Posted on 04/07/2005 5:32:55 AM PDT by Kokojmudd
Illegal entrant taped holding 'caught' T-shirt By Michael Marizco ARIZONA DAILY STAR
PALOMINAS - Cochise County officials said they are investigating two Minuteman volunteers after an illegal entrant complained Wednesday to authorities that he was held against his will.
One of the men paid the illegal entrant $20 and gave him a T-shirt to hold up while he filmed the encounter. The T-shirt read: "Bryan Barton Caught an Illegal Alien and all I got was this T-shirt," said Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff's Department.
It's the first encounter where an illegal entrant has filed a complaint against Minuteman Project volunteers since the monthlong controversial protest started Friday. Volunteers have gathered in Southern Arizona to protest what they said is the federal government's inability to control the border.
Critics said the encounter is the first sign that the Minuteman Project is a "sham" meant to humiliate illegal entrants.
The incident started Wednesday afternoon when Barton, 24, and a second Minuteman volunteer encountered the illegal entrant on Arizona 92 near Palominas, Capas said.
Barton said he gave the man the T-shirt and $20 plus food and water. Then he filmed the man holding up the T-shirt.
The volunteers then called the Border Patrol, which sent agents to pick up the entrant. Once in custody, the entrant complained about being held by the volunteers.
"It was supposed to be funny," Barton said about the encounter.
Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever didn't think so.
"We have no time or patience for anyone attempting to turn this situation into a three-ring circus," he said.
The Cochise County Attorney's Office is also investigating the complaint.
Barton, who is running for Congress in San Diego on the Republican ticket, said he's not worried about charges being filed and that he never held the man against his will.
He said deputies seized the video for evidence. No arrests have been made in the incident.
"This shows what we've been saying all along," said Jennifer Allen, director of the Border Action Network.
"It was nothing but a media sham to mislead the public," she said. "Clearly they misrepresented the situation. They misrepresented themselves."
Minuteman Project organizers Chris Simcox and James Gilchrist could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
● Contact Michael Marizco at 573-4213 or mmarizco@azstarnet.com.
How stupid is that?
Huh?? Isn't an "illegal entrant" an unauthorized invader? Hey, and maybe he was even a terrorist?
The MM should have stuck a pair of women's underwear on the guys head and kicked his @ss back over the border.
As for the Cochise County officials -- are they employed by the Mexican government, OR Arizona?
And? Do you have a problem with keeping criminals out of our country?
"And how does this fit with your call for murder?"
Murder is your word, not mine - which now makes you a liar as well.
You advocate increasing the quota of H2B visas to 7-8 million?
And Benji-Boy -- who's your "daddy"?
Isn't it Vicente Fox?
Quite frankly, I'm surprised you have time to post at FR -- what with you scampering around with your apron and serving tray furnishing kool-ade to thirsty on-the-go Mexicans as they dodge the BP and MM.
How do illegals vote? Do you advocate for rampant illegality and a lack of control of the borders so long as the law breakers vote for your favored party?
I am NOT advocating the shoot-em' on site position....
What I mean is that we post warnings on the border, if the Border Patrol sees someone crossing, call out to stop and present I.D., if they refuse, shoot to kill.
It didn't take much to figure that one out. :)
Do you support Tancredo's Guest Worker legislation?
>>It's scary to come across people that talk like you, yet appear to lack the cognitive skills to appreciate the ramifications of their comments.<<
You, Sir, are one of those people. You don't understand the ramifications of your tireless defense of the US invaders.
I guess making a buck is more important to you than protecting "your" country!
Screen out the criminals and it wouldn't be nearly that many.
Since you know so much about Tom's purposed legislation, that you would be so kind as to provide a link? This will do two things, 1: allow those of us who are busy to find said legislation an easy way to peruse it, and 2: prove that you know what the hell you are talking about.
Need I remind you that the business of this country IS business.
To the mortar with you.
Need we remind you, again, that the basis for our society is a respect for, and equal application of, the Law. One you advocate migrants break BTW.
And how does Odoso's call for murder fit in your equation?
I ain't your "mezcan", look it up yourself.
lol
Odoso refuted saying his post used the word "murder". Are you saying he lied?
How many illegals do you employ anyway? Must be a lot for you to be on every one of these threads defending a migrants "right" to trespass, commit fraud, identity theft, invasion, ect...
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