIES
Temporary Extension Key To Ensuring Nation's Border Remains Strong
"I strongly urge you to extend Operation Jump Start with
full federal funding until the mission is complete, so that our shared goal of
a strong and secure border can be realized." - Governor Schwarzenegger, Letter, 2/1/08
Today
Governor Schwarzenegger will be in Washington D.C. for the annual National
Governors Association Winter Meeting. As part of his trip, the Governor will be
meeting with White House and key administration officials to push for action on
important federal priorities for California. Among these priorities is the
temporary extension of Operation Jump Start, a successful partnership between
the U.S. Border Patrol and the California National Guard. The Governor will
call for full federal funding until the mission-the hiring and training of new
Border Patrol agents-is complete, so the shared goal of a strong and secure
border can be realized.
During
this trip, the Governor will also facilitate meetings between U.S and Mexican
border governors and the U.S. Secretaries of the Departments of Treasury,
Homeland Security, Commerce and Interior. At these meetings, officials will
discuss their shared commitment to addressing border security, money
laundering, economic development, regional water management and disaster
preparedness and response.
The Governor is
calling on the federal government to extend Operation Jump Start. The partnership between the U.S.
Border Patrol and the California National Guard has successfully lowered the
number of illegal border crossings and limiting human and drug trafficking. In
light of these successes, we cannot afford to jeopardize the security of our
fellow Americans by removing personnel prematurely.
- Operation
Jump Start is scheduled to end in July 2008, but the operational objective
is only half complete. Fewer than 3,000 of 6,000 new Border Patrol agents have been
added to the force and until more agents are hired and trained by the
federal government, it is premature to abandon Operation Jump Start.
- Earlier this month, the Governor sent a letter urging President Bush to continue Operation Jump Start until the mission is complete.
- In June 2006, the Governor issued General Order 2006-01 directing the California National Guard to temporarily support federal efforts to secure the US-Mexico border.
- Governor Schwarzenegger has a long record of calling for the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
The Governor is also committed to strengthening California's relationship and collaboration with Mexico. To continue to combat human and drug trafficking, protect our environment, boost economic development and improve disaster preparedness and response, the Governor is also making it a priority to bring together officials from both sides of the border.
- Today, the Governor will facilitate meetings between border governors and the U.S. Secretaries of the Departments of Treasury, Homeland Security and Commerce to discuss issues affecting the U.S./Mexico border. On Sunday, the Governor facilitated another meeting with border governors and the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Interior and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner.
- This August, the Governor will chair the 26th Border Governors Conference in Los Angeles.
- Earlier this month, the Governor met with Mexico President Felipe Calderón to further strengthen California's cross-border partnership and collaboration with Mexico.
- At the 25th Border Governors Conference in September 2007 in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, the Governor and nine other United States and Mexico border governors signed a joint declaration to continue fostering cooperation between the member states.
- In November 2006, the Governor led more than 60 members of the agriculture, tourism and business communities on a trade mission to Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico.
