Posted on 07/16/2005 1:40:19 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
A Durango woman working for a humanitarian organization on the U.S.-Mexico border was arrested July 9 in Arizona after U.S. Border Patrol agents identified three illegal immigrants in her sedan.
Skinny's Grill and landscaping employee Shanti Sellz was working with the organization No More Deaths, which provides food, water and medical assistance to immigrants crossing the border.
Colorado College graduate Daniel Strauss and the three migrants also were detained. Two of the individuals were returned to Mexico. The third is being held as a material witness in the case.
Sellz and Strauss face a preliminary hearing in Tucson, Ariz., on Monday.
They will face felony charges of aiding and abetting in furtherance of illegal entrance into the United States. The pair also will face misdemeanor obstruction of justice charges.
Sellz's attorney, Bill Walker, has advised her not to publicly discuss the details of the July 9 incident.
On Friday, she did discuss the general operations of No More Deaths, which gives food, water and medical supplies to crossing migrants.
"I can't believe that any government system would prosecute humanitarian workers," said Sellz, "but both Daniel and I feel strongly about what we are doing and don't intend to stop this work."
Sellz said she was surprised to be arrested for providing humanitarian aid in accordance with pre-approved protocol.
"We have been doing this for years and the Border Patrol has approved it," she said. "A medical person and legal person are always called before any evacuation."
Tucson Border Patrol public information officer Andrea Zortman said that the Border Patrol did not approve such protocol and that the pair violated federal regulations.
"Giving food and water is not against the law," said Zortman, "but transporting illegal aliens is."
Border Patrol paramedics determined that the three illegal aliens were not in medical distress, Zortman said.
Sellz said there is a large migrant population in Durango, and it is important to bring attention to how they arrive in Southwest Colorado.
"People put themselves in very difficult situations to work in construction or restaurants in Durango," she said.
"It's a desperate decision to come here. There is a misconception that people want to come sharing the American dream. Based on the people that I have met, that is not what is going on. It is more 'Do I watch my family starve to death right before my eyes or come to America to come to make a living …' These are economic refugees."
Sellz and Strauss were spending the summer at a No More Deaths humanitarian camp along the
Mexican border south of Tucson.
It was her second summer working with the organization, she said.
Sellz relayed stories of migrants crossing in 100-degree heat. She said those who move slowly are left behind in the desert by hired border guides. Sometimes the organization finds individuals who have gone without water for two or three days, she said.
A Christian organization affiliated with No More Deaths runs a similar camp on the other side of the U.S.-Mexican border.
The camp is No More Deaths' sole facility, and was strategically placed at one of the highest traffic areas, Sellz said.
No More Deaths has called for an apology from the Border Patrol, said full-time organization volunteer John Matthew.
He said the organization's protocol was approved by previous Sector Chief Dave Aguilar, who is now chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, but that current Sector Chief Michael Nicley is taking a harder line.
Zortman denies that Aguilar's policies differed from Nicley, who has held the job since March.
As she prepared for her Monday hearing, Sellz stood by her work with No More Deaths: "I believe strongly in what I've done, I have no second thoughts, and I am not going to stop if that means I go to jail. I'm not backing down at all. And I will continue with the work even after this is all over."
Reach Herald Intern Abe Handler here .
He said the organization's protocol was approved by previous Sector Chief Dave Aguilar, who is now chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, but that current Sector Chief Michael Nicley is taking a harder line."
Verry interesting!
Hmmm.. Useful idiot, or enemy within?
"Skinnys Grill and Landscaping"?????
I don't even want to think about the employee rotation schedule.
2 immigrant aid workers say fellow detainees lived in filth
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1442531/posts
She and her nit-wit friends are the ones I'd be watching if I were the police. She and he fellow mental cases are aiding people committing a crime.
If illegals don't want to face death in the desert, they shouldn't go out into the desert.
This has been posted at least 5 times now.....
Didn't see it on my search! Same title?
Search is pathetic.
(In fact, title only search is pretty pointless). FR really needs to replace this facility somehow.
Google found it easier.
Just googled and found the article I posted but nothing on FR??
Lock these criminals up in a Mexican jail. A US jail is too good for these criminals.
"Hey Luis! As soon as you finish spreading the duck manure - get behind the grill and crank up some cheeseburgeres! We're swamped!"
LOL, what pre approved protocol? The only pre approved protocol you need to be concerned with is United States Code.
"Giving food and water is not against the law," said Zortman, "but transporting illegal aliens is."
Poor law breakers...they only needed a time-out at her luxurious townhome w/ swimming pool. She was gonna just hurry them right back to the border...
With this crowd you get a 2fer1 special .
Actually, information about this incident has been posted multiple times, but this article brings new information.
Last week, it looked like the pair was going to receive a simple slap on the wrist after negotiating a plea agreement. Now it looks like that may not be the case.
Also new in this article is the information regarding a change in emphasis on Border Patrol policies regarding the transportation of illegals. In fact, Aguilar did have his folks bust those who transport illegals. It's possible, though, that he didn't agressively pursue the No More Deaths people...or that John Matthew is making uninformed statements.
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
Ops, sorry about the title - I thought it read:
BORDER PATROL ARRESTS WOMAN DRIVING A DURANGO
Anyon we used to know?
Careful...I've considered buying a Durango! ;^)
This young woman is flirting with jail time...depends on how today's hearing goes.
Hey, it's only forecast to be 105* in Tucson today. How are you doing vis-a-vis the heat?
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