Arizona students come one, come all! It’s time to take up your arms, serve your state proudly and defend your fellow Arizonans against those abominable foreigners! The Arizona Special Missions Unit (if passed in the Arizona legislature) wants you!
I know what you’re thinking - “I’m pursuing my education. I will soon graduate and get the job of my dreams.” While that is great in concept, it simply isn’t true. After all, the Arizona legislature has continually demonstrated that it has no regard for our state’s educational system or the future of the economy. So why not join the Arizona Special Missions Unit instead?
Although Arizonans haven’t heard this battle cry yet, it’s easy to believe they might very soon. After all, just look at the facts.
Two weeks ago, the Senate and Appropriations Committee passed a bill that would fund an armed militia “to patrol the border for undocumented immigrants,” The Huffington Post reported. After completing 40 hours of training, 300 volunteers could serve in the militia.
The bill, which was introduced by Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, still needs to pass the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives. It would then require approval from Gov. Jan Brewer.
The bill intends to protect the citizens of Arizona. Instead, it hurts them and does little to actually address the problem at hand. It is a waste of money.
The last few years have seen significant cuts to education and college students in the state of Arizona have grappled with continued hikes in the cost of tuition. Arizona lawmakers have done little to assist students and the education system. In fact, legislators introduced a bill that would hurt students rather than help them. House Bill 2675 would require all students, besides merit scholars and athletes, to pay at least $2,000 of their tuition.
Why are legislators proposing to fund a militia while students endure the brunt of budget cuts?
Additionally, the militia bill does little to address the actual problem of illegal immigration. Understandably, citizens are worried about immigration, but funding a volunteer militia will do little to fix the problem.
For starters, the militia volunteers would be trained for only 40 hours. A police officer, on the other hand, is required to complete 500 hours of training before he is qualified to serve, The State Press reported. Is 40 hours of training really adequate to “defend our borders?”
Even if the militia was qualified, there is no current need for additional patrol on the border. The Arizona Republic reported that there are 18,152 agents assigned to the Southwest border—more than twice the number of agents in 2000. The Republic also noted that Border Patrol apprehensions have fallen 53 percent since 2008.
Instead of developing an unneeded presence on the border, lawmakers should invest in legislation that actually addresses the problem of illegal immigration. Fix the current, flawed immigration system to allow immigrants to move to the United States legally. Then, grant amnesty to immigrants who have not committed a felony and allow them to contribute to our country.
Arizona students come one, come all! Don’t join a pointless militia that takes away money from our education system and fails to address the real issue at hand. Leave your arms at home. Instead, let your voices be heard. Common sense will prevail.
Reach Emilie at eeeaton@asu.edu.
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