Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, in signing last week's bill that makes potential criminals out of people with a swarthy complexion, said indignantly that citizens of her state "have been more than patient waiting for Washington to act."
She must be referring to Lou "Still Not Back on TV" Dobbs and his buddies, for swiftly killing comprehensive immigration reform three years ago, legislation even the congenitally clueless Dubya wanted.
That's because the Feds ARE acting, all right, in Arizona. There's a small occupying army in southern Arizona. It's called the Border Patrol.
When we came to Arizona from the Seattle area not long ago and took a vacation rental in the sajuaro-filled desert, my wife and I had no idea we were going to hear Border Patrol helicopters buzzing the area all night. Nor did we know we'd be stopped by the ubiquitous Border Patrol on I-19 every time we entered and exited the Interstate.
We were not expecting to hear on "The CBS Evening News" that 250,000 "illegals" had been detained in our remote Border Patrol sector -- in just the past three months.
Nor did we expect to see helipads and Wackenhut Security roundup buses (with bars on the windows) parked out in the desert near the remote burg of Arivaca as we headed out to go birdwatching in the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge.
We had inadvertently chosen to vacation in Border Patrol Central.
Between Tucson and just north of Amado (where we were staying) lies the retirement town of Green Valley. I'd heard of the Minutemen -- the anti-immigrant forerunners of the Tea Party -- but thought they were a joke more than anything else.
Wrong. They have an active chapter in Green Valley, and they fancy themselves as the "eyes and ears" of the Border Patrol, one eagle-eyed Minuteman proudly told a Tucson daily.
The drive out into the remote and desolate desert just north of the Mexican border, from I-19 to Arivaca, is an eye-opening experience, especially for a couple from the far-off Pacific Northwest, where we live within sight of the Canadian border but rarely see the Border Patrol.
All along that lonely highway, hundreds of empty plastic milk jugs are strewn along the road -- left by Mexicans coming across the border at night. No sign of life, though, during the day - besides all the white Border patrol SUV's, that is.
But an 81-year-old docent/birdwatcher at the Buenos Aires preserve told us he sees Mexican refugees out on the trail often during the day. We asked him what he does when he encounters these "dangerous illegal aliens" while leading birder hikes.
"Nothing; they never bother us," he shrugged.
While we were down in Southern Arizona, humanitarian groups had started leaving bottles full of water along that lonely road in the desert so the desperate and parched "illegals": wouldn't die of thirst. The Border Patrol started arresting and detaining them.
So tell me again, Gov. Brewer, about Washington "failing to act" to keep Mexicans out. I could use a good laugh.
At least, Madame Governor, you might have the decency to thank the army of federal Border Patrol officers for doing a dirty, thankless job out in your desert.
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Follow Bill Mann on Twitter: www.twitter.com/newsmann
Or like most rich people she never asked for their SS card because she doesn't pay it for them.
Seriously does anyone not see the laws are being questioned by the people whos repondsibile for this problem is aiding and abetting the Illegals.
I guess we would be better with Ilegals comming here,commiting a criminal act just to get here and when they make it they get the red carpet treatment,any other country would have arresrted them.
Im not against Legal immigration but I don't think a criminal act should be rewarded when others have to learn English,history Contutiton,and the illegals have to make a deal and pay their way by carrying drugs taped to their bodies and then put in drop houses until you are paid.
Its time to secure these borders ,Obama doesn't think we are at war but it is?The USA issues 1.5 million green cards and visas every year?Most "illegals have crimminal records and they won't even bother with legall ways .
and honestly alot of illegals come here to escape the daily violence that they are exposed to from the lack of protection from their home country? But even this can't be an excuse for breaking and refusing to enforce the existing laws that is supposed to regulate this area of the laws and when the Feds won't do it then let the states alone?
The Lewinsky affair distracted the Executive and other lawmakers from pursuing security issues of the time. Have we not learned this?
Now we have had the same with healthcare reform and many other bills preventing those in charge from discussing important issues; coming to consensus; and getting the job done.
Say you got it covered...c'ya
I agree with your general point, momcat54, but I assume you mean the SOUTHERN border states. Like Mr. Mann, I live on the northern border - in fact, I can practically see Canada from my house! - and I assume they're around, but they're certainly not "everywhere."
AZ has about 4,000 of the 20,000 Border Patrol agents available. Not that many for the many miles needing patrolling.
Then, if an Arizona law enforcement officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is an alien unlawfully present in the United States, the officer must make a “reasonable attempt…when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person.” (SB 1070, §2). Importantly, SB 1070 creates a presumption of lawful presence if an individual presents: (1) a valid Arizona driver’s license, (2) a valid Arizona I.D. card, (3) a valid tribal I.D. card, and (4) any valid federal or state I.D. that requires proof of legal presence before issuance.
You know - you almost succeed in sounding reasonable except your basic premise is entirely based on fantasy! Bottom line, buttercup - local law enforcement does NOT have the constitutional right to enforce immigration law, only the federal government does. So no matter how "reasonable" you try to make it sound - they just don't have the authority. Good try though!
You DO know that those 40,000+ illegals didn't sneak into Arizona during the past 1 1/2 years, right.
Typical Gooper. Blame everybody else for the problems that we have, and NEVER taking any responsibility for their own shortcomings.
However, he did not so yes, we blame him.
This is an example of how the Border Patrol is being used in Arizona instead of sitting near the international border, there's sitting at the border between two American states harassing American Citizens without cause.