Immigrant-rights group intensifies fight against civilian patrols on border

Associated Press via the Arizona Daily Star ^ | 8/12/03

[Tancredo Fan]

Updated 5:54 pm Aug 12, 2003

Immigrant-rights group intensifies fight against civilian patrols on border

The Associated Press

PHOENIX - An advocacy group wants to file a lawsuit on behalf of migrants who say they were victimized by armed civilian groups patrolling the border, and is seeking victims willing to serve as plaintiffs.

The Border Action Network claims the groups operate outside the law and violate the rights of immigrants. They hope to pressure authorities to intervene.

The self-appointed border patrol groups deny they are breaking the law, and said they pass along to authorities information that volunteers collect about illegal border-crossers.

Volunteers for the Border Action Network are stretching their search for alleged victims along the entire border and as far south as the Mexican state of Chiapas. The advocates began asking victims to come forward earlier this year through ads and radio spots in Sonora, Mexico.

Once alleged victims come forward, attorneys plan to sue the people or groups accused of assaulting, robbing, intimidating or illegally detaining border-crossers.

"The purpose of the suit is to get at their pocketbook," said Jesus Romo, a civil rights attorney in Tucson. "Our purpose is to bankrupt these individuals so that they stop their actions."

No lawsuits have been filed thus far.

Border Action Network plans to continue using radio spots and newspaper ads to find plaintiffs, particularly focusing in areas where migrants originate.

Finding plaintiffs for civil lawsuits also could make it easier for prosecutors and other officials to open investigations into the activities of civilian patrol groups, said Zoe Hammer-Tomizuka, a Border Action Network volunteer.

Glenn Spencer, president of American Border Patrol, an organization based in Sierra Vista that monitors illegal border-crossers, says his group operates lawfully and does not interfere with migrants.

Still, he said he's concerned about groups that plan to file lawsuits. "Things are getting a little hairy," he said. "They're heightening feelings on both sides of the border. They are trying to rabble-rouse."

Another group that has patrolled the Arizona-Mexico border was sued in Texas over two incidents of alleged abuse against detained migrants.

A lawsuit filed in May accuses Ranch Rescue and others of assaulting, falsely imprisoning and robbing six people during two incidents in March in rural south Texas.

The Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala., and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund in Los Angeles joined in filing the lawsuit. The Southern Poverty Law Center monitors the political movements of groups from white supremacist groups to eco-terrorists.

[Tancredo Fan]

Ol' Shifty strikes again! Sometimes those trolls will go to great lengths to get attention.

[dirtboy]

Illegal entrance does not rise to the level of a misdemeanor which breaches the peace???

Typically, nowadays breach of the peace is construed as riot.

[Allegra]

It ain't polite to post private freepmail in the public forum without permission of the person who sent it.

Considering the nature of the message and the poster, I believe the rules don't apply here. It's harassment, really. He sent another screaming one a few minutes ago after I asked him to cease and desist.

[PRND21]

Look who's talking, Graphics Boy.

[PRND21]

Illegal entrance does not rise to the level of a misdemeanor which breaches the peace???

Debatable to be sure, but I'd say no.

[dirtboy]

Considering the nature of the message and the poster, I believe the rules don't apply here. It's harassment, really. He sent another screaming one a few minutes ago after I asked him to cease and desist.

Then take it up with the mods if you think he is out of line.

[PRND21]

You lie, too. I freepmailed that your post was cowardly. You are getting more cowardly.

[freeangel]

There is no such thing as immigrant rights if you are an ILLEGAL.

[Admin Moderator]

Knock it off, both of you.

[sasafras]

Is their any way we can sue these jerks, to recover our costs from the higher crime, illegal drugs, traffic accidents, education costs, etc that illegal mexicans bring to the US? Illegals and the liberals that support them are trying to convert this country into a communist stronghold.

[sasafras]

Is their any way we can sue these jerks, to recover our costs from the higher crime, illegal drugs, traffic accidents, education costs, etc that illegal mexicans bring to the US? Illegals and the liberals that support them are trying to convert this country into a communist stronghold.

[Tancredo Fan]

Turn the dogs loose on them! I'll bet they find their way back to Mexico with a few dogs chasing their sorry asses.

Works for me :-)

I have a feeling that the invaders will be seeing a lot more of this sort of 'welcoming committee' action soon, judging by published reports.

[PRND21]

Works for me :-)

You have the support of every liberal trial lawyer on Earth.

[varon]

The dead, after all, do not sue.

Right on. Don't leave any witnesses!

[jimt]

Immigrant rights group = illegal alien accomplices

[agarrett]

You seem to always show up at the illegal alien threads as a supporter of the wet backs.

Wrong. Got anymore baseless accusations?

  PRND21 - I checked your history. At least with what shows up here, you appear to have a great interest in threads about illegal immigrants. It's hardly unusual here for people to post mostly about a single issue, and from your history, illegal immigration appears to be yours.

  You also appear to take the side of the illegal immigrants, or at least, argue against private action to stop them. Was your complaint based on the term "wetback," or do you actually disagree with the substance?

Drew Garrett

[PRND21]

Was your complaint based on the term "wetback,"

No. Read the thread.

[Tancredo Fan]

There is no such thing as immigrant rights if you are an ILLEGAL.

If it were up to me the only right these criminal squatters would have is the right to remain silent.

[Tancredo Fan]

Immigrant rights group(s) = subject to immediate arrest prosecution under the RICO act.