Maine: Search for illegal aliens alienates city

MaineToday.com ^ | January 30, 2004 | Bill Nemitz

[SheLion]

Either you're legal or illegal. Deport the illegals.

I'm all for it!

[eno_]

The problem is half-measures:

JBTs in balck BDUs blundering around, catching TEN people at incredible cost, and making fools of themselves.

Still no ability to STOP these people at the border.

So, if you want to sweep out illegal immigrants, suspend the Constitution for a limited time, make everyone show proof of citizenship or a valid visa, and be done with it, so we can have our rights back.

Otherwise you have a situation where the expense is infinite, everyone's rights are diminished, and TEN FREAKIN' PEOPLE get busted, which is NOTHING.

[zygoat]

Good. They have to go. The illegal immigrant is the root CAUSE of our so-called "erosion of freedom",and the sooner the problem is dealt with, the better. I don't care if they're eating at McDonalds,attending a wedding, or at their Mama's funeral. If they are illegal-send em' packing. Of course G.W.,s amnesty program is incompatible with any serious attempt to clean up America.

[verity]

There must be a full moon.

[BobS]

Diogenesis, those pictures need to be posted often.

[petercooper]

and jump on Medicaid

[cyborg]

good post

[eno_]

The problem is that roaming bands of JBTs doing random stops for papers is not what the U.S. is about. It's ineffective, costly, and anti-Constitutional. It's about conditioning you to be searched on demand. Are you wiling to bow to the authorities on demand?

They better figure out a way to stop people at the border, or due both the the illegals, and to the actions of our government, there won't be a nation left worth fighting for.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

First of all, driving is not a right. By driving, you agree to follow the laws that are associated w/driving (though I don't like checkpoints either way). As far as a crack house analogy, if I'm not mistaken, the agents went into restaurants and stores. I find it ironic that someone with the name SouternFreebird is perfectly comfortable to have federal agents accosting people who are simply mind their own business. Like I said, there is a way to stop the illegal problem other than harrassing legal citizens!

[eno_]

Thanks. Just pointing out that the solutions that actually work are often the ones that also respect the Constitution the most.

Many jackboot lickers trot out the line that "the Constitution is not a suicide pact" as a preface to using the Constitution as asswipe. If the situation is really that dire, then declare matial law and clean it up. And get it done quick, too!

The Border Patrol is not about secure borders, it's about employing the maximum number of Border Patrol agents with all the latest gun toys.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

You are very correct as far as how real change would be accomplished. Of course, it goes against everything that I believe in, but it would work. Yes, you can be falsely suspected, but there must be probable cause.

[eno_]

Show me where the government is authorized to restrict right of citizens to travel by whatever means they desire.

Alternatively, name one unenumerated right.



Yeah, didn't think so.

[Steve Eisenberg]

So, if you want to sweep out illegal immigrants, suspend the Constitution for a limited time, make everyone show proof of citizenship or a valid visa, and be done with it, so we can have our rights back.

In a month the Mexicans would be back, in six months the rest. I think you need to get at the reason they come here -- employers who risk at worst a fine (and that VERY rare) for hiring them.

As for the consitution, the intent of the "unreasonable searches" clause was that there has to be a reason to suspect someone. The framers were reacting to situations in which the British had searched every house in a town.

I think that the founders would see airport security as a violation because most Americans eventually are searched. When they found out about 9/11, they would want a constitutional amendment to allow airport security. However, a search of a restaurant known to harbor many illegal aliens is reasonable because they DIDN'T search every building in Portland, just ones where there was a reason for suspicion. The OP fails to explain the process whereby the Border Patrol picked these places to search. Maybe there was a history of the owners being fined for hiring illegals, for example. We will never know from a pro-illegal article like this.

[FITZ]

Bennett calls such fears unfounded. If confronted by a federal agent, he said, all anyone has to do is "be friendly, be straightforward and answer their questions." And above all, watch your mannerisms.

I've been questioned by border patrol three times in my life besides the times I went through the border ports and those INS highway stops --- I didn't have to show papers, they aren't rude, they just ask you some questions and they can tell if you're foreign or not. If you are foreign, you might have to produce papers --- hopefully your papers are in order.

[swampfox98]

People are really afraid."

Bull Crap they're afraid. Our government has made it clear to every illegal person across America that he is here for life. What a bull crock statement.

[Freee-dame]

Diogenesis, those pictures need to be posted often.

I agree. This is the first time I have seen what I think is Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon.

Many Americans seem to have forgotten how the entire country felt back then, wondering when and where the next attack would occur.

[MissAmericanPie]

"My business is down 80 percent since Saturday," lamented Juan Gonzalez, owner of La Bodega Latina Grocery Store on Congress Street. "Customers call me on the phone saying, 'Is it clear? Can we come down?' People are really afraid."

Cry me a river.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

While very emotional, I'm not sure what any of this has to do with the article. I suspect your are saying that based on 9/11 it is okay for the government to expand it's powers? "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

[verity]

Many jackboot lickers ACLU butt kissers.

[cyborg]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1068961/posts
It's homeland security baby! As long as you're a law abiding citizen, sure you shouldn't have a problem with the government minding your business