Taking security measures into their own hands, Arizona wants your help to expand the country's southern border fence

Natalie Gonnella
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When it comes to border security, President Obama may prefer mocking attacks over addressing security gaps, but that isn't going to stop the lawmakers of Arizona from securing their state.  And thanks to a new law that went into effect today, so long as they can raise both private donations and landowner support, the people of Arizona can now build their own barrier along the state's southern border without the approval (or aggravation) of the federal government.

Citing the fact that the border fence in Yuma successfully prevented 93 percent of all undocumented crossings in that area, Arizona's leaders hope to replicate that success throughout the rest of the state.

With the help of the recently launched Border Donation Service of the State of Arizona, Republican state Senator Steve Smith, who sponsored the legislation aims to raise at least $50 million from nationwide donations.

USA Today notes that, overall in Arizona:

The state's southern border is about 370 miles long. About a third of that, mostly in the western part of the state between Yuma and Nogales, has the type of fence lawmakers want. The rest either has no fencing or has fencing designed to keep out vehicles. In that part of the state, the fence is only a few feet tall and is made of barbed wire or wooden posts. Smith said most illegal immigrants cross into the eastern part of Arizona over that more porous border.

The Joint Border Security Advisory Committee will oversee the administration and management of the construction and maintenance of the fence, and 100% of donations, which will be held by the Arizona State Treasury's office, go directly to the project.

For more information on the Arizona border security initiative, visit www.buildtheborderfence.com.