U.S. border governors urge Congress to pass immigration reform

By LIZ AUSTIN PETERSON

Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN (AP) -- Accusing Congress of abdicating its responsibility to control immigration and secure the U.S.-Mexico border, the governors of four border states signed a letter on Friday urging federal lawmakers to pass comprehensive immigration reform before the end of the year.

Democrats Janet Napolitano of Arizona and Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Republicans Rick Perry of Texas and Arnold Schwarzenegger of California signed the letter at the close of the two-day Border Governors Conference.

They also joined the governors of six Mexican states in signing a joint declaration on issues ranging from tourism and trade to education and border security. Among other things, they pledged to share information about human, drug and arms trafficking and to work together to prevent agricultural terrorism and ensure high food safety standards.

U.S. House and Senate have yet to begin working out the differences between immigration reform legislation passed earlier this year.