Posted on 05/21/2006 7:20:11 AM PDT by KoRn
A surge in the number of volunteers fanning out across Arizona's southern deserts to aid illegal immigrants is expected this summer.
The increase comes despite the ongoing prosecution of two volunteers arrested last summer on federal charges they intentionally conspired to transport illegal entrants, leaders of illegal immigrant aid groups said.
Shanti A. Sellz and Daniel M. Strauss, both 24, were arrested as they drove illegal entrants to a clinic on July 9 and face trial in October.
Leaders of two faith-based groups, No More Deaths and Samaritan Patrol, say they've signed up hundreds of volunteers to deliver food, water and medical aid to migrants illegally walking into the country from Mexico. No More Deaths alone has 500 registered volunteers, up from 300 last summer.
A third group, Humane Borders, puts water tanks in areas frequented by illegal migrants.
The groups are trying to reach an agreement with the U.S. Border Patrol spelling out legal ways they can provide humanitarian aid to illegal migrants.
The biggest issue is what to do when volunteers come across migrants they believe need immediate medical attention, the same situation that Sellz and Strauss contend led to their arrests.
No More Deaths legal adviser Margo Cowan said she's presented a draft agreement to the U.S. Border Patrol spelling out how to deal with similar situations.
But Michael Nicley, chief of the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, says he hasn't signed it. He said he is trying to maintain good relations with the aid groups but it is never right to transport illegal entrants, even if they're gravely ill. He said anyone who comes across an ill migrant should call the Border Patrol.
"If someone has a heart attack, then they need to summon emergency medical care," he said. "The smart way is not to load them in a vehicle and drive them to Tucson."
Cowan said her group is looking forward to "a good working collaboration with the Border Patrol this summer," and Border Patrol agents will attend No More Deaths training sessions.
"We're going to do everything we can to work with the U.S. to save lives. We're not picking fights," Cowan said.
Since Oct. 1, federal records show 73 migrants have died in the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, which runs from the New Mexico line to the western edge of Pima County, most caused by heat exhaustion and dehydration.
A total of 216 deaths, including women and children, were recorded in the Tucson Sector from Oct. 1, 2004 through Sept. 30, 2005.
They're baaaaack:
No More Deaths and Samaritan Patrol: A surge in the number of volunteers fanning out across Arizona's southern deserts to aid illegal immigrants is expected this summer.
BUMP!!
Living in an area with 30% unemployment due to manufacturing going to China, I wonder how many of those out of work people would take a job on a farm. We have a very high level of Hispanics in my area and almost all of them work on farms, and I'm sure a very small percentage of them are here legally.
Disgusting. We have an infinite supply of liberal numb nutz. I don't mind seeing the desert do the work George Bush is too lazy to do.
You were right until you got to the beating part. They should be arrested and jailed, not beaten.
Doing that would lower us to their level.
I agree. I can think of some creative methods for salting the water. ;^)
Chinese Christians should cheer the Tiennamen massacre?
Abolitionists were in the wrong acting against slavery and institutionalized racism during the Civil War period?
You need to rethink your comment.
"You need to rethink your comment."
In Romans 13:1,2
Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.
1 Peter 2:13 ,14
For the Lord’s sake, accept all authority—the king as head of state, and the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish all who do wrong and to honor those who do right
Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable men, and made them heads over you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and officers for your tribes.
Some ol' Arizona Redneck might mistake them for a deer.
Are these words of a religion or a cult?
Oh please, can we deport these people so they can help the illegals on the other side?? What a crock- if they really want to help Mexicans they need to do humanitarian work in Mexico, not encourage those who are coming here illegally.
Fake 'No More Deaths' members. That's what's needed here. Go out to 'save' them, then radio the BP, instead.
They could be considered on a par with abolitionists who defied injustice during the Civil War? How bout Christians defying segregation laws?
Isn't it a Christians duty to defy injustice?
They are told to give thirsty people water to drink, Jesus even says that it's equivalent to giving him water - and I don't see any limitation on that at all. And also were the people in Nazi Germany who hid Jews in their homes, even though it was a crime, sinners as well?
Behold another witness for Jeezus
Are the border jumpers fleeing death camps? Please post links telling us about the gas chambers and ovens in Mexico's death camps.
You have some nerve comparing Jews fleeing the Holocaust to criminals who break our laws just to make more money than they can make by staying home instead of becoming criminals. That is about the most anti-Semitic comment I’ve ever seen on FR.
It’s disgusting.
Comments like that have no place in a civil society.
I want to volunteer to assist these nutbags and lead the illegal aliens straight to Sheriff Joe!
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