Posted on 01/01/2007 11:54:13 AM PST by calcowgirl
Illegal immigrants planning to cross the desert and enter the US on foot are to be given hand-held satellite devices by the Mexican authorities to ensure they arrive safely.
Those who get lost or fall sick during the dangerous four-day crossing will be able to activate the device, to alert frontier police on both sides of the border.
The satellite tracking service will require would-be illegals to register their intentions before setting off — a paradoxical move, given that secrecy is necessary for success — but Mexican authorities are predicting that about 200,000 devices will be handed out when the project is launched formally in the coming year.
"Our intention is to save lives," said Jaime Obregon, the co-ordinator for the state commission for migrants in Puebla, the Mexican state which is behind the project. "There are lots of people looking to cross and we are working with the US authorities to make sure they do not die on the way."
Between 20 and 30 migrants succumb to hellish temperatures and insect bites while attempting to cross into Arizona every year. Heat exhaustion sometimes causes short-term memory loss, with trekkers wandering aimlessly into the desert.
The route into Arizona, known as the Sasave Pass, is both the most common and the most dangerous way into the US. According to Mexican state migrant authorities, up to 75,000 attempt the crossing every month, of whom between 50,000 and 60,000 are caught by US border patrols and sent back.
The chance of success depends greatly on the knowledge of the guide, known as a "coyote" or "desert fox". They charge between $2,000 and $10,000 per person (£1,025-£5,100).
Coyotes are merciless if a member of their pack lags behind. "If you cannot keep up they will abandon you." said Mr Obregon. "Alone, you have about 36 hours to live. It is in this period the satellite device makes a difference."
A spokesman for US Customs and Border Protection said: "We do not have any information about the Mexican government providing satellite trackers to people, but we strongly discourage encouragement to people who are attempting to cross illegally into the US."
Bush is PRO illegal alien, PRO amnesty and PRO open borders, not the opposite. 'Enlightening' him is probably a waste of time.
A better plan would be to inundate instead, all of our congressmen who need to step up to the plate immediately and prevent Bush and the OBL from passing CIR legislation. Otherwise, they will hand him exactly what he wants. If that happens, our country will never be the same.
We need to confuse the tracking devices and send them right back into Mexico.
It would benefit the Mexican govt. to support this because the more unemployed riff raff they send over the border, the more money they get back into their economy as these illegal workers send their paychecks back home to their families. Billions and billions of US dollars flow into Mexico every year from illegal aliens in America.
America needs a president who will build a wall, protect America from invasion, and actually enforce the existing laws.
If it's not an outright act of war, it's certainly an unfriendly invasion by another country.
Un-frigging-believable!
I've asked it before, and I'll axe it again... What is it that the mexican government has on President Bush?
Mark
So, why isn't the US's intention a moat filled with gators, sharp shooters posted every 150 feet, land mines, and low flying crop dusters? Oh never mind, ICE can't find an illegal in a protest parade.
You mean Alta Mexico....
And a bottle of champagne. Is it any wonder with folks in government like the one in my tag line.
Send up a blimp to jam the signal along the border. Spoof em with info that directs them back SOUTH.
And I begged for a new GPS in my Christmas stocking. I didn't get one but then that's to be expected since I'm a citizen.
Sounds like the UN, doesn't it?
FMCDH(BITS)
I'd like to add one thing here... Employers who (knowingly) employ illegal aliens are contributing to identity theft. Those employers should also be required to pay all the expenses of anyone whos identity has been stolen, to recover their identity and credit. And they should be liable for all other costs as well.
Mark
Absolutely.
Then we truly have very little hope if they find what is happening acceptable.
Here's hoping someone figures how to trigger and track these things remotely...
Even better ....get out the rumor that they have an built in homeimg / beacon signal that the Homeland Security people can use.
That's right. The Border Patrol really is nothing more than a safety net for these criminals.
What the U.S. should do is bill the Mexican government for every rescue initiated with these PLBs.
The good news for outdoors enthusiasts is that lots of these units should be available very soon in pawn shops across the Southwest for a reasonable price.
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