Posted on 01/15/2004 1:06:08 PM PST by ClintonBeGone
A longtime critic of the U.S. Border Patrol in Holland is glad to hear that the local office is closing.
The Rev. Andres Fierro, who has been at odds with the Border Patrol for years, said he's not sorry to see the office go.
"I won't miss them," he said.
He said the agency harassed Hispanics in the community. "My problem with the Border Patrol is not the law, but has always been the application of the law, how they enforced it," he said. "It was profiling.
"Even though they refused to be accountable to the community, they did have an impact on a lot of the mood -- the feeling that this was equally your home, your place to belong. It was a negative impact, especially for Hispanics."
Deputy Chief Dan Hiebert, deputy chief of the Border Patrol office in Detroit, comfirmed plans to shut down the Holland office. He referred questions to Chief John Bates, who is out of the office until next week.
The federal agency has been working from a building at 304 Garden Ave., in an industrial park in Holland Township.
It is one of only a handful in the United States that is not located near an international border, and has been the source of controversy among some in the Hispanic community.
The office had been located in a high-profile location -- at Pine Avenue and West Seventh Street -- since 1993, but its building was razed about a year ago to make way for Holland Police Department's new $12 million headquarters.
Holland police Chief John Kruithoff said the closing had been rumored for some time, though he had not heard it officially.
When the Border Patrol moved to Holland Township in late 2002, the 4,000-square-foot facility was supposed to be temporary until a new one was built. It was renovated, with security features such as a holding cell. Federal officials said at the time the office would not close.
The office is responsible for 315 coastal miles of Lake Michigan. The government designated the territory as the functional equivalent of a border.
In 1998, Border Patrol officials met with local residents over concerns about treatment of migrant workers -- both legal and illegal.
With today's concerns about immigration and terrorism, Fierro -- the pastor at Crossroad Chapel -- said it makes more sense for the Border Patrol to be in Grand Rapids, which has an international airport.
"If their function is to attend to international dynamics, then OK," he said.
"The function of the Border Patrol has never been very clear. Is it to control the border? Or immigration enforcement? Or drug enforcement? Or is it customs? It's always been whatever is convenient for them."
U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, said he understood concerns of the Hispanic community, especially when the office was in downtown Holland.
"People would say, 'What in the world is a Border Patrol station doing in Holland, Michigan?' I think that was a pretty good question."
He said the agency can serve the area better from Grand Rapids, and noted that agents cover a wide territory. This is a way to consolidate operations, he said.
Nah. That's asking too much.
Certainly not, but the STATE of Michigan (not the body of water) IS being invaded by illegal Mex immigrants.
Like many other places.
Thats exactly my point. But I don't think the government is smart enough to do that.
As for the claim of "harrasment", the Rev. Fierro is not exactly a credible source. His efforts to undermine the presence of the border patrol in Holland go back a long time.
Of course, I would be branded as a "racist: if I spoke my mind.
Holland, and west michigan in general, are still THE conservative bastion in the increasingly liberal Great Lakes State.
Holland's a very nice city. The property values are appreciating and everyone I've met from the area seems very nice. Not all migrant farm workers and not all Mexicans are illegal aliens. The federal government provides them a H-2A visa to work.
Actually, it is--they come for emergency medical care. But none of the "deport all illegals RIGHT NOW" crowd seems to give a hoot.
There are places in many towns where sane folks will not eventure, even in the daylight...that are inhabited by 100% genuine Americans.
This may be to digress, but I go to the Upper Penninsula of Michigan from Canada often. At one time the big little local convenience store on Portage St, Sault Ste Marie, had signs also in Spanish. (I think about cashing checks). I hoped to be able to hear a little Espanol there, but no luck. Later, I inquired at the local happy hour bar as to why no more hispanic signs. They simply could not tell me.
Anyway, whether or not the cultural scene in this friendly little city would be improved is not known- perhaps it is as well. Nothing nasty though, but perhaps it is as well. Cheers
LOL good point. Unless you smell like burritto, they don't seem to notice.
I'm sure Harlem or Watts has a very high percentage of citizens. I wonder if some here would feel safer there than Holland Michigan?
Simply first class treatment at the Burns Clinic for liberal spouse at Petoskey, Michigan. Worth every dollar. Canadian OHIP also was billed, if not, one has to go it alone. War Memorial Hospital, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan absolutely wonderful to an old London lady who collapsed at the Brimley Casino, agw was about 93 years old,she from Canada. They are to be paid in full.
Lets not forget the legal AND Illegal Al-Qaeda supporting bedsheet wearers of East Dearborn.
Dearborn man charged with conspiracy to provide material support to Hezbollah
Trying to pick up law breakers, you idiot. Would to God every town in America had the same kind of patrol, and would to God they were allowed to follow the law and do their duty.
Most preachers should be jailed for treason.
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