Border Patrol: Two Americans Threatened with Civil Rights Lawsuit for Stopping Illegals

Sierra Times ^ | 09.26.01 | J.J. Johnson

[Movemout]

Whetstone AZ - In a time of heightened tensions and security around the nation, two Cochise County men may soon have to pay a price for what many would consider a civic duty. Apparently stopping an illegal encroachment across a national border can get you in a lot of trouble.

On Sunday, September 23, John Petrello and his neighbor Phil Mathews saw something on Petrello's 5-acre parcel along the U.S/Mexican border, about 12 miles south of Sierra Vista. "We saw the 'coyotes' just drop about 26 Mexican nationals off in two groups, and then leave", said Petrello.

"Coyotes" is a term given to drivers who transport illegals across the border, and to their prescribed destinations in the U.S. Being on alert as many Americans are at the southern border are, they took action.

At about 8:30 am local time, Petrello detained 14 nationals directly across the road from his property. The illegals ran from his property to other side of road with Petrello and Mathews in pursuit. Then the two ordered the illegals to get on the ground which they did.

No shots were fired.

"Once they saw the gun, and heard us, they stopped. They gave us no problem and didn't try to escape", said Petrello. This is nothing new to the American border dwellers. He has been doing this for over a year - always working with the Border Patrol.

John has held illegal aliens on his own property and taken them to Border Patrol in the past. "I was in one shoot-out involving shots fired. on about 12 illegals; all men, all backpacked and advancing on me after shouting to stop." The men were on his property and running towards him, his wife and daughter. The Border Patrol gave him no problem. "They patrol our street frequently". Said Petrello. He said the neighbors help was even solicited in the past.

Then, a second car of illegals pulled up. Mathews moved to detain this group, leaving John with the first group. A total of 26 illegals were held for The United States Border Patrol. The call was made by Petrello's wife.

Like in previous times, the U.S. Border Patrol gave him no problem over his actions. All the detainees were captured on U.S. Soil "They [Petrello and Matthews] were free to leave. There was no violation of the law", according to the Border Patrol.

Tell that to the Mexicans.

At about 2:30 PM the same day , a sheriff's deputy drove out from Sierra Vista and told John Petrello that may have violated the illegal aliens civil rights. This was due to a civil rights lawsuit that has been filed by those Mexican Nationals with help from the Mexican Consulate nearby - against John Petrello and Phil Matthews.

As expected, John Petrello went ballistic.

He did state that both the Border Patrol and Sheriff Deputy were very polite about the whole affair, but he wonders what's going on with American border security. "Apparently the illegal aliens have more rights than American Citizens. Why are not our civil rights being protected?" he asked.

Petrello said he did learn from both the Border Patrol and the Chocise County Sheriff's office that last week, at least 10 foreign nationals were apprehended in the same area last week. They were described as of Middle-Eastern origin.

A public report on last Sunday's event is due out later this week.

 

[Bikers4Bush]

It's a sick time. Lawsuits like this should be made illegal immediately.

Illegal aliens have no civil rights, those are reserved for actual citizens.

[AppyPappy]

violated the illegal aliens civil rights

So if I stop a bank robbery, I can get nailed for violating the robber's civil rights?

[csvset]

Paging Homeland Security Czar; cleanup needed in Cochise County.

[Anonymous2]

maybe from now on just shoot them and bury them without making any phone calls.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

bump

[Movemout]

"Petrello said he did learn from both the Border Patrol and the Chocise County Sheriff's office that last week, at least 10 foreign nationals were apprehended in the same area last week. They were described as of Middle-Eastern origin. "

Did you catch this part?

[Bucanight]

::::shaking head:::: these illegals tresspass on his property and HE is violating THEIR civil rights? Amazing

[MissAmericanPie]

This is enraging.

[gulfcoast6]

Nope, didn't catch this. What else is going to have to happen for politicians to seal our borders. f you congressman is like mine, you can write them but, nothing, no 'form' letter or nothing EXCEPT a reqest for money for re election.

[Anonymous2]

can you imagine if this goes to court and he loses with an oj(miguels?)-like jury?! not too mention, several yemenis, i believe, although the nationality could be another m.e. nation, were detained by federales earlier this week attempting to cross. that border is unbelievable. i honestly don't know that i'd have allowed them to press charges or not, if you know what i mean. how does a guy get hold of 26 throw downs without being miami vice though? ;(

[csvset]

Yes, I saw that. Earlier this month, (prior to the WTC attack), I saw a report that claimed that people from all over the world are flocking to Mexico because it's so easy to gain access to the US.

Someone needs to remind the PC yahoos out in Cochise County, that we are war! Any & all illegals should be treated as potential terrorists, imho.

[Anonymous2]

i missed your post. i was referred to this incident above this post. unbelievable. absolutely unfingbelievable.

[Jethro Tull]

Buchanan warned the American public (especially the Republican Party) about such garbage, and for his efforts
he's been called a nazi by the neo-cons.

Our politicians haven't the guts to seal our borders, even now....

[BurkeanCyclist]

So if I stop a bank robbery, I can get nailed for violating the robber's civil rights?

That actually happened a few years back, didn't it? Some guy pinned a criminal (maybe a mugger rather than a bank robber) to a wall with his car, and got sued for breaking the guy's leg.

Legislatures should consider laws to deny or limit illegal aliens' standing to sue in civil court.

[Anonymous2]

not to mention the *coyotes*. 26 x 500 usd is 13,000 cash. that can buy a lot of tall fence.

[borisbob69]

may have violated the illegal aliens civil rights.

Since when do NONcitizens have any rights in our country? The fact that they weren't shot for trespassing shows a great deal of respect for their rights as human beings. As for these two guys being charged with anything, it's a sad day when the Mexican consulate/government can have any influence on the internal workings of our society!

God Bless America!

[goldstategop]

Doris Meissner and her crowd that ran the INS believed foreigners should have more rights than American citizens to the point where they stopped enforcing our immigration laws altogether. And no wonder we witnessed what happened on Sept. 11th. I have gathered from the just posted story that you can get into a lot of trouble for being a patriot. And that they're being sued for defending this country from those who have no business being here is a sign of how much the times have changed.

[Lonman219]

RIGHT ON!!!!