Posted on 07/30/2004 3:19:38 PM PDT by NewRomeTacitus
This week one of the most startling items to appear in my inbox was an article called, "Breaking the Silence Over a Possible Imminent Threat." The article appeared in "Pravda.RU", the English website of the famous Russian publication. It was about the ceaseless flow of illegal immigrants over Mexico's border into Arizona and the threat that this poses to American security.
The source of the story was a small town newspaper in south eastern Arizona called the "Tombstone Tumbleweed." The paper is owned and published by Chris Simcox, a former school teacher who has taken time off from his teaching career to "make a difference."
The article presented the startling information that the border area known as the Naco Strip has become "a primary route of illegal entry by significant numbers of Arabic-speaking males." The article went on to say, "The porous frontier... is beginning to look a lot like the left lane on a European Autobahn. It doesn't take a master spy to conclude that we may be seeing a large-scale influx of al Qaeda terrorists into the country."
Like many Americans living near the border, Simcox is simply fed up with the apparent ease with which this flow of humanity goes on, unabated, trashing the countryside, polluting the local environment, and putting an enormous economic burden on the communities of the southeastern United States.
According to Simcox, the trail of debris and human excrement is so catastrophic that it can actually be seen from the air. The additional knowledge that many of these illegal border crossers may be terrorists is more than just troubling, it is downright alarming.
Intrigued by the Pravda article, I called Chris Simcox to learn more and we spoke at length. He is an American patriot with a huge store of plain old common sense and a passion for doing the right thing. He is also a repository for a wealth of information about the problem of illegal immigration.
He told me that between October 1, 2003 and July 15, 2004 over 420,000 illegal immigrants have been caught crossing the 2,000 mile border between Mexico and the United States. Over 5,500 of those arrested have been designated OTMs ('Other Than Mexicans' or non-Hispanics) by US Border Patrol agents. The agents refuse to reveal how many of the OTMs apprehended come from terrorist supporting countries, but the number is thought to be considerable.
The official position is that the number of illegals from the Middle East is extremely small. But one agent gave the Tombstone Tumbleweed a striking example of what is really happening along the border. He said that six weeks earlier, agents came upon a group of 158 illegal border crossers. Only 71 of these illegals were caught, including 53 men of Middle Eastern origin, whose English was limited and who conversed among themselves in Arabic. The agent suggested they were probably from Syria or Iran (both on America's list of terror-supporting countries).
Later that month, another group of 24 Arabic-speaking men were apprehended, while at least the same number of their comrades escaped into the countryside on the American side of the border.
It is not clear whether the reluctance of the government to more clearly define the nationalities of the OTMs is because, as they claim, our national security requires it or rather because it is 'politically correct' to do so. The deeper problem lies in the fact that the Border Patrol stops less than one third of the illegal immigrants who cross the border. That means that at least 1.2 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border from Mexico in the last nine and a half months, an average of 4,166 every day. Of these, more than 16,000 have been OTMs, a number which includes an apparently significant number of Arabic-speaking men.
Why are large numbers of men from Middle Eastern countries entering the US illegally from Mexico? Why are their numbers being blurred and minimized by officials? And what does it mean for America's national security?
The possibility that potential terrorists are pouring into the country through our insecure borders is one that raises reasonable concern. Our preoccupation with political correctness that drives us to welcome these 'refugees' and give them a chance to realize the 'American dream,' is being taken to its illogical extreme, and is putting us at grave risk.
We are, as I have mentioned before, at war. The possibility that large numbers of men from Middle Eastern countries enter the country illegally and then disappear among us, perhaps to be given new (false) identities and join the sleeper cells that already exist in our communities, should make us more than a little uneasy.
While the world continues to condemn Israel's security fence, the United States would do well to move forward to build such a fence along our own porous and dangerous borders. Where secure fences already exist, entrance by illegals has been dramatically reduced. But they cover only limited lengths of a very long border.
The seriousness of the problem goes far beyond the high cost and inconvenience of illegal immigration from migrant workers and drug runners. That there is an alarmingly high level of traffic comprised of Middle Eastern men should send warning signals to the highest levels of our government and prompt an immediate and highly visible response.
America is vulnerable at many levels. When political correctness conflicts with national interest, we need to rethink our social strategy. A strong response to those who would use our own systems against us is the best chance we have at maintaining our national security and ensuring a safer future in the face of the continuing threat.
Ilana Freedman is a specialist in counterterrorism and Managing Partner of Gerard Group International in Tyngsborough. She welcomes your comments at ilana@gerardgroup.com.
and politicians won't even touch the subject.
Democrats want nothing more than to see Republicans go negative on immigrants. It is a death sentence for conservatives. Hispanics are naturally conservative, compasionate, and have strong family values. They should be and could be our strongest base. If the GOP has to focus on something, it is the threat of terrorism. That is what they are doing. Pick your battles wisely friends.
But it isn't & probably won't be in any of our lifetime. I want MY borders secured TODAY & many Hispanics want that safety net also.
Hispanics may be compassionate and have strong family values, but then so do most races and ethnicities around the world.
If turning a blind eye to illegal immigration is truly the price of winning the Hispanic vote, it sure as hell isn't worth it.
That's right. Secure our borders from criminals, reform INS (or whatever it's called now) and let good people who are here, live and be able to achieve their American dream.
I think this should be southeastern Arizona.
The official position is that the number of illegals from the Middle East is extremely small....
That's a relief.< /sarcasm>
We've seen what 19 can do.
It isn't a matter of turning blind eye. It is a metter of treating people respectfully. It is a simple Christianity.
Immigrants are one thing; illegal aliens are quite another!
And don't confuse the two!
It depends --- legal immigrants who come in to get on government programs --- and very many do --- elderly immigrants who will never work a day in their life here but will get SSDI, Medicaid and much more are worse then less expensive illegals. Women who come over to give birth so they can stay and live off government programs may actually enter the country legally by getting a visitor visa, stay until they give birth and collect welfare handouts from then on --- technically they were legal.
I think the laxity has gone on for so long that the ball's in the terrorists' court, so to speak. God help us all.
You couldn't be any farther from the truth.
Prostitution is legal in Mexico and many other Latin American countries. What kind of family values is that?
The Catholic Church fell all over itself storming the gates of the U.S. Naval base in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
How many houses of prostitution has the Catholic Church forced to close in Mexico?
Mexican immigrants lead the Nation in welfare use.
Mexican teenage girls lead the Nation in having children out of wedlock.
Please read: The Immigrant Gang Plague!
Gang crime is exploding nationally -rising 50 percent from 1999 to 2002 -driven by the march of Hispanic immigration east and north across the country.
These Hispanics causing a 50% increase in gang crime are about as Conservative as 'Ice T".
You're dreaming right along with Bush and Rove.
Wake up before it's too late.
"Democrats want nothing more than to see Republicans go negative on immigrants"
Your comment includes two generalizations that cause problems.
All or almost all of the "good" guys in the immigration field want to end illegal immigration. Many (FAIR, Tancredo, etc.) want to further limit legal immigration as well.
And, there are some who are truly opposed to the immigrants themselves. But, most want to end the scam of illegal immigration and are not into "immigrant-bashing."
So, it's important to use the correct words here, and immediately take action against newspapers, etc. that attempt to smear through the incorrect words.
So, Republicans should make it clear that they aren't opposed to immigrants or immigration. While the Dems (and the mainstream press) would attempt to portray that as "anti-immigrant," a series of letters and statements would show them to be lying.
I believe you asked for my thoughts:
(#12 is new, #3/4 are revised)
(COPY AND DISTRIBUTE WIDELY. Revise and extend as you see fit. Start a movement, print a petition, start a political party, confront your legislators, write letters, post posters, drop leaflets. Demand, demand, demand…)
19 POINT ACTION PLAN: Border Violators
1) Close all US borders to illegal entry forthwith by any and all means possible, including military presence.
2) Maintain legitimate immigration levels at modest annual level with requirements that immigrants be employable or sufficiently wealthy for self-support if they do not intend to work, proficient in basic English and willing to be assimilated into American culture and language. All applicants shall provide prints, photos and DNA samples.
3) Legal immigration shall be awarded only to those of Christian and Jewish faith, wherein all countries are given equal status in the immigration lottery, without regards to color or economic plight of originating nation. Christians and Jews from muslim countries fleeing religious persecution shall receive preferential and accelerated immigration status.
4) Individuals of Islamic faith (muslims) from any country shall be denied immigration privileges or entry into the US.
5) Detain all border violators, taking photos, prints and DNA samples of said violator while at the same time, checking for out standing warrants. If no warrants are outstanding, return border violators to home country within 20 days via commercial airline and submit cost of such action, including processing and housing costs for said violator, to country of origin. If costs are not paid within 30 days, reduce any and all aid to said country by a like amount.
6) Should any country from which a border violator originates not currently receive any aid from the US, the Justice Department shall be authorized to seize or secure liens on assets owned, managed or registered to that country to the full extent of the obligation.
7) Establish new Guest Worker Visa (GWV) category, renewable every six (6) months, for unskilled labor positions wherein all applicants shall provide prints, photos and DNA samples. Work permitted of such applicants shall be limited to one of several categories, including childcare, lawn/gardening, restaurant staff, cleaning, and the like. Families of GWV workers are not permitted to enter US, nor will the birth of a child in the U.S. to one of GWV status confer citizenship to either parent or child.
8) Any violation of civil or criminal laws shall result in the forfeiture of the GWV and immediate return to originating country.
9) GWV holders shall be prohibited from claiming unemployment benefits, welfare support or free medical service.
10) The originating country of all GWV holders shall be responsible for any loss caused by their citizens, including emergency medical claims and claims resulting from illegal acts committed while in the US.
11) Companies that hire GWV holders shall submit to the Immigration Dept the name and GWV number of that individual, along with a description of employment tasks. Companies that fail to report employment of GWV workers, or hire border violators, shall be subject to fines and penalties.
12) GWV workers shall not receive unemployment compensation but shall be subject to an alternate tax equivalent to the current unemployment tax rate, which shall be withheld and be applied to border patrol activities. GWV workers shall be paid with check, having income tax withheld.
13) Border violators, or any non-citizen not possessing a valid visa, detained by local police for any reason shall be turned over to border control officials for immediate deportation action, except if they face criminal charges in other jurisdictions.
14) Border violators and GWV workers shall be prohibited from voting in local, state and federal elections.
15) Border Violators shall NOT be afforded the rights enjoyed by American citizens, as guaranteed under the constitution.
16) Public education (at institutions supported by taxpayer dollars) at any level (pre-school, kindergarten through the university level,) shall NOT be available to Border Violators (or children of Border Violators) and schools that enroll such individuals shall be subject to penalties.
17) Foreign Students (F/S) (individuals admitted to the U.S. for the purpose of attending any educational facility,) private institution or public (i.e. supported by taxpayer dollars,) must have valid student visas, such visas being in force only if the F/S attends school full-time. F/S shall be required to pay tuition, housing and related costs such that all their educational costs are fully reimbursed to the institution attended. The originating country shall pay for any and all loss caused by students while on U.S. soil.
18) Border Violators seeking emergency medical treatment shall provide pictures, fingerprints and DNA samples along with country of origin, and shall be treated then incarcerated until information provided can be verified. Originating country shall bear the costs of medical treatment and confinement.
19) Children born in the U.S. to border violators, illegal aliens or of foreign nationals in the U.S. for any reason (including temporary visitor, school or work visas,) shall not be eligible for citizenship as circumstances of birth, nor shall the parents or parent’s family members (relatives) be conferred U.S. citizenship as a result of such births.
20) (developing)
OK, I confess-- my first reaction to your 19 points was ridicule and cat-calls, but there's too many people on that side already and I prefer the solution side. The US has had the luxury of thousands of miles of unapproved borders for centuries. It's been good while it's lasted but times are changing. I'd vote in favor for almost all of your points. The only change I'd recommend is focusing on secure borders and saving the religious orthodoxy for some other time-- but that still leaves 17 out of 19.
The next step is a lot harder-- how much of our money are we willing to spend? Maybe we can use money we cut from NPR and Nat. Endowment for the Arts, and I'd even vote for diverting money from Social Security and Farm Subsidies, but that's about it. Nobody's proven to me yet that we want to actually raise taxes.
Bottom line-- congratulations, you get the 'Solution of the Week' Award.
I hit the wrong button--I did not mean to report any abuse--I don't even understand how it works. Please disregard--Mods...
What I was starting to suggest--we need to enforce the laws against the lawbreaking employers (US) rather than go after the illegals themselves.
We know it, and Republicans from Reagan to GWB know it. This being a hot button issue it's gotten really hard to stay focused around here.
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