These numbers are staggering. It's a full scale invasion. Thanks demonrats. Thanks Republicans. Thanks Washington.
Posted on 04/18/2006 3:36:04 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
FALFURRIAS - Local Minutemen take to the skies in hopes of curbing illegal immigration. The controversial Minuteman Civil Defense Corps is currently in the middle of a 30-day patrol in the Falfurrias area tracking illegal immigration and reporting suspicious activity to the Border Patrol.
Some have called the group racist vigilantes, while others support its cause. But in either case, the organization is busier than ever.
An RV-7 homemade plane is one of several being used for air surveillance. Pilot Chuck Imken said as many as half a dozen like him joined the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps after watching illegal immigration become a bigger and bigger problem.
"You know, enough's enough, and so I just decided to go ahead and sign up," said Imken. They now make daily flights over miles of ranch land scouring the terrain below for trails or signs of life.
"It's extremely valuable because they can cover so much ground," said Vickers.
"If the ground people spot something that looks suspicious, they can ask us to fly over and check it out, and we can be there in a couple of minutes," said Imken. They can also see over fences and through thick brush.
"Sometimes, you can see something from the air that they can't see from the ground." Imken said the resource is especially helpful at a time when talk of amnesty has helped to inspired a new wave of illegal immigration.
Since April 1, the Minutemen have reported more than 400 suspected illegals to the border patrol. Some of them found from the air. Imken said he's well aware of the stereotypes his organization receives, but said the labels are unjust.
"If people would take the time and bother to go to the Minuteman Web site, and look at the standard operating procedures, they'd see there's no vigilantes involved in it at all," said Imken.
In his case, he's just a pilot with a new purpose. Border Patrol officials confirmed that they have made more apprehensions in the past few weeks than during the same period last year. However, the agency won't say whether the increase is a result of the Minutemen's efforts.
The issue of immigration has made South Texas a hotbed of controversy. While there are strong supporters of immigrants rights marching in the streets, there are others literally on patrol demanding the government secure the nation's borders. Actions by folks on one side of the issue, often prompt reactions from people on the other side.
Recent marches for immigrants rights have helped to unite opposition against government plans to criminalize illegal immigration, but the Mexican flags waving have also had another effect - an increase in volunteers for the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. Volunteers said the help is needed now more than ever. They claim all the talk of amnesty has inspired a new wave of illegals to flock north of the border.
"The Border Patrol told us last night that in our last meeting. The minute the word is even mentioned, or seen in print, Katy bar the door, I mean it's flooding," said Linda Vickers. The Border Patrol confirms they are making more apprehensions.
From March 1 to April 10 of 2005, 194,000 illegals were captured nationwide. During the same time this year, the number is over 207,000. An overall increase of 7%. As part of this month long Minuteman patrol, 400 illegals have been reported so far, including several coyotes, or smugglers.
"They're the ones that have 17 in their vehicles, and they're the ones you can really prosecute," Vickers said.
There are plenty that don't support the effort, calling the Minutemen racist and vigilantes.
Lydia Caballero, who opposes the Minutemen project said, "Five miles from here is Sarita [checkpoint]. There's no reason for those people to be here. They're not even from here. They don't belong to us, they don't belong in our area."
But the group is convinced their efforts are paying off, now more than ever before.
Online Reporter: Bart Bedsole
And illegal aliens do, Lydia?
mean and unfair minutemen spy plane ping
"mean and unfair minutemen spy plane ping"
So how long before they are accused of firing from their plane? That said, what a good idea (meaning using the planes is a good idea).
I wonder how long before they got shot at while flying their plane.
America is being invaded, and these private citizens are the ONLY ones who are trying to stop it. Bush and his cronies have only made it worse.
This man should be impeached for dereliction of duty.
"I wonder how long before they got shot at while flying their plane."
An excellent but unfortunate point.
If any of you have ever been to the Florida Keys down near Key West you may have noticed what looks like a small derigible (blimp) thats tethered in place.
That is the all seeing eye in the sky that watches for Cubans coming across the Florida straights.
Why these same things are not used along are southern border should be a mystery.
I'm wondering if they'll need a helicopter pilot...I'll remeber this a few monthes from now, and check-in.
MMAF Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
>>If any of you have ever been to the Florida Keys down near Key West you may have noticed what looks like a small derigible (blimp) thats tethered in place.
That is the all seeing eye in the sky that watches for Cubans coming across the Florida straights.
Why these same things are not used along are southern border should be a mystery.<<
I had no idea. That's an excellent point.
Those scum are entering our country not following the laws that are in place and compared to their own countries laws: we are quite nice to our illegals even if we put them in jail and deport them.
ping
Mark to track. Thanks
Falfurrias is 90 miles from the border. The plane is probably safe. The border would be a different story, IMO.
LOL ;)
Right.........
"It uses radar to track drug runner planes illegally crossing our border. Several of these blimps form a protective network over our southern border. When the blimps are brought down because of high winds, illegal air traffic proceeds unimpeded".
The problem is there are many days of high winds in that part of the desert. When I lived there, I could see the blimp from my kitchen window.. The drug smugglers can visually spot when the blimp isn't up, and they signal the others with the "go ahead".
sw
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