Maine: Search for illegal aliens alienates city

MaineToday.com ^ | January 30, 2004 | Bill Nemitz

[eno_]

I'm sorry but all freedom-loving people should first ask every law enforcement agent to supply a supportable reason for a request for ID.

Freedom means freedom from intrusion, to the greatest degree possible, not just to the limit of law enforcement resources to intrude.

If it's a "war," declare a war. If we must suspend our rights let's suspecnd them for a limited period. But a surveillancve state is not worth defending.

[Steve Eisenberg]

Like I said, there is a way to stop the illegal problem other than harrassing legal citizens!

If by "harrassing" you mean politely asking questions and slightly inconveniencing, there is no way to combat ANY kind of crime without "harrassing" innocent people. The sentence in italics above is purest utopianism.

[gunnedah]

Well everyone that is worried about the eroding of freedom should just take up a collection and lets us send got all those in Africa with aids.Let us be real humane about this thing. The milk and honey is drying up and the poor already in this country will be the ones to pay for all of our cheap labor.
Those of us who have expeirenced the security,saftey and wealth of this country will be cursed by our children and grandchildren if we dont tighten up.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Yes, how wonderful.

[eno_]

I hope you are young and able enough to re-up. My son will not be fighting to defend the Ashcroft Nation. Freedom Lite(tm) - a product of the HSA.

[csvset]

Wouldn't the Somalian bums be happier in Canada? Does American welfare pay better than Candian welfare?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

The funny thing is that what a law abiding citizen is changes over time! (i.e. gun ownership)

[FITZ]

Nasir Ahmed was behind the counter at Amei Halaal Market on St. John Street when agents walked in and told everyone, employees and customers alike, to get out their passports and green cards. Ahmed said some patrons eating lunch in the Somali market bolted out the back door - not because they were undocumented, but because they were scared to death.

"How would you feel if you went to McDonald's and got asked for ID while you were eating your food? That's what happened here," Ahmed asked. "Now, less people come in. We lost a lot of customers."

The agents didn't go into a McDonald's --- they went into a foreign market place to look for foreigners who might not be here legally or for the right reasons. They weren't bothering Americans, not trying to bother Americans. If you're an American in one of these places, they can pick that up quite quickly.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Actually, you are correct. Technically, the government cannot restrict the right of citizens to travel. Theory and reality often differ.

[verity]

You must be very proud!

[Ajnin]

This article is BS. You are not going to be asked for any documentation unless there is enough suspicion of you being an illegal alien. If you are of Hispanic appearance, you don't speak any English, you're wearing a coat in summer time and your are a 30 year old man flirting with a fifteen year old girl, chances are good you are going to be asked what your citizenship is by the migra.

[petercooper]

go back to somalia

[SheLion]

Good. They have to go. The illegal immigrant is the root CAUSE of our so-called "erosion of freedom",and the sooner the problem is dealt with, the better. I don't care if they're eating at McDonalds,attending a wedding, or at their Mama's funeral. If they are illegal-send em' packing. Of course G.W.,s amnesty program is incompatible with any serious attempt to clean up America.

I just wonder how many of these "legal" Somali's have brought in other family members that AREN'T so legal. Know what I mean?

I recently heard that there is a lot of Saudi's living in Detroit. They are bringing over female pregnant family members to have their babies in the Detroit hospital then they fly back.........all at the expense of the tax payer!

So, I am wondering how many Somali's have been "invited" to come to Lewiston, illegally........Food For Thought.

[cyborg]

May I ask how the enlightened border patrol will walk into a McDonalds or some other establishment and KNOW the difference?

[FITZ]

I was pulled over on an interstate by cops one night who shone a bright light into my car and waited awhile before getting out. All I had been doing was driving along normally --- but the reason they pulled me over is because two men in a car with a similar description had been going to rest areas robbing people at gunpoint. Sometimes you just will get stopped and checked out --- but we can't say they shouldn't go looking for dangerous criminals just because they might have to question an innocent person.

[petercooper]

John Ashcroft for President!

[Steve Eisenberg]

I'm sorry but all freedom-loving people should first ask every law enforcement agent to supply a supportable reason for a request for ID.

Let's say that the store owner asked for the raid because he thought there were illegals frequenting his store and that they were responsible for most of the increasing shoplifting that was destroying his livelihood. But the storeowner is acting as a confidential informant. Are you saying that you will refuse to cooperate unless the cop outs the storeowner or he shows you a warrant with your name on it? I just don't see the point. To me, the person being harrassed would be the officer.

Tell me the government goons raped your wife in front of you, as in the old Iraq. Then I will buy the idea of the US being unfree.

[FITZ]

When I've been questioned --- the border patrol just asks you where you're going, then they ask you where you're from, they might ask you a couple other things --- it's pretty obvious to them if you're an American and answering honestly.

It's no different than being able to spot a Midwesterner or Texan or Bostonian --- there are speech patterns, accents, mannerisms etc that make it pretty obvious.

I know illegals who have been picked up many times and sent back --- they say the agents are respectful --- except for a certain type --- you'd be surprised at which type the don't like being picked up by.

[SheLion]

Here is a map that shows all the "hot spots" in America. It's a little outdated, because those brothers in Buffalo were arrested, and Buffalo isn't on this map.

They are everywhere, and they are coming in fast!

[SheLion]

Cry me a river.

It's probably a small mom and pop's anyway. And just where are these people getting the money to SUPPORT this place?

Oh yes.....I forgot........WELFARE.