Posted on 08/12/2003 7:21:52 PM PDT by 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.
A big time escalation in this conflict.
Ping me and talk to me, if you've got a complaint.
You better damn well document what you're talking about, too -- and cut out this hit-and-run garbage.
You've been calling me a liar based on an unsubstantiated accusation against two guys, raised after-the-fact in response to barratry, that they waved guns at some people. You are calling me a liar because I called these patrols "guys with binoculars", which most of them are. But oh, it turns out a couple of them carry pistols legally, because of snakes -- or maybe drug cowboys -- and you insist on calling me a liar. If you persist in this, it's going to get rough in here. You are being unfair, and you are talking about me behind my back to other posters -- stop it!!
BUMP
I Agree!
One question I've never seen anyone answer is why illegal aliens should be treated better than legal immigration applicants?
I AGREE! _________________________________________________________________________
That is why I don't shop at this very unfriendly, never thankful, no smiles, can't say hi how are you again, turd world hell hole that has infested all of our neighbors from coast to coast.
How have you been Vanlandingham?
Quoting the law got the hypocrites crazy.
I've spoken to Sheriff Larry Dever - Cochise County Sheriff. I know him. I respect him. I trust his interpretation of the Arizona Statutes far more than I trust yours.
Now we're getting somewhere... How does he interpret the law?
Seems clear that Dumas and Co. were acting illegally. We won't even bring up the pistol-whipping.
13-3884. Arrest by private person A private person may make an arrest:
1. When the person to be arrested has in his presence committed a misdemeanor amounting to a breach of the peace, or a felony.
2. When a felony has been in fact committed and he has reasonable ground to believe that the person to be arrested has committed it.
Based on what election? What contest? What outcome?
You come in here and call people names and flame people, make an easy cut-and-paste or two, pronounce fecal overload on everyone else on the thread, and then send them Freepmails calling them names. That's a discussion?
I just sent you back a FReepmail instructing you -- telling you -- not to FReepmail me again.
Spiff is right. You're a flamer, a troll, and a backstabbing little agitator. You contribute no argument beyond "you are all dirt beneath my feet" and an assortment of puerile name-calling. You are playing ego games and wanking around, and other people are discussing the issues according to their lights. You aren't discussing anything -- you're just poking people with sticks, and trying to hold the door open by occasionally pasting up a quote. Big deal. Cultural jihad brings eight times as much effort to this, never mind Cj's POV or posting style (early D.U.), and addresses the issues. You address other people's I.Q. and personal honesty -- always derogatorily. You've lost interest in the discussion, and now all you want to do is call people names and stir things up. You're a troll. Get lost.
Go away. Permanently.
Like your first post to me on this thread? The lies you followed it with are the reason you're not worth the debate.
You were trolling, and I called you on it. You were trolling then, and you're trolling now -- there's the word "lie" again.
Can't have a civil discussion with people who disagree with you, can you? You can't leave it alone -- you have to go for the goad, get personal.
Call the question.
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