Skip to comments.
Border Patrol Stops Immigrants' 'Freedom Ride' Buses
Yahoo News ^
| 9-26-03
| AP-Chris Roberts
Posted on 09/26/2003 3:18:30 PM PDT by 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.
TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: borders; dc; freedomrideillegals; immigrantlist; texas
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 ... 181-197 next last
1
posted on
09/26/2003 3:18:30 PM PDT
by
JustPiper
To: *immigrant_list; FITZ; moehoward; Nea Wood; CheneyChick; Joe Hadenuf; sangoo; ...
They were told not to detain, or arrest by Feds and they were let go!
2
posted on
09/26/2003 3:19:50 PM PDT
by
JustPiper
(Who is Minding Our Border's!!! 1-800- Shock Fences!!!)
To: All
3
posted on
09/26/2003 3:22:24 PM PDT
by
Cindy
To: Marine Inspector
INFO Ping
4
posted on
09/26/2003 3:23:01 PM PDT
by
Cindy
To: All
The way they are reporting it!
Immigrant Activists Stopped by Border Patrol
LAST UPDATE: 9/26/2003 3:26:31 PM
Posted By: Jim Forsyth
(SIERRA BLANCA, TEXAS) -- A convoy of two busloads of people on their way to Washington D.C. to lobby for citizenship for illegal aliens working in the U.S. was stopped today by the U.S. Border patrol just outside El Paso in west Texas.
"They were asked for their identification after being stopped at the I.N.S. checkpoint on Interstate 10 near Sierra Blanca," Leone Bicchieri, the leader of the convoy, which left Los Angeles earlier this week and is scheduled to arrive in San Antonio tonight, told 1200 WOAI news.
It is one of ten bus convoys which are calling themselves Immigrant Workers Freedom Rides, after the Freedom Rides of bus passengers which helped integrate bus stations and other public facilities in the south during the civil rights movement.
Bicchieri says the busses were released following the intervention of El Paso Bishop Armando X. Ochoa and two members of Congress, who called on the Border Patrol, which is now a part of the Department of Homeland Security, to allow the passengers to proceed.
The passengers were ordered to get off the busses and enter the Border Patrol offices, where they refused to provide the documentation officials were demanding.
"They were asked for their identification but the passengers felt it was racial profiling and exercised their right to remain silent," Bicchieri said. "Almost everyone on both busses are people of color."
The Border Patrol said it didn't know if any passengers were detained. Bicchieri said he 'didn't know' if any of the passengers are illegal aliens.
The Freedom Rides will lobby Congress on three points, according to spokesman Jaime Martinez in San Antonio.
"Citizenship for all immigrants who are in this country, the right to reunite families, and the right to protect workers on the job."
Martinez says there are an estimated three million illegal aliens, or 'immigrant workers' as the activists call them, currently working in the United States. Several measures have been introduced in Congress to grant some form of legal status to those who have been here for a certain period of time, have held a job, and meet certain other requirements.
"This shows exactly why these laws are needed," Bicchieri said. "People who are working, paying taxes, contributing into this economy, contributing to this society, should not worry that when they drive to another part of the country they live in, that they will be stopped, and harassed, and asked for papers."
Bicchieri said 'if a group of Boy Scouts' had been traveling down the same route, "they wouldn't have been stopped and asked for documentation."
The two bus loads of activists still plan to spend the night in San Antonio, although their arrival will be delayed several hours by the incident. They then plan to travel to Washington D.C, first making stops in
Austin and Dallas to meet with supporters.
We need to find out 'which' two members of Congress and applaud them!!!
5
posted on
09/26/2003 3:23:16 PM PDT
by
JustPiper
(Who is Minding Our Border's!!! 1-800- Shock Fences!!!)
To: JustPiper
Any info on how much wealth is shipped out of country to our neighbors to the south??
To: JustPiper
7
posted on
09/26/2003 3:25:17 PM PDT
by
Cindy
To: Cindy
I believe Marine Inspector was given the boot.
To: ProtectorOfTwo
9
posted on
09/26/2003 3:27:53 PM PDT
by
Cindy
To: JustPiper
EL PASO, Texas - Two buses carrying nearly 100 people making a "Freedom Ride"....
Were 50 of 'em Democratic members of the Texas legislature on their way to Oklahoma?
To: JustPiper
This is a golden opportunity for coyotes bringing truckloads of illegals across the border. If stopped, just claim it's another "Freedom Ride".
11
posted on
09/26/2003 3:33:25 PM PDT
by
Argus
To: JustPiper
It's time for American's to organize a ("Get off our Back!") Caravan of buses to Mexico City and demand that Viscente Fox, stop trying to shove the responsibility for feeding and providine jobs for his over sexed and contraceptive challenged people off of President Bush and the American people.
It's time Mexico grew up and behaved like an adult.
12
posted on
09/26/2003 3:33:53 PM PDT
by
F.J. Mitchell
(Where will refugees find sanctuary, when the one world government dream, turns nightmare?)
To: JustPiper
Don't worry...Everything is going to be fine. </sarcasm
U.S. Embassy in Mexico City PRESS RELEASE
U.S.-Mexico Border Partnership
Joint Statement on Progress Achieved San Diego, Apr. 24, 2003
When President George W. Bush and President Vicente Fox met in Monterrey, Mexico on March 22, 2002, they endorsed a Border Partnership accord that was signed by Santiago Creel, Secretary of Governance, and Colin Powell, Secretary of State. This accord was accompanied by a 22-point plan that outlined specific actions that would be taken to create a smart border for the 21st century, one that embraces technology and enhanced bilateral cooperation to ensure the secure flow of people and goods and the development of a secure and sufficient infrastructure necessary to facilitate the growing trade between Mexico and the United States, to promote legitimate travel across the border, and to protect against crime and terrorism.
Respecting the sovereignty of each party and in light of the principle of mutual responsibility, various agencies and departments in our two countries have worked hard - in conjunction with state and local governments and private-sector stakeholders - to achieve the aims of this plan. We are pleased with the tremendous progress achieved over the past year. Yet, we are just at the initial steps; there is more to be done. We must work to reduce bottlenecks and crossing delays for the legitimate flow of people and goods; we must work to strengthen our countries' national security; we must continue to work together to ensure prosperity for our countries.
Secure Infrastructure
In order to coordinate the infrastructure development plans, while improving the use of existing systems, Mexico and the United States have agreed to harmonize our planning systems and to better communicate between border-control agencies at ports of entry. Both governments are also examining modeling techniques and procedures to ensure that our border infrastructure is able to meet the demands placed on it by border communities and commerce.
The Border Partnership also calls upon Mexico and the United States to examine trans-border infrastructure and communication and transportation networks and their associated vulnerabilities in order to identify critical trans-border infrastructure protection deficiencies, and to take measures to remedy them. To seek to accomplish this, we have formed a bilateral steering committee and developed an infrastructure protection framework. We have also established sector-focused working groups in the areas of energy, telecommunications, transportation, dams, public health, and agriculture. These groups are tasked with identifying critical infrastructures with trans-border implications; developing protection priorities; and taking compatible steps to eliminate or mitigate vulnerabilities each country has in its own territory.
Secure Flow of People
Since signing the Border Partnership, Mexico and the United States have made significant progress in strengthening border security measures in both our countries. Through cooperative efforts and based on sound risk management principles, we are working to ensure safe, orderly and secure travel for legitimate border crossers. These bilateral actions will be further enhanced by the recent merging of the U.S. agencies responsible for the border into the new Department of Homeland Security, the formation of which provides the Mexican government with one point of contact for border security matters.
To encourage and promote low-risk travel, both pedestrian and vehicular, through congested ports of entry, the United States plans to expand, by using state-of-the-art technology, the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI). In conjunction with this expansion, the United States extended in February the enrollment period from one year to two years. The United States also plans to reduce the waiting period for issuance of the SENTRI card to 2 months or less by June. Further, plans are underway to establish the first dedicated pedestrian lane at the San Ysidro port of entry.
The United States and Mexico plan to accelerate their border safety collaboration to safeguard migrants by placing additional personnel and life-saving equipment along the border, placing special attention to the "high-risk" Arizona - Sonora corridor. Training of immigration officials and law enforcement authorities from both countries in life-saving techniques is underway. Equipment and additional resources necessary to support these efforts are in place as both governments focus together on protecting lives and preventing deaths. The authorities of both countries plan to continue to work jointly to arrest and prosecute smugglers who place migrants at risk.
Secure Flow of Goods
Based on a longstanding relationship of cooperation and mutual assistance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the General Customs Administration of Mexico (GCAM) have begun the implementation of those action items designed to guarantee the secure and efficient flow of trade between our nations.
For purposes of developing and implementing initiatives identified in the U.S./Mexico Border Partnership Plan, CBP and GCAM have created three special working groups: the Border Working Group, the Enforcement Working Group, and the Technology & Customs Procedures Working Group. These groups have been meeting quarterly and are in constant communication. A Coordinating Committee leads and monitors all activities.
These groups have been working on a broad range of initiatives, namely:
harmonizing and extending the hours of service, in coordination with our trade communities, at the ports of entry located at our common border;
working to implement the Advanced Passenger Information System in Mexico that will collect and share data pertaining to air passengers arriving into and departing from Mexico and the United States;
deploying gamma ray machines at our railroad crossings;
expanding programs and partnerships with the private sector, such as the Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition (BASC), the Customs - Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Mexico's Compliant Importer/Exporter Program (110 of the 300 largest traders, that account for 66 percent of our bilateral trade, have already been certified by this program);
exchanging core data on every transaction occurring through our common border in an electronic environment;
testing and implementing cutting edge technology such as electronic seals;
conducting joint investigations concerning fraudulent trade, which have led to significant seizures of illegally transshipped or undervalued goods;
developing systems to monitor in-transit shipments through our territories; and,
seizing illegal cash transported by air passengers.
CBP and GCAM are also currently working to develop hi-tech dedicated lanes, which will be made available only to those large companies willing to go the extra mile in securing their shipments. These dedicated lanes will expedite and facilitate the border crossing process, thus reducing the cost of doing business. We intend to open the first dedicated lane in El Paso/Juárez during 2003. The project will be evaluated to insure that it is both secure and efficient. Once we reach an acceptable level of confidence, we plan to replicate dedicated lanes throughout the U.S. - Mexico border.
Next Steps
Our two governments are committed to building an efficient border that simultaneously facilitates legitimate travel, goods, and services on which our economies depend while assuring the security of our two nations. Both sides recognize that many challenges lie ahead. Nonetheless, we are confident that the Border Partnership accord is the vehicle to attain the spirit of cooperation of our two presidents. We will continue our joint work to increase security, minimize delays at ports of entry and build a border that keeps pace with our growing partnership.
Tom Ridge Secretary of Homeland Security United States
Santiago Creel Miranda Secretary of Governance Mexico --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press Menu Press Office Tel. 5080-2000, ext.2253, Fax 5080-2892 http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov Main Menu
13
posted on
09/26/2003 3:34:38 PM PDT
by
Pro-Bush
To: F.J. Mitchell
It's time for American's to organize a ("Get off our Back!") Caravan of buses to Mexico CityThat would be pointless. What we need are busses of angry US citizens decending on the US capitol to demand the securing of our national borders and the arrest and deportation of all illegal aliens.
14
posted on
09/26/2003 3:40:04 PM PDT
by
SpyGuy
To: JustPiper
I think you misread that paragraph, the two congressman are the bad guys!
To: JustPiper
"Our immigration laws need a road to citizenship." Our immigration LAWS already have a "road to citizenship." What our laws do not have--and MUST NEVER HAVE--are a "road to citizenship" for those whose first act upon entering the US is to violate our LAWS.
16
posted on
09/26/2003 3:42:46 PM PDT
by
SpyGuy
To: JustPiper
Federal Immigration and Nationality Act
Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii)
Encouraging and Harboring Illegal Aliens
It is a violation of law for any person to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection in any place, including any building or means of transportation, any alien who is in the United States in violation of law. HARBORING MEANS ANY CONDUCT THAT TENDS TO SUBSTANTIALLY FACILITATE AN ALIEN TO REMAIN IN THE U.S. ILLEGALLY. The sheltering need not be clandestine, and harboring covers aliens arrested outdoors, as well as in a building. This provision includes harboring an alien who entered the U.S. legally but has since lost his legal status.
17
posted on
09/26/2003 3:46:44 PM PDT
by
steplock
(www.FOCUS.GOHOTSPRINGS.com)
To: All
This is from my local contact:
Bush Drops All Pretense of Border Enforcement To Mexicans, the Border is a Speed Bump.... To Others, It is Not Even That
Border Patrol Releases Everyone
September 26 -- According to reliable sources, the Bush administration has decided to stop enforcing immigration laws. Border Patrol Agents have told American Patrol that Mexicans are sent back across the border only to cross the next day. Now, Other Than Mexicans (OTMs) are released inside the U.S. We reported that this policy was in place in Arizona. We have now learned that the same policy is being employed in Texas and probably all along the border.
GO to
AmericanPatrol
for full story on Bush opening the Mexican Border wide open and for all other news on the MEXICAN INVASION of the USA and CONQUEST OF AZTLAN(Southwest USA)
We have now learned that the same policy is being employed in Texas and probably all along the border.
SEE YOU ALL TOMMORROW MOURNING!!!!! THE DAY IS LATE AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!!!! LETS SPEAK UP TOMMORROW MOURNING PEOPLE!!!!!! BRING FRIENDS RAIN OR SHINE!!!!!! THE Dirksen building has a COVERED SIDEWALK.
18
posted on
09/26/2003 3:48:50 PM PDT
by
JustPiper
(Who is Minding Our Border's!!! 1-800- Shock Fences!!!)
To: Cindy
Bump Cindy thank you!
19
posted on
09/26/2003 3:49:41 PM PDT
by
JustPiper
(Who is Minding Our Border's!!! 1-800- Shock Fences!!!)
To: ProtectorOfTwo
Other Freeper's have these stats. I know it seems we are trying to develop wealth from their oil. Also I heard today on Reuter's that they feel the jobs for Tequila bottling should be in Mexico and President Bush has intervened to keep those bottling jobs here but he lets them ride, literally!
20
posted on
09/26/2003 3:51:42 PM PDT
by
JustPiper
(Who is Minding Our Border's!!! 1-800- Shock Fences!!!)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 ... 181-197 next last
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.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson