‘Homeland Security’ rescinds plan to deputize vigilantes

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner told the Associated Press in a recent interview that his agency was looking to promote “citizen involvement” in assisting the Border Patrol in securing the country’s southern border.

According to Bonner, the idea came after noting how eager volunteers were to stop illegal immigration. “It is actually as a result of seeing that there is the possibility in local border communities, and maybe even beyond, of having citizens that would be willing to volunteer to help the Border Patrol,” Bonner said, referring to the people who converged on the Arizona-Mexico border as part of the vigilante Minuteman Project that was initiated there in April of this year.

Currently underway in Campo, Calif., a small town just east of San Diego, is “Operation Border Watch.” This group, initiated by former Minuteman James Chase, has announced plans to “patrol” the area through Aug. 7.

A progressive coalition of San Diego groups called Gente Unida has also been present in Campo to protest the project since the arrival of the vigilante group the weekend of July 16 and has plans to remain in Campo throughout the racists’ stay.

Border Patrol officials have generally criticized civilian efforts to police borders, saying that it was the job of trained law enforcement officers. But in San Diego the Border Patrol has given credit to Chase’s group for the apprehension of two undocumented immigrants on July 24, although Chase says his group reported more.

Chase said he called the Border Patrol July 24 after he picked up a man and a woman hitchhiking. Although the border watchers are only supposed to report “illegal” activity, Chase said he was tired and didn’t realize they were undocumented immigrants when he picked them up. He said he became suspicious and notified the Border Patrol once they were in the car.

Also suspicious is the recent shooting of two immigrants attempting to cross the border with a group of eight people, two of them children. When the group was about 20 yards south of the fence, they were approached by a man who had his face covered. They tried to flee but the assailant shouted at them in Spanish not to run, and fired.

“If he were a bandit, he would have grab bed us and taken everything,” said Rivera, one of the victims, adding that he was not robbed. “He only shot at us and ran.”

When asked for his opinion on the groups of civilian volunteers suggested by Bonner, Enrique Morones of Border Angels—a San Diego group that gives water to migrants who cross the Cali f ornia-Mexico border—and a member of the Gente Unida coalition, stated, “It’s a recipe for disaster. ... You’ll have all of these unqualified yahoos being given license to promote hate.”

Bonner characterized the idea of an auxiliary as “an area we’re looking at,” and a spokeswoman said it hadn’t been discussed yet with top Homeland Security officials.

But a day later, his superiors at the Depart ment of Homeland Security made the following statement: “There are currently no plans by the Department of Homeland Security to use civilian volunteers to patrol the border.”

Despite this statement, the DHS has helped to spread this racist movement, even to places with no discernible international borders, like Tennessee.

At least 40 anti-immigration groups have popped up nationally, inspired by the Minuteman Project.

In addition, the Minuteman Project has generated chapters in 18 states—from California to Utah, Minnesota and Maine. The Tennessee group and others like it have no direct affiliation, but share a common goal of promoting hate.