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Home Front: Politix
Humanitarian Groups: Border Patrol Surveillance Hampers Aid Efforts to Distressed 'Migrants'
2005-06-13
From the Associated Press...
TUCSON, Ariz. — Humanitarian groups setting up emergency camps in the desert to try to save some of the illegal immigrants who die trying to cross the border said Thursday that Border Patrol surveillance will hinder their efforts. Churches and humanitarian groups have set up camps dubbed "Arks of the Covenant" — one in Arizona and one in northern Sonora, Mexico — to provide food, water and medical help to immigrants who otherwise might die in the desert's summer heat.

But the Rev. John Fife of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson said stricter Border Patrol surveillance will stop immigrants from seeking help because many immigrants will not enter a camp if they see a Border Patrol agent parked nearby.
Because, unlike the good Rev. Fife (a particularly unfortunate choice of name), the illegals are not stupid.
The Border Patrol has increased patrols and agents recently, especially in California and Texas, making Arizona the busiest point along the Mexican border for illegal crossers. Michael Nicley, who took over as interim chief of the Border Patrol's Tucson sector last August, said he has told officials that "there are no free zones in the Tucson sector. There is not an avenue of ingress where Border Patrol agents do not patrol."
He actually sounds like he wants to do his job.
He added that he had "no interest in keeping them from providing humanitarian aid. Quite the contrary." He said people who need help "time and time again" seek out Border Patrol agents and the presence of an agent within shouting distance is the quickest way to get an immigrant emergency medical care.

The Border Patrol said 172 migrant deaths in Arizona last fiscal year, while critics said at least 221 people died, many because of heat as summer temperatures in the desert rose up to 110 degrees.

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 and urge reform.
Posted by:Pappy

#10  SPoD,

Cause there are many in the Latin community who are loyal to their raza/race, sangre/blood rather than the greater identity of citizen of the United States of America. Since the practice worked so well for so many decades in the Black community, the politicians are playing the same game in the Hispanic community. Not withstanding the political and social cul-de-sac much of the black leadership has gotten their communities into, there are the same leadership types in the Hispanic community following the same game plan which demands homage to their idenity which in this case manifests itself in tolerating criminal activity, illegal immigration.
Posted by: Ebbereck Uneregum5631   2005-06-13 13:15  

#9  Rev. John Fife of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson should set up assistance points SOUTH of the border. Enjoy your stay. BTW, in accordence with the Mexican Constitution, they can toss your ass out without cause.
Posted by: Ebbereck Uneregum5631   2005-06-13 13:04  

#8  What a bunch of crap. Try getting into Ecuador or Costa Rica illegally and see what happens.

The side bar to this is a very interesting question:
Normally politicians and these high profile human rights groups play to their constituency. If the people coming into the US are here illegally, why are they being considered a constituency? Me thinks that this is all a big ploy for massive voter fraud at some point or there is some oddball underground movement to have the Southwestern US returned to Mexico.

I for one do not understand why politicians are pandering to a group of people who THEORETICALLY do not have the write to vote and are here in the this country illegally.

Someone throw me a bone, I am completely clueless on why we have so many elected officials kissing the ring of the illegal alien business.
Posted by: TheSockPuppetofDoom   2005-06-13 10:53  

#7  ... a coalition of human rights groups and churches called No More Deaths

Good luck with that plan, boys...
Posted by: mojo   2005-06-13 10:22  

#6  Your right Crazy, these people are illegal immigrants. They are breaking the law. If you assist them in doing that, you are breaking the law. Moreover the good reverand will probalbly rethink the whole issue the next time he has to drive his wife or little girl 120 miles to a hospital since they have all closed down near the border, because only 50% of their clients pay for services.
Posted by: bigjim-ky   2005-06-13 09:54  

#5  These are not 'immigrants'. They are illegal aliens......

And if they won't enter a camp because a border patrol is nearby then they damn well don't really need it do they?
Posted by: CrazyFool   2005-06-13 09:00  

#4  But the Rev. John Fife of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson said stricter Border Patrol surveillance will stop immigrants from seeking help because many immigrants will not enter a camp if they see a Border Patrol agent parked nearby.

Problem solved!
Posted by: tu3031   2005-06-13 08:45  

#3  How about setting out signs in northern Mexico saying "Stay Home"?
Posted by: Spot   2005-06-13 08:39  

#2  ...Hey, by all means set up 'Arks Of The Covenant'. Remember what happened the LAST time somebody opened one of those:
www.foggydoggy.com/RAIDERS.gif

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski   2005-06-13 07:42  

#1  "People who want to have their cake and eat it too" coming out in support of "people who want to have their cake and eat it too."

Freeloaders of the world, unite against the tyranny of the achievers who demand to keep the fruits of their labor!
Posted by: Ptah   2005-06-13 05:36  

00:00