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.

[JustPiper]

What the hell is Fox doing in power if he cannot do anything but send over his people to America?

Somehow this got screwed up Harpo. WE have President FOX and they have President Bush!!!

[JustPiper]

Amen Jeff, wish more would think like you!

[JustPiper]

Funny, thats what they were saying at the counter protest to us today!

[JustPiper]

ADMIN MODERATOR

Who is that masked man? ;)

[mvpel]

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

Uhh... GO BACK TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY AND APPLY FOR AN IMMIGRANT VISA AT THE US CONSULATE, MAYBE?????

Geez.

[Jeff Head]

I believe more and more...by the millions...are coming to feel and think this way.

I pray that there are numbers enough and that it occurrs quickly enough to make a difference soon.

Otherwise we may face situations like those depicted in my fictional Dragon's Fury Series of novels...which is exactly why I depict them there, in the hopes of spreading the word.

[FITZ]

What the hell is Fox doing in power if he cannot do anything but send over his people to America?

A few weeks ago --- around the July elections in Mexico, there was an opinion piece in the Mexican newspapers discussing why Fox has done nothing to improve the economy in Mexico for the majority of the Mexican people ---- apparently his economic plan was to keep the economy for them very bad so they would have to leave their country, ensure that they lose their own homes and lands, become completely impoverished and come to the USA to work as cheap labor and send dollars to Mexico. Fox's PAN party lost 25% of it's Congressional seats in July ---- it seems that many Mexicans aren't that impressed with his plans for them.

[Howie]

"Meanwhile they send $12 BILLION back to good ole Mexico!"
Coming soon to a Bank of America near you: Free, full-service checking to Mexican immigrants, no-questions-asked after showing a consular ID card. (don't tell any Gringoes)

[Fraulein]

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

He decides to stop enforcing immigration laws while at the same time he claims to be fighting a war against terrorism. Makes no sense.

[Fraulein]

Why don't they address the real problem, the injustice of current policies toward Mexican People, by the Mexican Government.

So true. We don't see them going to Fox making any demands, now do we?

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

Bump

[LA Conservative]

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

According to Tom McClintock, illegal immigrants in California ALONE cost more than $2 Billion, can you just imagine the total cost to society for all illegal immigrants across the country. No wonder why our infrastructure investments have been deferred. We've had to pay the present costs of healthcare, education, and law enforcement costs for people that draw heavily from society, but contribute little in the form of taxes.

[JustPiper]

Bump! And add that to those other illegals too! I work in pharmacy and see many Arabas coming in with medical cards!

[JustPiper]

What I meant was the Dims will benefit from this because the RINOs are so negligent.

[JustPiper]

This explains why the Unions also abandoned us long ago!

[JustPiper]

At their rally here in Chicago yesterday they were saying they were going to get CA and Texas back!

[JustPiper]

Fitz I had to see them load up at least 1/2 dozen buses here in Chicago and then find out the Unions are the ones paying for it!

[JustPiper]

Someone's answer to this was unique, in a thread today Rep. Kolbe of Ariz got a delivery that will leave an indeliable message! Someone bagged up the garbage along the border and left it at 'his' front door!

[JustPiper]

The ride may be peaceful, albiet smelly, but yesterday at the Chgo. rally they were getting all riled up and loud!

[JustPiper]

Could you please change the title to:
The Daily Freedom Ride thread?