Posted on 06/09/2005 8:29:07 PM PDT by TheOtherOne
Humanitarian Groups Say Border Patrol Surveillance Hampering Efforts to Help Distressed Migrants
Published: Jun 9, 2005 TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Humanitarian groups setting up emergency camps in the desert to try to save some of the illegal immigrants who die trying to cross the border said Thursday that Border Patrol surveillance will hinder their efforts.
Churches and humanitarian groups have set up camps dubbed "Arks of the Covenant" - one in Arizona and one in northern Sonora, Mexico - to provide food, water and medical help to immigrants who otherwise might die in the desert's summer heat.
But the Rev. John Fife of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson said stricter Border Patrol surveillance will stop immigrants from seeking help because many immigrants will not enter a camp if they see a Border Patrol agent parked nearby.
The Border Patrol has increased patrols and agents recently, especially in California and Texas, making Arizona the busiest point along the Mexican border for illegal crossers.
Michael Nicley, who took over as interim chief of the Border Patrol's Tucson sector last August, said he has told officials that "there are no free zones in the Tucson sector. There is not an avenue of ingress where Border Patrol agents do not patrol."
He added that he had "no interest in keeping them from providing humanitarian aid. Quite the contrary."
He said people who need help "time and time again" seek out Border Patrol agents and the presence of an agent within shouting distance is the quickest way to get an immigrant emergency medical care.
The Border Patrol said 172 migrant deaths in Arizona last fiscal year, while critics said at least 221 people died, many because of heat as summer temperatures in the desert rose up to 110 degrees.
The camps are part of a larger campaign by a coalition of human rights groups and churches called No More Deaths. The group is trying to draw attention to what it says is flawed immigration policy and urge reform.
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On the Net:
No More Deaths: www.nomoredeaths.org
Border Patrol: www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/enforcement/
AP-ES-06-09-05 2230EDT
I suspect that ths Presbyterian minister hasn't read Romans in awhile-specifically chapter 13.
Gee, do you think their efforts will be hindered because there will be fewer illegals trying to cross because they know the border patrol has been increased.
FGS
They have one aid station in Arizona and one in Sonora. They'd be just as well off closing the one in Arizona...
This crap just drives me nutz.
So now the BP isn't providing quick enough rescue service?
Bovine Dung !
I just read a story where Illegals are using cell phones to call BP Rescue helicopters to come to the rescue--when they're tired of walking, thirsty and need some lemonade, or whatever.
I ask the question before and I'll ask again, HOW MANY times has the US Border Patrol crossed over into MEXICO to rescue MEXICANS and then bring them into the USA ????
And HOW FAR into MEXICO have they gone for such rescues????
I'd love to know if that has happened myself.
If you go by published reports, the BP has not gone into Mexico to rescue people. The US has provided medical care to folks who come through the POE...I take that back, in at least one extroardinary incident several years ago, there was a two-bus collision just south of the border where ambulances were dispatched from Nogales, I believe, to bring victims north for treatment.
That kind of humanitarian aid has been rendered, but not on an individual basis that I'm aware of.
Those "humanitarians" would better expended their effort convincing illegal aliens not to try crossing the desert.
Agreed, 100%. Even better if the government of Mexico did so. We know they can do it...they did it in April with Grupo Beta...
And HOW FAR into MEXICO have they gone for such rescues????
US Border Patrol Agents never intentionally cross into Mexico. If they did Mexican authorities regardless of their intentions would quickly arrest them. Once an agent crosses that border he leaves all his authority and constitutional rights behind.
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
Why stop at Mexico? There is more land south. Let's take Kuba too!
The battle for Cuba is coming. When old man Castro finally kicks the bucket, the Cubans in Miami are gonna want their country back. Whether they and the modern day Cubans will get along remains to be seen.
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