Posted on 08/21/2005 10:53:48 AM PDT by TERMINATTOR
Angered by unending waves of illegal immigration, some Americans have taken matters into their own hands by forming "Minuteman" patrols that they plan to expand from Arizona to Texas this fall.
A Houston congressman is pushing for creation of militias of armed volunteers to augment Border Patrol forces. Gov. Rick Perry is mulling a border neighborhood watch-style program.
And in recent days, the governors of Arizona and New Mexico – fed up with the failure of the federal government to control the border – have declared state emergencies in counties struggling with rising immigrant smuggling and violence.
"It's a scream for help from Congress," said Frank Sharry, head of the National Immigration Forum, an immigrant advocacy group lobbying for an immigration overhaul. "They are basically pounding the table and saying, 'Do something.' "
While Washington policy-makers are definitely attuned to the growing public anxiety over border security and illegal immigration, they're far from achieving consensus on the proper remedy.
The issues are complex and enmeshed with profound economic, diplomatic, national security and social considerations.
At heart, though, they revolve around two basic questions: How to improve enforcement of the porous Southwest border and what to do with an illegal immigrant population that tops 11 million and swells by 450,000 a year.
Sen. John Cornyn, the Texas Republican who will play a pivotal role in the debate as chairman of the Senate immigration subcommittee, believes the recent flare-ups on the border may hasten the pace of reform.
"There just seems to be a growing sense of momentum," Mr. Cornyn said, adding he is "pretty optimistic" Congress will tackle a comprehensive border security and immigration overhaul package this fall.
While there is little opposition to the idea of heightened border and interior enforcement, the Bush administration and lawmakers remain deeply split about how to treat those living here illegally. Some favor a plan that would set illegal immigrants on the path to legal residence, while others such as Mr. Cornyn propose allowing them to work here legally for several years before returning home.
"It's a very volatile and unstable debate," said Mr. Sharry. "There are a variety of voices all calling for action. And it's looking increasingly likely that Congress will address it – but the what Congress does is far from certain."
Arizona is bearing the brunt of illegal crossings, accounting for half of the 1,026,387 apprehensions made by the Border Patrol so far this fiscal year. Texas is second, with the arrest of 289,589 illegal crossers; California third, with 154,826; and New Mexico fourth, with 65,863.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, both Democrats, have in recent days declared emergencies in several border counties, freeing up $1.75 million and $1.5 million respectively for extra law enforcement and equipment to cope with immigration and rising violence.
"I'm taking these serious steps because of the urgency of the situation and, unfortunately, because of the total inaction and lack of resources from the federal government and Congress," Mr. Richardson said.
The governors have disputed charges by some Republicans that they're just trying to embarrass President Bush.
Mr. Perry has no plans to take a similar step "though the option remains on the table," said spokesman Robert Black. "He is more concerned with reminding the federal government that securing the national borders is a federal, not a state, responsibility."
Texas needs more federal resources, Mr. Black said, noting that the governor dispatched $5 million to enhance law enforcement amid the recent explosion of violence in Nuevo Laredo caused by warring drug cartels.
In Laredo, Webb County Sheriff Rick Flores complained that the state aid is too limited.
"Rick Perry is giving us nothing," Mr. Flores said. "Everything is happening along this stretch of the border, and we're not getting anything, other than lip service from both Governor Perry and the federal government.
"We're the first responders and we need additional monies to expand our reach and cover this porous border with Mexico," Mr. Flores added. "It's not the DEA, or the FBI. It's us, local law enforcement who are positioned right along the line – la linea –protecting the homeland."
In Del Rio, Val Verde County Judge Manuel Fernandez believes the solution isn't to declare a state of emergency. "I'm not in favor of what Governor Richardson did," Mr. Fernandez said. "If we're going to petition Governor Perry for anything, it's his help in lobbying the state and feds for more money and equipment to help us better control our borders."
Like most other South Texas officials, Mr. Fernandez is critical of the Minutemen groups coming to the state to set up militia-style guards along the border.
"Border control is a state and federal government issue, and that's who we trust to do the job," he said. "We don't need people coming into the state to do it."
Rep. John Culberson, the Houston Republican who has introduced legislation to deputize armed civilians in a Border Protection Corps, believes immediate action is necessary to patrol a porous border he views as a major national security threat.
"The bottom line is that the local and state law enforcement authorities are overwhelmed and overrun," he said.
Homeland Security Department spokesman Jarrod Agen noted that the administration has spent $2.7 billion on extra Border Patrol manpower and other border security measures since the Sept. 11 attacks. He pointed out that recently arrived Homeland Secretary Michael Chertoff has identified border security as a major priority. "We realize that this is a major area where we need to focus attention," he said.
Mr. Culberson urged the Bush administration to pay more attention to border security and immigration control.
Action can't come soon enough, he said. "I am fed up. My district is fed up. We simply cannot sit still and allow this to continue."
This is the sort of "lip service" we don't need.
We edge ever closer to Civil War II.
The issues are complex? What is so complex about them? Get out there and close the border, keep ILLEGALS out of the country. Sounds simple to me, but of course I am not some politican who owes certain lobbies favors for donations received during the election am I?
It shall remain lip service. Too much dinero changing hands with the failed WOD to divert funds and energy to the WOT. Cannot make near as much $$$ from WOT.
I live here. The corruption is NOT only on the Mexican side. True enough, the drug runners and smugglers want to avoid compromising a "good" trade route to AQ, but in the end whoever comes up with the most cash and influence will own the route. The drugs and prostitution are simply an added cashflow.
Mexican-American WarII more likely. It is disingenous to believe that this is about interstate commerce or states rights. It is about soveriegnty.
Yeah, old Janet right on the ball there. It only takes 65,000 to get Richardson to do something, but Janet doesn't budge until the number exceeds ONE MILLION!!!
I believe you
Many people are fed up! I have friends in CA and AZ who are dealing with explosion in illegals and they feel helpless. But still are trying everything they can to do something about it. My friend in CA wishes she could join the Minutemen, but can't right now. Yep, needless to say, Americans have had enough....and politicans need to start listening!! There is a HUGE problem with illegal immigration!
no...that's 450,000 "illegal landings" a year.
Maybe we are fed up, but mexicans have to be elated that all they have to do is trespass on our land, lie about any gringo that approaches them and thn be awarded land that they trespassed on. I'll bet there will be a slew of these suits going on soon.
How about this?
Kick their A***s out!..
Step 1.. close the border..
Step 2.. Remove all Illegals..
Step 3.. Have a "dialogue" about immigration..
I don't want to hear any "discussion" of #3, about illegals or immigration until #1 and #2 are dealt with..
Then and Only Then can we determine what the Legal Immigration rates should be..
The thirty foot wall works pretty well for Issrael.
Law enforcement is a complex process. /sarcasm
So many people are fed up with the status quo, and the failed Republican Party led by the President and egged on by RINOs over this Illegal Alien/Porous Borders/Day Laborer/Stretch Social Services/Bilingualism every where you look-thing, they they are going to turn out in droves in the primaries and send a clear message--despite all the media telling them they would be racists to go into the voting booth to do that.
It will be to late. There will be no guilt. We'll all just say 'screw you' this time. We are voting for a solution, once and for all.
So many people are fed up with the status quo, and the failed Republican Party led by the President and egged on by RINOs over this Illegal Alien/Porous Borders/Day Laborer/Stretch Social Services/Bilingualism every where you look-thing, they they are going to turn out in droves in the primaries and send a clear message--despite all the media telling them they would be racists to go into the voting booth to do that.
It will be to late. There will be no guilt. We'll all just say 'screw you' this time. We are voting for a solution, once and for all.
Is there an echo in here?
Shouldn't be much more expensive than building an Interstate from the Texas coast to California..
It would provide jobs, and I would bet dollars to donuts that thousands of Mexican American Citizens would be more than willing to help build it..
Just to be absolutely clear to all....
I have Latino blood in the family..
Both neices and nephews..
They don't have any "love" for illegals either..
Don't forget, there is an election cycle coming up in 2006 as well..
I'm not sure how many Southwestern congress critters are running in '06, but any that are should have their voting records gone over with a fine tooth comb..
If they have shown ANY favoritism for Illegals they should be voted out..
With a loud vengeance...
Send the message..
At heart, though, they revolve around two basic questions: How to improve enforcement of the porous Southwest border and what to do with an illegal immigrant population that tops 11 million and swells by 450,000 a year.
My sweet patootie! The Border Patrol announced over 1 million apprehensions in FY'04 and they estimate at least that many if not double made it past them. 450,000 is no more than a third of the real number; it could easily be one-sixth.
I stand corrected, you're numbers are probably closer to the truth. The sad fact of the matter however is that we have no real idea how many have come across, due to our OPEN BORDERS!
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