Posted on 01/25/2006 4:37:36 AM PST by Borax Queen
The map being distributed by Humane Borders and Mexico's Human Rights Commission shows, using semicircles, how far people entering the United States illegally can expect to walk in one, two and three days. The text at bottom center warns people "Don't go!" into Arizona because of insufficient water and says, "It's not worth it!" Circles show where entrants have died, flags are water tanks and stars are rescue beacons. Emergency phone numbers are at lower right; the graph at the top shows the most dangerous months.
...A Tucson human-rights group has teamed up with Mexico's Human Rights Commission to provide illegal border-crossers with maps that can guide them to water tanks, rescue beacons and roads.
The Rev. Robin Hoover, founder of Humane Borders, and commission officials Tuesday said they plan to distribute the maps to reduce the death toll of migrants, who, unaware of the dangers, trek across a searing desert each summer.
"It's designed to save lives," Hoover said of the effort in a telephone interview after announcing the plan in Mexico City. His organization places the water tanks in the desert for thirsty migrants.
Four maps have been prepared, each one centering on a different migration corridor along the Arizona-Sonora border including Douglas, Nogales, Sasabe and Lukeville.
The maps show the locations where deaths have occurred and also show where Humane Borders water stations have been set up and Border Patrol rescue beacons have been installed. The maps also indicate how far would-be illegal entrants can expect to walk in one to three days.
Mauricio Farah, one of the commission's national inspectors, said about 70,000 maps will be distributed throughout Mexico starting in March.
The main objective of the poster-size maps is to warn migrants of the risks associated with crossing the desert, he said by telephone.
"The Arizona corridor has taken many lives," Farah said, adding that about 500 Mexicans died trying to cross the U.S.-Mexican border last year. "The map shows migrants that the trip is quite dangerous."
Some 217 illegal entrants died after crossing the border in Southern Arizona between Oct. 1, 2004, and Sept. 30, 2005, according to Border Patrol Tucson Sector spokesman Jose Garza.
Farah emphasized the maps are not intended to promote illegal immigration.
"The reasons and motivations for migration are deep and complex," he said. "They go far beyond the existence of this map."
But some critics say the map, much like a controversial comic-style guide that Mexico distributed last year, will serve only to push more migrants north. Garza said the map could give border-crossers a false sense of security.
Knowing the location of water, roads and Border Patrol rescue beacons is no guarantee that migrants will find them, or that they will get out of the desert alive, Garza said.
"What we're trying to do is to deter people from crossing in the first place," he said, adding that those who smuggle people into the country through the desert also can misuse the map.
Jim Nixon, who belongs to Tucson's Arizonans for Immigration Control, said he had no doubt the map would encourage more border-crossers to make the trip.
"The map tells them where to go and where not to go," he said. "Humane Borders is aiding and abetting, there's no question in my mind."
Hoover said potential border-crossers from Mexico must be informed of the perils before they make up their minds to leave home.
The map is an improved version of a similar poster that was distributed in Sasabe as part of a pilot project last year, he said. Perhaps the map — which will show migrants how far they can walk in a day as well as areas with cell-phone reception — can keep some from leaving, he said.
But if people still want to venture across the border illegally, they will know what they're up against, Hoover added.
"Many people have no idea what they're in for," he said.
On the Web: Download a copy of the maps at www.humaneborders.org/ news/news4.html
Illegal alien entry map ping.
Looks like a useful tool for the border agents. All they have to do is get a map and they will know where to look for them.
To whom? Depends on your point of view, I suppose.
I'm sure somewhere, someone has taken the time, against active opposition, to compile the number of American deaths due to these sterling souls.
I am certain that the number easily exceeds 500, counting murders, other felonies, manslaughter and criminal negligence, including DUIs.
We won't even count the rapes.
THe US group is aiding and abetting the violation of US laws and must be stopped by all means.
Answer: create a map based on their map that shows illegals how to get from the border to Rev. Hoover's house and the other members of Humane Borders' houses. How would they feel when they are personally responsible for helping these people, rather than making cute political statements.
Simple solution: Hand out bogus maps.
Ping
"In related news, the First National Bank of Tucson has opened a website with as-builts of their alarm system, and residents are reminded to leave a key under the doormat at all times."
Can someone please explain why these groups aren't behind bars. I don't want "because Bush doesn't defend the border" but a serious reason why they aren't being arrested for smuggling, harboring, and aiding and abetting criminals.
This map proves that the Mexican invasion of the U.S. is sponsored by the Mexican government.
This is the same as finding the order of battle of an armed invasion. We should use the map to help us stop the flow of invading forces.
It is past time to get tough.
"Can someone please explain why these groups aren't behind bars. I don't want "because Bush doesn't defend the border" but a serious reason why they aren't being arrested for smuggling, harboring, and aiding and abetting criminals."
You may not want it but here is your answer "because Bush doesn't defend the border"
Why don't our border patrol units get one of these maps and stake out the water and beacon sites, load'em up and haul their butts right back?
This is a useful map to the citizens of Arizona. It's time to dismantal the water tanks and beacons.Can probably be done from a long distance with a .308.
How about the U.S. provide a map on arrival with it clearly indicated where and how they turn around and walk back?
Safely, of course.
And they're not all Mexican. The maps have pretty sad spelling errors, for example, the spelling of "month" as mez rather than mes. Pretty elementary three letter word.
The obvious question I'll repeat: Why aren't these criminals, providing criminal support in an "in your face" manner", in jail?
Suppose they printed maps of armored cars routes and stops?
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