Posted on 05/18/2006 7:20:02 PM PDT by blam
Bush immigration reforms fail to reassure patriots
By Catherine Elsworth in Yuma
(Filed: 19/05/2006)
President George W Bush yesterday took his proposals for immigration reform to the south-western tip of the Arizona desert where illegal smuggling, accompanied by crime, banditry and death, is soaring.
The arid, unfenced area is rapidly emerging as the busiest point of entry along the 2,000-mile United States/Mexican border.
The President joins United States Border Patrol agents
The President's visit to Yuma came days after he called for 6,000 National Guard troops to strengthen the border, improved channels for illegal immigrants to obtain US citizenship and more permits enabling foreigners to enter the country legally to work.
His visit met a mixed response in the city that depends heavily on migrant labour but is also grappling with the problem of illegal immigration, crime and over-stretched social services.
While some residents unfurled flags, others offered words of warning and advice.
Last year, the Yuma Border Patrol, which oversees a 62-mile stretch, seized 138,000 "illegal aliens" attempting to cross into America. This year, it has already caught 96,000, a 13 per cent increase. The number of deaths hit a record of 51 last year.
A three-year-old Mexican boy was reported to have died yesterday while crossing the desert with his mother. The boy's body was left behind by the unidentified woman, who later told Border Patrol agents about his death.
But despite the numbers apprehended, critics say the system is toothless as most immigrants are simply driven back over the border to try again until they eventually get through.
"It's devastating our country," said Flash Sharrar, 51, who founded the Yuma Patriots, a voluntary border patrol group 13 months ago.
"The Border Patrol tries to do a good job but ultimately they are controlled by Washington which won't let them do what they are hired to do. With this catch and release system, it's like you're chasing your own tail."
The patriots stage unarmed night patrols in groups of about 30 to 40 men and women up to four times a week. They use scanners and night vision equipment and when they find immigrants, they make them sit down while they call the agents.
I'd say too little, too late, listening to wrong advisors.
Bush Immigration Reforms Fail To Reassure Patriots
Jorge Bush. I like that!
What is most notable about this article to me is the striking difference in the tone and objectivity of the reporter when compared to the American MSM. Thank heaven for The Telegraph. I may not always agree with them or enjoy reading what they say, but at least they, unlike our media, still practice professional journalism.
Locking down the border is a National Security issue. It's not just about illegal border jumper coming here to work.
"Take my wife.. please!"
"It's not amnesty."
IMO Bush should halt all immigration and all citizenship, and call for a nation wide vote.
A national ID card should be issued in a national database to deter voter fraud.
An issue this important should not be demagogued by politicians for political advantage. There are enormous pressures on politicians of both parties.
Can't do that, we know what would be the result and we know that the politicians know what is best for us.
Another poster on another thread had eluded to as much. That we had super secret WOT ops going on at the border. Of course DHS and administration would want to keep it secret. But I suspect the reason is not because of compromising the ops but because if the information was widely reported, the uproar, furor, and cry to seal the borders, would be 1000 times greater than it is now.
On another note, personally speaking, if the administration is allowing this invasion from mexico to continue as a tactical exercise with the hopes of getting OBL sneaking across the border; well that's a very dangerous game to be playing so close to home. The border is just too long and too unguarded to run the risk of missing someone with something really nasty in their backpacks.
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