When she testifies in Washington today, Assemblywoman Addie Russell will talk about the need for border security while tempering what some call a “police state” effect in St. Lawrence County.

Russell, a Democrat, is appearing before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security, which is being chaired by New York U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer.

The assemblywoman’s 118th “River District” extends along the border with Canada from Massena to Cape Vincent.

Her testimony will focus on the northern border security, including drug smuggling, and will urge federal immigration reform. She will mention her work as a member of the Assembly Export-Trade Committee and the Northern New York-Kingston Initiative she recently launched with Kingston, Ontario Mayor Mark Gerretsen.

She commends authorities for the placement of a Border Enforcement Security Task Force team in Massena and for working with the Department of Homeland Security to agree to use military radar on the northern border to stop drug dealers from using low-flying planes.

But she says that “the flow of narcotics from Canada into the United States appears to have increased dramatically in recent years and it is imperative that our federal government continue to develop successful strategies to curtail this activity.”

“Perhaps most important is the need to strike a balance between enforcement and infringement – that is to say infringement on the daily lives of northern New York residents who face routine traffic stops and road blocks by Border Patrol officers presumably as part of anti-narcotics enforcement,” an advance copy of Russell’s testimony says.

“While drug enforcement tactics are part of an overall strategy, the negative effects of enforcement are troubling to many, who refer to St. Lawrence County particularly as a ‘police state.’ Therefore, I urge our federal law enforcement agencies, as well as our state and local agencies to review what might be considered over-burdensome enforcement tactics and work with our citizens to create more of a positive relationship.”

And Russell will emphasize the need for border crossing procedures that “are thorough, yet efficient and speedy so as to not burden those citizens who are crossing for recreation and tourism, or hauling goods for businesses. Border crossing delays often deter tourism activities and mean increased costs for businesses. As we emerge from the recession, we must find every opportunity to help, not hinder business.”

And Russell will call for immigration reform, particularly as it relates to farm workers.

“In Northern New York, dairy farming is the dominant agricultural business. Many guest workers are employed on our dairy farm operations. However, the H-2A program does not apply to dairy farm workers. Guest worker programs must be updated in order for our economy to compete and grow. I have been examining the possibility of implementing a guest worker program at the state level, and am consequently working on draft legislation at this time. The true fix remains at the federal government level and I urge you to pass immigration reform, especially reforms that improve guest worker programs, ensuring that our farms have the ability to employ permitted guest workers if needed, without fears that they have unwittingly hired workers that are not in the country legally.”