Border Patrol Stops Immigrants' 'Freedom Ride' Buses

Yahoo News ^ | 9-26-03 | AP-Chris Roberts

[JustPiper]

EL PASO, Texas - Two buses carrying nearly 100 people making a "Freedom Ride" to bring attention to mistreatment of undocumented immigrants were stopped for nearly four hours Friday at a U.S. Border Patrol station.

The riders were asked to leave the buses and were questioned, said Hilda Delgado, a spokeswoman on the buses. All were later released, and the buses were back on the road to San Antonio by about noon.

Border Patrol officials in El Paso confirmed that two buses were stopped, but said they were still gathering information. A message left at the checkpoint near Sierra Blanca, 75 miles east of El Paso, wasn't immediately returned.

Delgado, who said she is a U.S. citizen from Los Angeles, wouldn't say whether any of the individuals on the buses were in the country illegally. She said they held up Freedom Ride cards to officials who questioned them.

The cards say that the ride is peaceful, that they exercise their right to remain silent, that they don't consent to a search and don't give up any rights. The card also has the name of a lawyer to contact.

"We have been singing solidarity songs on the bus," Delgado said. "We are trying to expose the injustice of current policies toward immigrants."

Delgado said the people on the bus represent 10 million undocumented immigrants who contribute $730 million each year to the U.S. economy.

"They want to reunite with their families and contribute to the economy," she said. "Our immigration laws need a road to citizenship."

The cross-country caravan, backed by organized labor, began Saturday. Nearly 1,000 people were to join the ride, with 18 buses planning stops in communities including Washington and New York.

[VU4G10]

yeah, yeah ..

[Joe Hadenuf]

Anyone seen Tom Ridge, or President Bush?

[Chad Fairbanks]

"Our immigration laws need a road to citizenship."

Ummm... they DO, if you go through the process LEGALLY!

[JustPiper]

I did a search and didn't see yours until way after this, glad your keeping up on this farce ;)

[JustAnAmerican]

"September 26 -- According to reliable sources, the Bush administration has decided to stop enforcing immigration laws.

If this is true then we need to start impeachment proceedings. At this point I don't give a rats tail what anyone in the whitehouse is doing or not doing, it's treason for these idiots to stop enforcing our borders. Or maybe they would be satisfied with an uprising by fifty million plus Americans that are tired of this cr*p!!!

[JustPiper]

I've faxed Bush, but have yet to get the info how to fax, phone Ridge...I wrote him a fax through FAIR but no go.

[JustPiper]

I've said there would be a revolt about this in my fax, they must think we're bsing?

[EGPWS]

EL PASO, Texas - Two buses carrying nearly 100 people making a "Freedom Ride" to bring attention to mistreatment of undocumented ILLEGAL immigrants were stopped for nearly four hours Friday at a U.S. Border Patrol station.

Well, nobody else will change it so I did it myself!

[JustAnAmerican]

"I've said there would be a revolt about this in my fax, they must think we're bsing?

Just let these idiots keep thinking that. I haven't heard from one American that isn't fed up with this garbage. Even the hard core Dims around here are cursing about the illegal problem. There is only so much Americans are willing to take before we will take matters into our own hands, and I can guarantee you that the POS politicians that support illegal-aliens will not like it one little bit. Who do these SOB's think they are? We have to obey the law while they let illegals do what they want?

[StriperSniper]

"We are trying to expose the injustice of current policies toward immigrants."

They are correct, current policies are unjust.

Just policies would mean that their innards were spilled on the border after being cut in half by .50 cals.

[Klickitat]

"We are trying to expose the injustice of current policies toward immigrants."

It may sound like a broken record but the response always has to be made that the system is extremely fair to legal immigrants.

Repeat: the system is just as fair to legal immigrants as it is to native born Americans. Legal immigrants have all the same protections under law that natives do. Criminals who break our laws do not deserve the benefits that those immigrants who have followed our laws do.

Illegals who come here purely for their own monetary benefit, who have no concern over the negative impact they make on the environment, infrastracture, and debt load do not deserve the same benefits that legal immigrants do.

Illegals who despise America, spit on our flag and feel nothing but hate and contempt for the country they have invaded do not deserve the same benefits that legal immigrants do.

Illegals who have no trouble breaking our immigration law are also the ones who have no problem breaking many other laws, not paying taxes with their under the table wages, running from the scene of accidents they cause with their decrepit or stolen vehicles, no problem taking full advantage of our medical facilities with no intention of paying for their costly treatment, and who have no problem taking any and all governmental benefits they are not entitled to paid for by honest taxpayers. People like this do not deserve the same benefits that legal immigrants do.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I say this to President Bush and other politicians.

"If you think you have the moral high ground, go before the citizens of the United States and tell them on national TV you do not believe in enforcing immigration laws and all such laws should be repealed."

Quit being cowards.

Stop undermining the laws of this country.

Stop slapping the faces of citizens and LEGAL immigrants.

You don't have the balls to tell the American people what you REALLY believe, do you?

[usadave]

Delgado said the people on the bus represent 10 million undocumented immigrants who contribute $730 million each year to the U.S. economy.

Delgado failed to mention the fact that illegal aliens suck up several BILLIONS of dollars in American taxpayer funded services every year.

[JustPiper]

CL has just wired me up to this!

Howard Dean's website-

Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Across the country, from September 20th through October 4th, the historic Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride (IWFR) is taking place. Inspired by the 1960's Civil Rights Freedom Riders, the IWFR is involving hundreds of thousands of Americans in addressing the rights and liberties of immigrant workers throughout America. Both as a part of the massive September 20th Dean Visibility Day and on until October 4th, Dean supporters in every part of the country are getting involved with Freedom Riders. As Dean supporters, let's show our support for the IWFR and get immigrant workers involved in Howard Dean's defeat of George Bush!!

IWFR buses, full of participants, are starting from nine kick-off points throughout the country, ranging from the Pacific Northwest to the Deep South to New England and everywhere in between, and converging in New York City. They will make over 100 stops for rallies and demonstrations. Join them when they stop near you!! Go meet the Freedom Riders at stops near you. Below is a list of Dean outreach events at IWFR events. Show up with you Dean shirt or button, pass out flyers for Dean, and cheer long and loud for immigrant workers rights!

"America is an immigrant nation. As President, I will recognize and respect the vital role immigrants have played in building the American community."

Thursday, September 25, 5:00PM
Minneapolis, MN
Immigrants Workers Freedom Ride - Minnesota Route Send-Off Rally

Saturday, September 27, 12:00PM
Rochester, MN
Send off for Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Saturday, September 27, 5:00PM
Chicago, IL
Rally for America @ Chicago Freedom Ride
Saturday, September 27, 6:15PM

Omaha, NE
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Saturday, September 27, 6:00PM
Dearborn, MI
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride Rally

Sunday, September 28, 5:00PM
Davenport, IA
Immigrant Worker's Freedom Ride

Monday, September 29, 12:00PM
Nashville, TN
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Monday, September 29, 4:30PM
Fayetteville, NC
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Monday, September 29, 12:00PM
Marion, NC
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Monday, September 29, 4:00PM
Morganton, NC
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Monday, September 29, 5:00PM
Doraville, GA
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride - March and Rally
Tuesday, September 30, 12:00PM

Wilson, NC
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Tuesday, September 30, 12:00PM
Charlotte, NC
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Tuesday, September 30, 12:00PM
Greensboro, NC
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Tuesday, September 30, 4:30PM
Durham, NC
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Wednesday, October 1, 11:30AM
Baltimore, MD
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Saturday, October 4, 12:00PM
New York City, NY
Mass Rally to mark the end of the IWFR

Downloadable Dean Flyers on Immigration, Labor and more, in English and en Espanol

Well, although we have a conservative administration, we see who is still running the country!!!

[Joe Hadenuf]

Does anyone but me notice that the so-called big Republican party people on this site avoid threads like this like the plague?

This is such an f-in outrage, and it's being totally ignored, and given a green light by President Bush and Tom Ridge, and the rest of the freaking *&^% in DC.

[sixmil]

Yes, and I also noticed the lack of tariff-free traitors who would have to say that "we are getting cheap Mexican labor and all they are getting is our useless dollars in return."

[JustPiper]

I'm right there with you Joe. I had to log off before to bring down my BP!

[JustPiper]

That is exactly what they think JA! Because we are the free country, last I knew we worked 3-4 months FREE a year to pay taxes!

[JustPiper]

Bump and Amen!