Families of 11 dead illegals to sue U.S.(failure to put water in desert contributed to their deaths)

The Washington Times ^ | May 11, 2002 | Steve Miller

[Rome2000]

The families of 11 immigrants who died illegally crossing into Arizona from Mexico have filed a $41 million claim against two federal agencies, saying the government's refusal to put water out in the desert contributed to the migrants' deaths.

The action filed against the Department of Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asks for $3.75 million for each of the deceased, whose bodies were found last year in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge between Tucson and Yuma.

[Rome2000]

If this case isn't thrown out of court immediately it will be the beginning of the end for the USA.

[Rome2000]

Any imbecile can file a lawsuit.

It takes a righteous judge to prevent the legal system from becoming a mockery of justice.

The lawyers are praying for a Democrat judge.

[RikaStrom]

"What these agencies knew — or should have known — is that by doing this, and with a history of deaths in the desert, these people would cross in these dangerous areas," said A. James Clark, one of the two Yuma lawyers filing the claim. "It would have cost the government nothing to put water stations in, as it had done in other locations."

Ah, I see. We're trying to keep illegals from sneaking across the border, but then they sue because there is no water station in a spot that they are not supposed to be in to begin with... gotcha.

Please let this be thrown out immediately, and have the judge laughing the entire time.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Fourteen persons died in May 2001 when smugglers led the immigrants into an area of the refuge known as the "Devil's Path" near the Mexican border.

Hellllllo???

[w1andsodidwe]

Come on people. Lawyers need jobs. You can't blame them for beating the bushes to find clients.

That was of course sarcasm. This is an outrage. Unfortunately are courts are packed with so many liberal judges, that this may not be thrown out. The lawyers should be reprimanded for even attempting this.

[MarshMan]

The absolute gall that some people have!! These illegals can drink my piss as I watch them shrivel up in the dry heat if they want to. That's all I'd give them. There are legal means to come to our country, and if they don't use them, VAYA CON QUESO!!

[anniegetyourgun]

ALSO HERE.

[StriperSniper]

A spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Albuquerque, N.M., which oversees the refuge, acknowledged that his agency received the request for water stations last year.

"But of those places they requested to place water stations, none of them would have helped the poor people who perished there," said spokesman Tom Bauer. "In fact, the closest proposed water area for a water station was 12 miles and two mountain ranges away from where the migrants were found dead."

This was stupid.

[Still Using Air]

Why stop with the Water Issue? Let's put up a 5-Star Hilton out there, free food, swimming pools, laundry...
...Hate to see those ILLEGAL aliens have to sneak in all filthy and tired from the ILLEGAL crossing as they try to gain employment ILLEGALLY in the USA.
Or, let's just open the borders up totally, get rid of all Border Patrol/Immigration personnel, think of the money we'd save then, too. </ack!!>

[07055]

"It would have cost the government nothing to put water stations in, as it had done in other locations."

This statement is stupid on several levels.

First, if it would have "cost nothing" to put out water, why didn't the lawyer do it? Why didn't advocates for illegal aliens do it? I guess it would have also "cost nothing" for the government to charter these illegals a limosine for the trip---and be sure it was very well catered with the best food and the finest tequila.

Second, *has* the government put out water for illegal aliens in other locations? If so, why?

[Scott from the Left Coast]

If this case isn't thrown out of court immediately it will be the beginning of the end for the USA.

No, if this case isn't thrown out immediately, it'll be well along toward the end for the USA.

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

This is like a bank robber who gets shot in the commission of his crime and says,"if the the bank had not had a guard at the door I wouldn't have been shot. Gimme a check."

[Paul Atreides]

I remember reading of a man who, while illegally entering someone's house in order to burglarize it, tripped while climbing in the window and broke his leg. He sued the homeowner and won.

So, don't be surprised if this lawsuit is treated seriously.

I suppose the U.S. should also be sued because there wasn't a taco stand, shiny new car, deed to a home, health insurance policy, and a new job waiting for the illegals as well.

[Amerigomag]

The two ambulance chasing, barrio attorneys involved in this should have their bar privileges in Arizona revoked. This would hopefully have a chilling effect on this type of frivolous, legal cohersion.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

What on earth is the U.S. thinking? There should clearly be a water station, followed by an emergency room to deliver any babies, followed by a welfare office, followed by...

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

I have worked with the border patrol before, they don't have time to put out water, they are too busy picking up trash on the border(and I mean actual trash,bottles, cans etc). This directive went into effect about two years ago I believe.

[Chemnitz]

A Democrat party recruiting station would be good at the border, along with the other amenities. I would also add a McDonald's with free food.

[DittoJed2]

followed by...a real INS person to check for green cards and ship them back to Mexico??

[daviddennis]

If you read the article a little more carefully, you'll see that the water was actually put out to save endangered species in need of water.

All involved should realize that if we put out water for illegal aliens, we'd also put a few Border Patrol agents in the same general area. Oops.

Surely people who are being paid $1,400 a person to sneak illegals across the border can afford a $150 GPS? That would solve their real problem, which is not that they tried this passage, but that they got lost. For $150 plus the cost of batteries, you'll never get lost again.

Period.

D

[scholar]

FYI