Donations pour in for border protection
Arizona’s effort to secure the state’s border with Mexico has generated enough cash donations to require the establishment of a special fund.
State Treasurer Dean Martin and State Representative Doris Goodale (R-Dist. 3) have set up the Border Fence Support Fund aimed at helping the state and its border protection efforts.
Martin spokeswoman Kimberly Yee said letters containing checks as well as e-mails requesting information about how to donate have been pouring into state offices since the immigration controversy began. While officials still are tallying the total, it’s estimated that at least several hundred dollars will be deposited into the account immediately, she said.
The fund was created through two state laws, A.R.S. 41-1105 and A.R.S. 35-149, and will serve as a depositing account for contributions written to the state of Arizona to help finance capital costs associated with building a secure fence along the border between Arizona and Mexico.
“We have waited long enough for the federal government to build viable protection along our border. If the government won’t secure our border, we will. This fund will be used to create security barriers and provide grants to local law enforcement that bear the brunt of the government’s open border policy,” said Martin.
Yee also said the account helps to ensure a trusted outlet for contributions. Officials believe that the establishment of this type of fund is a nationwide first.
Donations may be made directly to: http://www.aztreasurer.gov/borderFenceSupportFund.html.