Posted on 09/25/2013 8:09:18 AM PDT by moonshinner_09
Random checkpoints across the valley by DPS have spooked a lot of drivers, especially those who may be living in the valley without proper documentation to be in the US.
"This is an issue of people's rights to move freely to get home, to their job, to be able to stay with their families if they are deported. It's an issue impacting a lot of people in a lot of different ways."
Communications Coordinator of La Union Del Pueblo Entero John Michael Torres has been fielding calls from concerned drivers that Border Patrol is at these checkpoints which pop up at any given time during the day and on any random state roadway.
"We don't know if Border Patrol is really picking people up that have not committed serious crimes
DPS administrators says this is not the case and the public is misinformed.
That could be blamed on several Facebook pages which have gained thousands of followers in just a few days which post checkpoint locations for concerned drivers so they can avoid the area.
We found one that included instructions on what to do if Border Patrol agents are indeed at a checkpoint.
Torres says LUPE is telling anyone who calls them to pick up one of these cards and have it handy just in case.
"If they are asking for your immigration status for no reason, give us a call, we want to know we want to take action on it."
DPS contends Border Patrol is not present at the regulatory checkpoints and say "The checkpoints will not be used to ascertain immigration status."
(Excerpt) Read more at valleycentral.com ...
these illegals do not want a nation of laws,they think should be allowed to drive without licenses,insurance and now intending to stage a protest over our laws.
Oh Yes they do.
Their laws. The laws of Mexico.
You're being invaded and taken over by a foreign populace.
What will you do about it?
Immigrants = illegal aliens to this poop brain.
What a waste of words and ink.
All she had to say is: "especially illegal aliens".
Related...Random checkpoints for driver licenses, insurance and registration are getting mixed reviews by Rio Grande Valley residents.
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) state troopers set up the checkpoints on rural state highways starting back in Sunday, September 15th.
Since that time state troopers have set up random checkpoints across the Valley.
State troopers have been checking passing motorists for driver licenses, insurance, vehicle safety and registration requirements.
But many Valley residents told Action 4 News that they oppose the checkpoints while others say they support them.
One person even created a Facebook page named “Alerta de Retenes 956” to share information about where the random checkpoints are set up.
The page, which was set up on Tuesday morning, already has more than 14,100 fans who post in both English and Spanish.
Another page named “Reportes de Retenes en 956” has more than 25,000 Facebook fans.
Attorney Speaks
The South Texas Civil Rights Project in Alamo has received numerous complaints and calls about the checkpoints from area residents.
No legal action has been taken against the checkpoints but McAllen-based immigration attorney Carlos M. Garcia who said they are already having a negative effect on parents and businesses.
Garcia said one local children’s therapy clinic reported that some parents cancelled appointments due to fear of driving through the checkpoints.
“I think they’re using them as an excuse to not only look for drug traffickers but to find other infractions,” Garcia said of the checkpoints.
The McAllen attorney said that the checkpoints allow authorities to skirt “profiling” because they stop everyone who passes through.
Garcia said the checkpoints have largely been placed on rural roads near colonias and poor neighborhoods where residents have few resources.
“I don’t see them setting up on North 10th Street,” the McAllen attorney said.
Viewer Support
But many Valley residents said they support the checkpoints because they crackdown on drivers with no licenses and no insurance.
“The only people complaining about this are the ones who refuse to pay for insurance or who don’t have a drivers license for a reason,” wrote Action 4 News viewer Katrina Gonzalez on Facebook.
Viewer John Cruz wrote on Facebook that he went through a checkpoint and it was just a quick check for a driver’s license and insurance.
“Those whining about this more than likely have no insurance nor drivers license, expired tags and basically driving illegal at law-biding insurance carriers cost,” Cruz wrote.
Viewer Enrique Amar supports the checkpoint and wrote on Facebook that he believe they are great idea.
“I have insurance on six vehicles,” Amar wrote. “If I’m involved in an accident the other party is protected. I would expect nothing less from anyone else. They need to be consistent and keep this program going.”
Viewer Opposition
But many Valley residents expressed concern about the legality of the checkpoints and whether or not state troopers whether or not they were being used to unfairly target illegal immigrants.
Viewer Isaac Ramirez quoted former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson on Facebook about the checkpoints.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one,” wrote Ramirez.
Viewer Virginia Flores Lopez said the checkpoints unfairly target poor people.
“They are cracking down on poor people,” she wrote on Facebook. “No insurance. Your car gets impounded. When you are poor, insurance is something you wish to have!”
Viewer Jeremiah D. Lopez said he believes the checkpoints are setting a dangerous precedent.
“This is just like Nazi Germany before the war,” Lopez wrote on Facebook. “And all of you people are gladly giving up your rights.”
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=950851
And why should they not?
It’s amazing the shallowness of a liberal education...they have not even learned the meaning of “illegal”.
But yet, they want to make virtually everything about guns (the ultimate machine for gaining the attention of a liberal) illegal.
While I am not a big fan of illegal immigration, I am less a fan of checkpoints. There is no reason anyone, legal or illegal, should have to submit to random, illegal searches or interrogation.
Unless you are at a border crossing , “Your papers, please” or, more properly, “Papiere, Bitte” does not belong in a free country’s lexicon.
Unfairly? They are law breakers. Simple. If they don't want to get pinched all they need to do is get a license and insurance.
“They are cracking down on poor people,” she wrote on Facebook. “No insurance. Your car gets impounded. When you are poor, insurance is something you wish to have!”
Wrong again Pedro. Insurance is a requirement in order to register a vehicle. Not a luxury. A requirement. It has nothing to do with whether one is poor or rich. Again, more law breaking.
The Feds and police already know exactly where the illegal aliens are. If they don't they just need to stake out the local welfare office and emergency rooms.
What about DUI checkpoints? Do you oppose those also?
“This is an issue of people’s rights to move freely to get home, to their job, to be able to stay with their families if they are deported
Rights are for CITIZENS.
All CRIMINALS give up certain rights.
I don’t see an issue here......
If they can catch a few illegals and send them back, then more power to them.
Viewer Isaac Ramirez quoted former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson on Facebook about the checkpoints.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one,” wrote Ramirez.
While I can find listings for this quote under Jefferson, there is no attribution of when he said it. A very similar quote was written by Ben Franklin in a letter to Josiah Quincy in 1773. The style seems more Franklin than Jefferson.
All blanket checkpoints/searches/wiretaps are unconstitutional but who cares about that old yellow paper, right? It's a different time now so let government do what it needs to make us feel safe...
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Great!! I’ve found a fellow traveler! But, I’m about tired of being called a drunk, murdering, baby killing psycho so how about you take up the cause for a while? I’m sure the nanny state’ers will be along shortly to participate in the 2 minutes of hate. Good luck...
I oppose ALL checkpoints. Regardless of the SCOTUS, they are all unconstitutional.
In California, whenever drunken driving, license/registration checkpoints are put up by the California highway patrol, the Mexicans will hold up signs 1/2 mile away and broadcast the location on Spanish radio so drunken, illegal aliens without registration or licenses can continue driving on California’s highways and freeways. — of course they claim the checkpoints are raccisssttt and discriminatory agains them specifically.
They want the right to drive without having to license themselves carry mandatory insurance or register their cars —like I have to.
A couple of years ago I had to pick up my son after school and only grabbed my car keys — sure enough I got pulled over by a cop who thought I wasn’t wearing a seat belt (always always do) — Apparently, my insurance, registration and license didn’t come up on his computer so I had to go to court and show a judge that I was legally licensed and insured and my car properly registered — I lost a day of work to do this.
Illegal aliens? Let go — BUT, LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck — whom we call “politically correct Beck” lost yesterday in court — he is pro-illegal and refused to tow illegals cars when they were stopped and unlicensed/registered, no insurance, etc.
Woe be to anyone in California, Nevada, Texas or Arizona who doesn’t carry uninsured motorist.
Are they doing body cavity searches?
Another Hispanic Ku Klux Klan hate group whining about Criminal Illegal Aliens. Quick...call La Raza Rubio
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.