August 26, 2005

Daniel Novick-KFOX News at Nine Reporter

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Chihuahua Governor Jose Reyes Baeza met Friday for the first time since Richardson declared a state of emergency on the border.

The main topic was illegal immigration and drug smuggling, focusing on the town of Las Chepas, while the concern from both governors was a lack of federal government support.

The two governors agreed on many issues, especially when it comes to the federal government.

Governor Bill Richardson: "We have agreed on many points, the first being that our federal governments need to do more on immigration and the illegal smuggling of drugs."

One goal of the meetings was to find a way for law enforcement in both states to work together on border security.

Governor Bill Richardson: "Our federal government and our state government are announcing joint operations working with the border patrol and sheriffs and customs."

Las Chepas, a staging ground for many illegal immigrants, was a major concern, and Governor Baeza said he will work to solve the problems that town faces.

Governor Jose Reyes Baeza: "We will close and in some cases demolish some abandoned structures that pose a threat and danger to the immediate communities."

But Baeza also mentioned that the town will stay, as he says the people of Las Chepas are not the problem.

Governor Jose Reyes Baeza: "It's not the immediate population. It's the hundreds of immigrants from different parts of our country and other countries in South America that come to these parts to cross into the United States."

Governor Bill Richardson: "Las Chepas is a staging area for drug smuggling, and human smuggling, and I'm pleased the Governor is going to address that problem."

The state of emergency involving border security was not a point of tension between the two governors.

Governor Bill Richardson: "He and I talked immediately, the next day, we have a very good relationship I think he understands what I did, I explained why I did it, we are announcing cooperation here today."