Boozman speaks in support of immigration enforcement

— In a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives last week, U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., repeated his support for 287(g), the immigration-enforcement program used in northwest Arkansas.

He signed on to a letter to President Barack Obama, asking that funding for 287(g) be continued, Boozman said.

The following is from Boozman’s speech:

“Thanks to these law-enforcement personnel, more than 1,500 illegal aliens have been arrested and have or are in the process of (being deported) in northwest Arkansas.

“(The) 287(g) (program) has a proven track record of success nationwide. According to Immigration Customs and Enforcement Agency, since January of 2007, the program is credited with identifying more than 100,000 potentially removable aliens -- mostly at local jails.

“The numbers tell the story - 287(g) is an effective program, and that is why I am a champion for it. This week I signed onto a letter to President Obama showing my support of 287(g) and asked that funding be continued,” Boozman said.

Rogers Mayor Steve Womack has been a driving force behind the task force, providing leadership instrumental in cracking down on illegal immigrants in northwest Arkansas, Boozman said.

The letter to the president reads, in part:

"We support the 287(g) program. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-208) created the 287(g) program to provide state and local law-enforcement officers with statutory immigration enforcement authority, in addition to their inherent authority.”Vaughn completes Navy basic trainingFrom Staff Reports

SILOAM SPRING - Navy Seaman Apprentice Christine Vaughn, daughter of Carol C. Vaughn of Siloam Springs, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Vaughn completed a variety of training, which included classroom studyand practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. “Battle Stations” is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributesof sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly “Navy” flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.

Vaughn is a 2009 graduate of North Canyon High School of Phoenix, Ariz.

News, Pages 11 on 10/21/2009