The Sierra Times has learned that Chris Simcox, founder of the Citizens Border Patrol, is preparing to take the border battle to the next level, including protests and a pledge to conduct citizens' arrest on businesses that hire illegal aliens. Simcox told The Sierra Times, "I have been in contact with Governor elect [Janet] Napolitano's office; we are attempting to schedule a meeting when we will petition her to recognize, sanction and give power to our groups as members of the state militia."
Napolitano, a newly elected Democrat, has recently criticized the activities of Simcox and others along Arizona's southern border, and has joined the call for hearings on the matter which are scheduled for January 6. Simcox is also asking for for funds with which to train new members of the Civil Homeland Defense.
"We are also applying for a grant to receive some of the $400,000 FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has allocated to Arizona for homeland security," said Simcox.
If Napolitano does not agree to a meeting, according to Simcox, a peaceful yet vocal protest is being planned during the swearing in ceremony for Napolitano on January 6. The ceremony will be held in Phoenix.
"We have told her that we will also begin a sweep of citizen's arrests on businesses that violate U.S. criminal codes involving hiring/harboring or transporting illegal aliens into this country," said Simcox.
Simcox warns law enforcement and businesses owners that they will also begin holding them accountable for criminal activities involving illegal employees.
US Code Title 8, section 1324a states "Any person who hires/harbors/transports any illegal alien, regardless of his knowledge of their immigration status, is guilty of a felony punishable by 10 years jail + $2000 fine per illegal alien + forfeiture of the vehicle or property used to commit the crime". Section 1324c states, "All officers whose duty it is to enforce criminal laws shall have authority to make arrests for a violation of any provision of this section" (affirmed US v Perez-Gonzalez 2002 Fed App 0360, 6th Circ.). Section 1644, same title states, "No local ordinance, rule, or measure shall stop law enforcement officers from enforcement of this section" (affirmed Southern District Court of NY, US v Rudy Guiliani,1996).
Any false ID shown to "prove" immigration status is a separate felony, anywhere in the United States. Simcox stated, "...Ask them for [identification], if none, make the arrest based upon 'information and belief' that they have entered the U.S. at other than an official Border crossing station. If they trespassed private property, that is yet another felony." Simcox also calls for full video coverage of events, even "video the video operator."
On Tuesday, the FEMA Region IX notified the governor's office that Arizona will receive a grant of nearly $400,000 to support the growth of Citizen Corps activities, including the formation of Citizen Corps Councils and the expansion of FEMA's Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) program, which trains individuals in emergency response skills. The funds are being provided through the fiscal year 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act For Further Recovery From and Response to Terrorist Attacks.
The Arizona Division of Emergency Management has been delivering the Citizen Corps message across the state and many Arizona communities are joining and expressing interest in the program," said FEMA Regional director Jeff Griffin. "This grant will give Arizona and its local communities a down payment on plans to have all citizens better prepared to respond to disasters of all kinds and to build a nation prepared."
In his 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush issued a call to all Americans to engage in volunteer service, and announced the creation of USA Freedom Corps to help individuals answer that call to service.
President Bush established the Citizen Corps initiative, a component of the USA Freedom Corps, to provide individuals with opportunities to volunteer in a range of homeland security measures within their communities.
Citizen Corps' mission is to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds by engaging individuals in emergency preparedness and response through education, training, and volunteer service. The Citizen Corps initiative includes programs administered by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services, as well as FEMA, which is also responsible for coordinating Citizen Corps nationwide.
FEMA is the federal agency that coordinates response efforts to federally declared disaster. The agency's 10 regional offices work directly with states to prepare for, prevent, respond to and recover from disaster. The agency's number one goal is to reduce loss of life and property. FEMA Region IX serves the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada, as well as the territories of American Samoa and Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.