Posted on 04/21/2005 11:17:56 AM PDT by madfly
PHOENIX, AZ (April 20, 2005) - Apparently the U.S. Border Patrol believes that national TV and radio stars don't have to play by the same rules as others.
Mr. Sean Hannity, a well-paid commentator for Fox News, climbed over a barbed wire fence separating the United States from Mexico yesterday at about 3:15 p.m. A few minutes later he climbed back over the fence, breaking federal law by reentering the U.S. illegally.
Mr. Hannity's border violations were videotaped by ACLU Legal Observers. The Border Patrol was contacted, but they chose not to arrest or cite Mr. Hannity for his willful violation of federal law. Likewise, Minutemen in the vicinity of the incident did not take the opportunity to turn Mr. Hannity over to federal officials, as they have allegedly done with all other illegal immigrants apprehended on the border this month.
Federal law, specifically 19 U.S.C. Section 1459(a), requires all "individuals arriving in the United States other than by vessel, vehicle, or aircraft [to] enter the United States only at a border crossing point designated by the Secretary; and immediately report the arrivals and present themselves, and all articles accompanying them for inspection; to the customs officer at the customs facility designated for that crossing point."
According to 19 U.S.C. Section 1459(e), anyone who intentionally enters the United States at a place other than a designated border crossing can be imprisoned for up to one year and fined up to $5,000. Mr. Hannity faces neither of these penalties. Individuals apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol do.
This is the very same crime that Minutemen have traveled across the country to Arizona to stop. While some may argue that Mr. Hannity's actions were not significant, he committed the same crime that all individuals who enter the country illegally commit. In fact, ACLU observers were warned that they would be arrested if they accidentally or deliberately crossed the border and tried to reenter the U.S.
Why is U.S. Border Patrol demonstrating such an obvious double standard? If the Minutemen came to Arizona to watch the border for signs of illegal immigration, why did they fail to report Mr. Hannity?
There is only possible conclusion. The Minutemen and the Border Patrol have one set of rules for television celebrities, and another for hard-working people who cross the border in search of work.
Staggering ignorance. Anyone who has been in Toomstone a few hours knows that. The locals are constantly explaining it to the tourists.
Staggering ignorance. Anyone who has been in Toomstone a few hours knows that. The locals are constantly explaining it to the tourists.
Here is the e-mail I sent to Representative Sinema:
Dear Representative Sinema,
I just read your press release entitled "Border Patrol, Minutemen Have Double Standard on Immigration".
First off, I'd like to point out that the Minutemen did not travel across the country to stop people from violating 19 U.S.C. Section 1459(a) or (e).
The Minutemen traveled across the country to stop 8 U.S.C. Section 1325 (a), "Improper entry by alien". Mr. Hanity is not an alien, he is a US Citizen. I sincerely hope you understand the difference between the two.
Second, the Border Patrol does not enforce violations under 19 U.S.C. (Customs Duties), they enforce violations of 8 U.S.C. (Aliens and Nationality).
Third, the wording of 19 U.S.C. Section 1459(e) is very clear, "anyone who intentionally enters the United States at a place other than a designated border crossing can be imprisoned for up to one year and fined up to $5,000". As you can see, it clearly states "can be" and not "will be". Just because a person violated the law, does not mean they need to be charged with a crime. Being a politician, you should be very familiar with that.
As an elected representative of United States Citizens, maybe you should be more concerned with our rights then the rights of criminals from another country.
Sincerely,
A local Customs and Border Protection Officer
Ping to post #124
Ping to post #124
I love it, MI!
ping to #124
Excellent MI. Keep up the good fight...
As an elected representative of United States Citizens, maybe you should be more concerned with our rights then the rights of criminals from another country.
Another keyboard bites the dust.
By the way, Pat Buchanan pulled this same stunt when he was running for President. This is actually nothing all that new. The lefties freaked out then too.
One small note, it is my understanding that BP can now enforce 19 U.S.C. Section 1459(e) and other related Customs laws once the required training has been completed.
It's the same with us. I'm going through the training now and by the end of next week, I'll be able to enforce all of 19 U.S.C.
The BP that are detailed up here from Casa Grande say that they don't think Tucson Sector has started any Customs cross training or at least they have not in Casa Grande.
>>Nope, they don't. The tinfoil hat is blocking their ears.<<
Hee hee!
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