‘Homeland Security’ rescinds plan to deputize vigilantes
By
Ruth Vela
San Diego, Calif.
Published Jul 28, 2005 2:28 AM
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.
Articles copyright 1995-2012 Workers World.
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.
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