A Roadblock, Not a Barrier for Migrants

Los Angeles Times ^ | April 4, 2005 | David Kelly

[atomic_dog]

LA MORITA, Mexico — Sergio Cruz almost made it. He had walked five days through the desert, was robbed at gunpoint, abandoned by his guide and now was within 20 yards of the border.

That's when he saw the line of trucks and sport utility vehicles flying American flags just over the barbed-wire fence separating Mexico from the U.S. Frustrated, he and nine other travelers lay quietly in a ditch along the railroad tracks hoping the men would go away. Early Sunday, Enrique Enriquez stumbled across the migrants and broke the news.

"Did anyone tell you about the Minutemen?" Enriquez, a member of Grupo Beta, Mexico's agency dedicated to protecting the health of migrants, asked the ragged group. "They are hunting for guys just like you. You couldn't get across now if you were sitting on George Bush's lap…. You cannot cross here — wait a month or choose another place."

Enriquez had been patrolling La Morita, a desolate border region, all morning. His mission was to intercept people heading north and warn them about the Minuteman Project, an effort by hundreds of American volunteers to track and report illegal immigrants coming into southeastern Arizona.

The migrants frowned.

"I would like to tell those people that we are not criminals," said 22-year-old Cruz. "We came to pick crops. Our records are clean. We are not selling drugs, we only want to work. Who will pick the crops if we don't?"

[atomic_dog]

"I would like to tell those people that we are not criminals,"

And I would like to tell you people that you are criminals: U.S. Code Title 8, Section 1325 Improper entry by alien.

Your friends here in the Open Borders/Cheap Labor Club like to muddy the issue by playing the race card. But the fact is America has had entry controls on aliens since before 1828.

WE ARE NOT A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS! WE ARE A NATION OF LEGAL IMMIGRANTS!

You are criminals when you come here.

Maybe we should send a force south to overthrow the Mexican Government. We could always excuse oursleves by saying, "But we're just doing the work Mexicans won't do."

[RippleFire]

Although only about 200 activists have shown up, their efforts have already had a dramatic, if perhaps short-term effect.

This vast desert border just west of Douglas, Ariz., is the busiest illegal crossing point in the nation. Enriquez said more than 400 people a day walk these harsh trails. But news of the Minutemen's arrival, combined with media hype in Mexico, has cut the traffic to a few dozen a day.

Good start

[truthkeeper]

If I were more computer saavy I'd post the picture of the world's smallest violin here.

Another sanity bump.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

I've heard it said again and again on this forum that when the next big terror attack hits the CONUS and it comes from over the border, as it will, then it will be time to impeach the president.

I'm thinking, the time to impeach him is BEFORE we are nuked.

The problem is, we will have to impeach everyone down to the village dogcatcher before we can get someone who is serious.

[appalachian_dweller]

Ping.

[ikka]

"Did anyone tell you about the Minutemen?" Enriquez, a member of Grupo Beta, Mexico's agency dedicated to protecting the health of migrants, asked the ragged group.

If this guy crosses into the USA at any point, he should be held as an enemy of the USA.

[Calpernia]

bumping the Minutemen!

[Sterco]

"Did anyone tell you about the Minutemen?" Enriquez, a member of Grupo Beta, Mexico's agency dedicated to protecting the health of migrants, asked the ragged group.

Maybe it is time to tell em about Minutemen II and III.....I don't think it will stop there or then. I am still awaiting news from the press. Should it not come out I will have serious doubts as to our "free press".

[nw_arizona_granny]

Mark Edwards from KDWN radio in Las Vegas was in Tombstone for the weekend.

He will be on air from 10 pm to midnight (Pacific time), you can listen on air at:

http://wakeupamericafoundation.com

[MineralMan]

Well, I don't know if this is the world's smallest violin, but it's gotta be pretty close:

[ApplegateRanch]

"My dream is to some day have my own business, but I must save my money for that," he said. "I would like to have a wife and children and a stable job, but I don't know if that is possible in Mexico. I can't get any money here. I see this dream as not happening."

Maybe, Senor, if you saved your money, instead of paying thou$and$ of dollar$ -NOT peso$- to coyotes to sneak in illegally, you would have the money for your 'dream'.

[freeangel]

"who will pick the crops if we don't"

Uh, try the othr eighty gazillion illegals that got here before you.

[HiJinx]

more than 400 people a day walk these harsh trails

Bald-faced lie. The Border Patrol apprehends in excess of 1500 per day in the Tucson sector alone.

Apprehends.

That number includes multiple efforts by individuals, but trying to say that only 400 per day try to cross is still a lie.

[Travis McGee]

The Border Patrol only catches 20% of those crossing on any given day. That is the most optimistic estimate.

Then, under the official "Catch and Release" policy, these captured illegals are given a meal, medical treatment if needed, a short rest, and a ride back to the nearest border crossing, where they can try again and again.

A 20% capture rate means that an unlucky illegal has a cumulative 96% chance of making it after two attempts, and if he is really unlucky, a 99% chance after 3 tries. (20% X 20% X 20%)

In effect, the USBP doesn't stop anybody. They don't go home to Chiapas or Jalisco. The folks it catches today, make it across tomorrow.

That is why even the official Mexican government "HOW TO SNEAK INTO AMERICA" guide says, "don't run from the Border Patrol. They will just return you to the border for another try a few hours later."

U.S. Constitution Article 4 Section 4:

"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,

and shall protect each of them against Invasion;"

[Serenissima Venezia]

Maybe it is time to tell em about Minutemen II and III

I'm hoping we'll have Minutemen in California next. I'll join them as a Minutemom!

[Iron Matron]

Maybe we should send a force south to overthrow the Mexican Government. We could always excuse oursleves by saying, "But we're just doing the work Mexicans won't do."

Quite a statement actually, but perhaps Mexicans need to address this themselves, with our help.

Since Mexicans "risk their lives" to come to the USA for a better life, would it not be better to risk their lives bringing down the corruption within their own government?

I would gladly fund efforts to raise Mexico up rather than have them over here bringing our Country down.

[Calpernia]

Thanks for the link.

[Sterco]

Been talking to my cousin in Chula Vista. He is going to get something going around there. Knows a lot of people. I think this thing is gonna take off.

[Sterco]

Then, under the official "Catch and Release" policy, these captured illegals are given a meal, medical treatment if needed, a short rest, and a ride back to the nearest border crossing, where they can try again and again.

I think maybe we haul em a little more to the south like a thousand miles plus and drop em off. In the long run if we use troop transports (retired) it would be money well spent. The word would get around in (mexican). Gonna be a long haul home if ya get caught. Record finger prints. Next time desert camp on the border (minimum one year). The Aussies know how it works. We can take lessons.