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.
He didn't have to hop the fence to report the story. He's just grandstanding.
Yeppers, Sean "Mr. Clean" Hannity now breaks the law with impunity. Lock him up and thow away the key, I say.
So he LIED!
Third...
Come on now. DemocRATS are a tad smarter than a horse becuase, for the most part, Dems don't sh!+ during parades.
Hannity might be an ass, but he also did nothing wrong. Period. Or do you like carrying water for the liberals?
She looks like the fat Dixie Chick.
Al Franken?
And what if Hillary gives a visit? You going to become a Hillary fan?
" But it is hard to deny the great exposure they got with Hannity broadcasting live with them for two days."
I'm grateful for the attention he brought to their noble cause. However, as the organizers of the Minutemen have worked hard to make their members aware, stupid stunts are easily used to make them all look bad.
The Minutemen have put up with a lot of crap from the ACLU. They have refused to be baited into situations that the ACLU could distort to their advantage.
They have avoidind doing things like what Hannity did because they know they have to walk the high road to be successful in this effort that is as much political as functional.
If Hannity wants to support them, he should hold himself to the same standards of action the Minutemen have held themselves to during their efforts.
It only takes a few idiots to give the pro-illegal immigration people and media enough things to blow out of porportion and make the Minutemen look bad.
Hannity's stunt was stupid, and disrespectful of the efforts of the Minutemen.
Almost 4 years after 9/11.
The shame isn't Sean's.
The shame is all on Bush.
His is the real crime.
Thanks. I would be remiss if I didn't thank
LibertarianizeTheGOP
He works tirelessly indexing a great deal of FR articles for posterity. A lot of them can be found in the Smoky backroom.
The fence is constructed three feet inside the US Mexico border. Hannity only gave the appearance of violating the law. Appearance is very important to RATs don't confuse them with facts.
Except those two. But a visit by each would bring more free publicity for the Minutemen. I'm sure they would be happy to show Hillary around
I personally can't stand the guy. It might have been stupid, but there are many people who don't what a desert looks like, or what it's like in the wide open spaces. They now have a visual of how easy it is to enter the US.
There were so many opponents of the MMP, that kid that gave the guy a T-shirt and Hannity's stunt were all they could find to report. The success of the MMP has disapointed a lot of people, so they have blown out of proportion these two non-events which makes THEM look stupid.
I'm waiting for the environuts to accuse him of stepping on some endangered cactus or mexican sand crab.
They are real. Went to Az state.
lol, do tell....
While a stark raving socialist nut job, she is actually a nice person. Can run to plump, but overall attractive.
They would be happy to show Hillary around. They have invited her.
Well that's too bad. That's just the type they prey on. Publik Skools are preparing our little ones right now for College activism. Very sad.
>>They are real. Went to Az state.<<
That will enhance her self esteem!
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