Security Plan Worries Officials In Border Town

COLUMBUS, N.M. (AP) – President’s Bush plan to bolster enforcement of immigration laws has been met with a weary sigh by the new police chief of Columbus.

Paul Armijo says more arrests from a crackdown on illegal immigrants would mean more work for his four-member police force. He says the officers already pull more than 50 hours of duty each week. Armijo hasn’t had a day off in nearly two months.

Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff says the federal government is trying to find extra money to help local police departments. But unless that money is guaranteed to keep coming, Armijo says he’ll be unable to hire new officers and outfit them with the necessary equipment.

And town trustee Roberto Gutierrez says he fears the town’s economy will dry up if proceeds from drug and human smuggling are spent elsewhere.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-05-22-06 1307EDT