Rights activists seeking to halt citizen border patrols - groups that try to curb illegal crossings

Associated Press ^ | December 28, 2002 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

Rights activists seeking to halt citizen border patrols

New governor urged to stop groups that try to curb illegal crossings

12/28/2002

Associated Press

PHOENIX - Immigrants rights activists are urging Arizona's incoming governor to stop citizens groups that patrol border areas looking for illegal immigrants and smugglers.

Members of the Border Action Network asked Gov.-elect Janet Napolitano earlier this month to investigate the legality of the armed groups and their actions, which are aimed at curbing illegal border crossings.

"It's not their job to defend, to harass people, stalk people, injure people. That's nobody's job," said Jennifer Allen, co-director of the Tucson-based organization. "They [illegal immigrants] have civil rights and human rights that take precedence over defending the country."

There are now at least three citizens groups patrolling the Arizona-Mexico border, which has been one of the most active spots in the nation for illegal crossings during the last few years.

In at least one instance, one group seized about 280 pounds of marijuana from smugglers crossing a private ranch.

So far, there has been no known violence linked to the groups.

However, officials have warned of the potential for someone to get hurt during encounters between the groups and illegal immigrants or smugglers.

Human rights groups, such as the Arizona Civil Liberties Union and the Office of Peace and Justice, are backing activists opposing the citizens groups' actions, as are some local government officials and border residents.

"We are a government of law," said Pamela K. Sutherland, legal director of the Arizona Civil Liberties Union. "The vigilantism and lawlessness they [citizens militias] represent cannot be tolerated and we won't let their behavior go unchecked."

Members of the patrol groups said Wednesday that they have taken defensive measures because law enforcement has failed them.

"Citizens would not feel they have to do this if our elected officials were doing their job in providing security," said Chris Simcox, organizer of a militia called Civil Homeland Defense.

"We are humans who understand the plight of people who are fleeing Mexico, but it is not a situation we will tolerate," Mr. Simcox said.

Southern Arizona rancher Roger Barnett said he patrols his land to protect against people who are breaking the law. Mr. Barnett has on occasion confronted illegal immigrants and held them for authorities.

"There's no law down here. It's a dangerous place," he said. "These people who come in, they tear up the environment, they'll drive down the road like a crazy person. Everyone is in danger of these people. They're lawbreakers."

Border Action Network is also urging the government to investigate several incidents in which immigrants were killed or injured, including five cases from this year.

They include an October case where unknown gunmen opened fire on a group of illegal immigrants in Red Rock. Authorities are investigating whether smugglers were responsible for the shootings.

Ms. Napolitano's office received the organization's report on the patrol groups Wednesday but has yet to review it, said Napolitano spokeswoman Kris Mayes.

"There is no room in Arizona for vigilanteism," said Ms. Mayes.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/tsw/stories/122802dntexazvigilantes.24ff7.html

[MeekOneGOP]

Click HERE for Larger Image

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

PiNg

[Calico Cat]

Oh, boy. Two eye-rollers in the same story: "We are a government of law" ('law' doesn't seem to apply to those who are actually BREAKING THE LAW) and "they (illegal immigrants) have civil rights and human rights that take precedence over defending the country."

I don't think these two morons have a chance of winning many people over to their side while making such statements. Basically, it comes down to: U.S. laws applies to U.S. citizens but not to those who break U.S. laws to enter the country; and the U.S. has no right to defend its borders because the lawbreakers seeking to enter illegally have some kind of right not to be stopped, detained or questioned in any way. And since when do the rights of illegal aliens supersede the right of U.S. citizens to DEFEND THE COUNTRY'S BORDERS?

WHAT?!?!? It sounds like anarchy on the border, and very few willing to ENFORCE THE LAW!

[MeekOneGOP]

Rights activists seeking to halt citizen border patrols -
groups that try to curb illegal crossings

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Arizona ping list!. . .don't be shy.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you !

[goldstategop]

The same ACLU that's trying the rid the country of Christianity has the nerve to accuse Americans of wanting to secure their country's safety? Bwahahaha!!! No wonder assertive Americans make them scared and if I remember awright it was the same ACLU that went to court here in California to nullify citizens' votes to enact Proposition 187 to stop illegal immigration through the constitutional and political process. They've reaped what what they have sowed and since they've closed the door to the public to stop illegal immigration by lawful means, there's really only one recourse left. And for what its worth, these groups aren't doing anything different than liberals did back in the 60s trying to bring to government leaders' attention an unjust AND illegal situation Americans refuse to put up with AFTER 9-11. I say to the citizen border patrols - you go guys and keep up the good work --- you make Americans proud of what you're doing to keep our country secure from its enemies.

[borisbob69]

I don't think these two morons have a chance of winning many people over to their side while making such statements.

While I agree with your thoughts...NEVER underestimate the foolishness of a lib. Napolitano is as lib as they get...don't be surprised if she manages to turn AZ into a socialist enclave.

[goldstategop]

The Left wants to complete the work of destroying America and they're not really unhappy 9-11 happened despite all their handwringing - its just that they disagreed with the terrorists' means to do it and not with the ultimate objective. They're still a threat to this country and right now they're still engaged in sawing right under its foundations.

[MeekOneGOP]

Check this one out...

Border attack charges dropped - Evidence not tied
to 13 Mexicans accused of assaulting FBI agents
Thirteen Mexican citizens accused of robbing a border train were returned to Mexico.

[SheLion]

Good Morning, Meek. Great thread!!!!

[SheLion]

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Arizona ping list!. . .don't be shy.

Can I get on? LOL! Seriously!

[David Isaac]

Maybe our three lovely ladies, mentioned above, would like to stand in for their FBI sister (mentioned in the previous post), and receive a complimentary Louisville Slugger massage graciously provided by the enlightened citizens of Mexico.

My stomach churns when I listen to the drivel coming out of the mouths of these stupid (and ignorant) airheads. A pox on them all.

[DLfromthedesert]

Boy, I just can't wait to see Butch (our incoming governor El Napo) try to stop these people from doing what is lawful and right!!!

I hope Kris Eggle's parents give Butch a piece of their mind!! (He's the 28 year old ranger that was killed by a Mexican drug runner)

[SheLion]

Meek must have gone to bed....

[Feckless]

"Immigrants rights activists "

Since we are talking here about ILLEGAL immigrants why do you need activists when you only have one right? The right to stay out of our country!

[madfly]

ping

[madfly]

Here is a link to the Border Action Network's (formerly known as SWARM) report.

HATE or Heroism (a .pdf file)

BorderAction.org (website)

[Marauder]

The Left wants to complete the work of destroying America ...

You have a solid understanding of the goal of the liberals, i.e., the "big picture." Nothing the liberal activists do makes any sense until that simple fact is acknowledged, then everything falls into place, and their motives become clear.

Now, how do we stop them?

[Tripleplay]

Please put me on the list

[Tripleplay]

I don't think these two morons have a chance of winning many people over to their side while making such statements.

Unfortunately, they only have to convince one person, a judge.