Surge of volunteers expected to help illegal immigrants cross desert

News 4 Tucson ^ | May 21, 2006 | KVOA.com and the Associated Press

[KoRn]

A surge in the number of volunteers fanning out across Arizona's southern deserts to aid illegal immigrants is expected this summer.

The increase comes despite the ongoing prosecution of two volunteers arrested last summer on federal charges they intentionally conspired to transport illegal entrants, leaders of illegal immigrant aid groups said.

Shanti A. Sellz and Daniel M. Strauss, both 24, were arrested as they drove illegal entrants to a clinic on July 9 and face trial in October.

Leaders of two faith-based groups, No More Deaths and Samaritan Patrol, say they've signed up hundreds of volunteers to deliver food, water and medical aid to migrants illegally walking into the country from Mexico. No More Deaths alone has 500 registered volunteers, up from 300 last summer.

A third group, Humane Borders, puts water tanks in areas frequented by illegal migrants.

The groups are trying to reach an agreement with the U.S. Border Patrol spelling out legal ways they can provide humanitarian aid to illegal migrants.

The biggest issue is what to do when volunteers come across migrants they believe need immediate medical attention, the same situation that Sellz and Strauss contend led to their arrests.

No More Deaths legal adviser Margo Cowan said she's presented a draft agreement to the U.S. Border Patrol spelling out how to deal with similar situations.

But Michael Nicley, chief of the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, says he hasn't signed it. He said he is trying to maintain good relations with the aid groups but it is never right to transport illegal entrants, even if they're gravely ill. He said anyone who comes across an ill migrant should call the Border Patrol.

"If someone has a heart attack, then they need to summon emergency medical care," he said. "The smart way is not to load them in a vehicle and drive them to Tucson."

Cowan said her group is looking forward to "a good working collaboration with the Border Patrol this summer," and Border Patrol agents will attend No More Deaths training sessions.

"We're going to do everything we can to work with the U.S. to save lives. We're not picking fights," Cowan said.

Since Oct. 1, federal records show 73 migrants have died in the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, which runs from the New Mexico line to the western edge of Pima County, most caused by heat exhaustion and dehydration.

A total of 216 deaths, including women and children, were recorded in the Tucson Sector from Oct. 1, 2004 through Sept. 30, 2005.

[KoRn]

"Has the world gone topsy turvey?

Yes it has. We are truly in bizarro world now.

[KoRn]

"I wonder how tough it would be for the Border Patrol to follow them and empty the water tanks. It doesn't sound that tought to me."

I was thinking about how a high powered rifle would do wonders for those water containers. If you think about trying it, make sure no illegals are anywhere NEAR those containers. You would be immediately arrested, sent to Mexico, and executed.

[VOA]

You commit civil disobedience...
you must be prepared to face the consequences.

At least that's what they taught in high school "civics" class back
in the late 1960s-70s.

[garbanzo]

Arn't they just being good Christians?

In the traditional sense, yes. In the American Christianist sense no.

[meyer]

I'd be willing to bet the Border Patrol Agents have no desire to attend this. Stupidity like this is born of government bureaucrats not law enforcement.

I agree. I'm intimately familiar with bureaucratic requirements - long on "feel good" and short on real-world results.

[KoRn]

"At least that's what they taught in high school "civics" class back in the late 1960s-70s."

That was always my understanding as well, by the time I got in high school they had stopped teaching that. I'm just glad I paid attention early on in school when they did teach such values. I was in high school during the Clinton years, but I think the downfall of values in school had begun way before then.

[Mamzelle]

Are they trespassing on private property?

This is huge lawsuit potenial against these Ivy League coyotes.

Trespass is an intentional tort. You can sue a trespasser for damamges. There are also other torts happening here--leading more trespassers onto private land, littlering, providing a danger and a hazard...they'd be defending themselves forever, and my guess is that these little NE liberals have some daddy-assets.

[KoRn]

Interesting take. I hope the land owners down there keep an eye out for this.

[Mamzelle]

Landowners would be the ones who'd have to sue. But others like the Minutemen could help gather evidence and set up these self-infatuated Messiah wannabes. No brainer, slam dunk. And I don't think this group has Christian affiliations, despite the "Samaritan" jazz.

[bert]

The Presbyterian church next to the Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee Arizina has a sign up promoting the cause.

[GBA]

Are they being good Christians, you ask? I don't know.

Are the Mexicans fleeing something? Are they in pursuit of Christian enlightenment here in the US and need Christian assistance?

Why is helping someone break into our country being a good Christian? Wouldn't it be more Christian to fix the reasons they want to leave their home?

[Roccus]

I'm betting they are tax exempt non-profits. Would love to get a peek at their donor rolls.

[SUSSA]

And, while I have been told that illegally entering this country is a misdemeanor, AIDING AND ABETTING those who do so is a FELONY.

Yes, and they should go to jail for a very long time. The BP should also stake out their aid stations and water stations to catch the and deport the criminals they are set up to aid.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Then again, these "volunteer groups" might be a front for the Border Patrol who want to lure the illegals to a watering hole so they can round them up and herd them back to Methico.

We might need to get that word out to the Methican gubmint.(wink)

[Mamzelle]

This church could also get slapped with a lawsuit if they bring trespassers onto private propterty. It's called "conspiracy."

[KoRn]

"Would love to get a peek at their donor rolls"

Time for some snooping around, pajama patrol style =)

[antisocial]

"Traitorous wretches.

Let them all suffer the harshest penalties provided by law -- and let the penalties be made harsher for the next batch of these scumbags."

Along with a good dose of heat stroke from wandering around in the desert! :)

[antonia]

Facts on the Cost of Illegal Alien Invaders

1. The number of illegal immigrants estimated to be here are from 12-24+ mil!

2. 5+ million cheat the government out of over $35 Billion a year in income taxes.

3. At the same time they receive $30 Billion a year in government benefits!

4. 96% of increased enrollment in public schools is due to immigration. Parents of those students contribute little or nothing in taxes to support education!

5. 2002 - American Hospital Assoc. paid $21 Billion in uncompensated healthcare..this does not include Government and private clinics costs. US Census Bureau 2003 report; 30.6% Hispanics vs. 9% other received means tested government benefits (welfare, healthcare, food stamps).

7. These 30.6% contributed NOTHING to the government while receiving benefits.

8. Taxpayers pay $12 Billion annually for illegal’s education. Add children born here to illegal parents = $28.6 Billion.

9. Providing dual language programs represents additional expense Of $290-$879 PER pupil PLUS free meals/books for illegal children in our classrooms.

10. 270,000 = number of illegal aliens spending time in our jails in 2003. 1 in 5 in our prison population are illegal aliens convicted of a felony AFTER entering our county illegally.

11. Illegal aliens displace approximately 730,000 American workers every year!

12. $20 BILLION in remittances sent back to Mexico last year! That’s a lot of $ taken out of our Economy to be sent home to their own!

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

Fight Moral Cowardice

[SUSSA]

NO!

[SUSSA]

Not in any sense. Quote anywhere in the Bible people are told to help others commit crimes. It isn't in there.