Posted on 05/29/2004 6:09:11 PM PDT by I_saw_the_light
PHOENIX - Greeted by rocky terrain and triple-digit temperatures, scores of illegal immigrants die as they cross into the United States along the Arizona border this time of year. In hopes of saving some of them, churches and humanitarian groups are launching around-the-clock desert camps to provide emergency water and medical help. The first camp opens Monday near Arivaca in southeastern Arizona.
The camps, dubbed "Arks of the Covenant," are designed to be places of sanctuary "with the pure intention of reducing the number of deaths," said the Rev. Sue Westfall, co-pastor of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church in Tucson.
Between October 2002 and September 2003, the end of the federal fiscal year, 139 people died trying to cross into the United States in the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector. Most died from the effects of heat or cold, said Border Patrol spokesman Andy Adame.
The Tucson Sector, which covers most of the Arizona border, has become one of the busiest crossing points along the U.S.-Mexico border because enforcement has made it more difficult to cross in other places.
Westfall said something must be done to reduce the number of deaths.
"It's too high," she said. "It's just too high."
Four locations were selected for base camps to aid immigrants.
The camps, which will be staffed by volunteers, are an extension of a program done over the past three years by volunteers with Samaritan Patrol. Volunteers have driven from Tucson to remote border areas looking for immigrants in distress.
But the Rev. John Fife, the pastor of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, said Samaritan volunteers have been spending a lot of time driving back and forth, and the camps provide an opportunity for a 24-hour operation.
Besides the one near Arivaca, camps — a combination of mobile homes and large tents — will be placed in Douglas, near Why and northwest of Tucson. All will be open by mid-June and are expected to operate through the summer, Fife said.
Westfall said immigrants more than likely will find out about the aid through word of mouth but patrols will continue, with the Arks camps serving as base camps.
The camps are part of a larger campaign by a coalition of human rights groups and churches called No More Deaths. The group is trying to draw attention to what it says is flawed immigration policy through events in southern Arizona over the weekend and a 75-mile walk from Sasabe to Tucson designed to show the migrant trail.
Adame declined to comment on the camps until they were up and running.
He did say, however, the Border Patrol believes in humanitarian efforts aimed at saving lives, noting the agency has more than 100 emergency medical technicians. Nearly 200 illegal immigrants have been rescued since Oct. 1.
But he said people who come across illegal immigrants are advised to call authorities and not to transport them.
"There's nothing wrong with feeding them, giving them water. But you should definitely restrain from transporting them," he said.
This is from a border patrol agent. Its not illegal to assist these people? You gotta be kidding me.
ping
Not only that but it's policy not to demand proof of citizenship by law enforcement. They're home free. What a deal.
I think Andy Adame was under-quoted.
If you find illegal aliens in a life threatening situation, you can give them water and/or food and medical attention. Transporting them is another thing -- you better be transporting them directly to the Border Patrol or nearest healthcare facility. When in doubt, whip out the cell phone and dial 911.
Adame probably stated it in this fashion so that these groups know there aren't many loopholes. One tactic they've used in the past is to transport the illegals straight to Tucson to a group of immigration lawyers so that they're harder to deport.
...Noble cause, to keep them from death, but, not from being sent back...
Harder to deport thanks to our enemies domestic.
Was wondering if you could look over the reverse psyche ideas we were kicking around on the thread I pinged you. It looks promising.
It's noble to assist a foreign power engage in acts of war (invasion by non-uniformed personnel in this case) against the United States?
Reverse psychology works very well and enrages the disloyal opposition.
Missed the ping as I was watching a Border Patrol chopper working the canyons. He went over my house enroute at low altitude and full throttle and was probably wishing he had afterburners. Tactics like that usually mean a very large group or a drug shipment has been spotted.
It will be amusing to watch what happens to their camp over near Douglas. A lot of the ranchers and property owners are way hostile to illegal aliens. If these loons set up at a location where the illegals have to cross the wrong property to reach it, the camp won't be lasting long.
ping
read later
Bump
I must ponder and cogitate. These loons might be unwittingly useful in increasing apprehensions...
Will the UAV be able to keep a rough body count number on these places? Would an increase of 25 hot bodies show up?
We'll see how fervent the flock is in a couple of months when the sun beats down relentlessly and the temp exceeds 115. Something tells me these do gooders will disappear. They just want their 15 minutes of fame.
If you want to stop these endless deaths, stop the jobs that draw them into the desert in the first place. Let's see the do gooders create jobs in Mexico for them..assist them financially, etc. Of course, that's always too much to ask. Better they should come here and take an American citizens job.
Actually per state law in Arizona it is illegal to refuse water to someone if they ask. Food, no, but water...
Most certainly. Just make a low altitude run parallel to their position. Come at them against the wind and throttle back and it would almost be like a hover with the camera locked on target. I may not have mentioned the video stream goes into a TiVo box so one of the operators can instantly review any video of interest on a separate monitor -- just freeze frame it and count bodies.
I'm fairly certain the "vigilante" groups down here in Cochise County have rescued more illegal aliens than any of these church groups. Any illegal found in need of food, water, or medical treatment gets it while we wait for the Border Patrol or Sheriff's Department to arrive.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.