Posted on 07/21/2005 12:41:41 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
The nation's top immigration enforcement official on Wednesday praised the work of citizen patrols along the U.S-Mexican border and said his agency is looking at creating a volunteer reserve program to help beef up security.
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner said his initial concerns about possible vigilantism by citizen patrol groups have been eased by the volunteers' conduct.
"We welcome the eyes and ears of citizens who help us gain control of our borders, especially when they do so in a peaceful way," Bonner said during a visit to the Port of Los Angeles. "I applaud the fact that the organization of the Minutemen acted responsibly and didn't take the law into their own hands."
Bonner's statements represent a distinct shift for the Bush administration because the president recently condemned the patrol groups as vigilantes.
But Bonner said that he was urging his staff to communicate with the patrol groups and that Border Patrol officials were investigating whether the agency should form its own civilian force, similar to auxiliary programs of the Coast Guard, local sheriff's departments and other law enforcement agencies. Bonner said the idea was inspired by the Minuteman Project.
His comments brought mixed reactions from advocates on both sides of the immigration issue.
"I'm shocked," said Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project. "I think his intentions are very well meaning, but I'm also wondering: Why has the administration come to support the Minuteman Project after we've gotten so used to having a negative response?"
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
And it's actually reported in the Left Angeles Times no less.
Maybe John Carroll has already left! LOL
whaddya think ping
LOL. That's the front page below-the-fold story.
Notice how they want to start their own "political sub-division". It will mean just a larger fed agency branch and business as usual. JMHO
I think once the higher-ups hear about this, Bonner will be be retiring soon to spend more time with his family.
I think this is good.
yea, well at least it made the Front Page!!!
I posted a piece about the Supreme Court nominee's wife that appeared in the LA Times today that she was "anti-abortion!" and a can I say it? A Catholic!!!
Can you imagine that! The outrage!! LOL
Or put into a GS-5 position guarding the Nebraska border.
They don't and Gilcrist knows it...
So do we.
Bravo to the Minuteman Project for showing they were not a vigilante group bent on taking the law into their own hands. BRAVO!
Yes,just one of the many lies and accusations thrown at the Minutemen. They were sitting right on the border line in lawn chairs. It was the press and ACLU who were galumphing around tripping off sensors, leaving footprints, and generally making problems for the Border Patrol.
hrmn.
http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=3624208
[quote]
LOS ANGELES The Department of Homeland Security says it has NO plans to use citizen volunteers to help patrol the border...
[unquote]
of course, the HSD is not the same org as the ICE, so I dunno what the hell is brewing on the issue
Total confusion. OK, now I understand!
I think I'm gonna rescind my initial reaction and wait to see how this plays out.
Interesting development. Bump for later reading.
Perhaps some inner tension springing loose amongst the alpha bets?
IMO, the administration is looking for a way to change its position without admitting they were negligent; this guy apparently represents the admin.
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