US Border Patrol Helps Illegals Avoid the Minutemen
posted at 1:34 pm on May 9, 2006 by Bryan
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Yes, we’re aware of and working on this story:
While Minuteman civilian patrols are keeping an eye out for illegal border crossers, the U.S. Border Patrol is keeping an eye out for Minutemen — and telling the Mexican government where they are.
According to three documents on the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Web site, the U.S. Border Patrol is to notify the Mexican government as to the location of Minutemen and other civilian border patrol groups when they participate in apprehending illegal immigrants — and if and when violence is used against border crossers.A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman confirmed the notification process, describing it as a standard procedure meant to reassure the Mexican government that migrants’ rights are being observed.
“It’s not a secret where the Minuteman volunteers are going to be,” Mario Martinez said Monday.
“This … simply makes two basic statements — that we will not allow any lawlessness of any type, and that if an alien is encountered by a Minuteman or arrested by the Minuteman, then we will allow that government to interview the person.”
The US government is apparently spying on US citizens and tipping a foreign government about those US citizens’ activities. And not just along the border, according to the Minutemen’s web site:
This article does not report information told to the MCDC media offices that the Border Patrol chiefs have also been passing along intelligence reports to the government of Mexico on the activities of Minutemen not only at the borders, but in locations such as Utah, Nevada, Illinois, Massaschusetts and Tennessee.
Of course, it’s in the Mexican government’s interests to know what the Minutemen are doing in the violence-torn border state of Massachussetts.
I’ve seen several administrations do a lot of outrageous things, but tipping a foreign government to the legal activities of American citizens just might be the most outrageous thing I’ve ever seen any American administration do.
Michelle Malkin has a couple of salient questions about all this. I wonder what tomorrow’s Vent will be about…
Confederate Yankee brings up the “i” word…and it’s not “immigrant.”
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Ok, I’ve about had it now. I really hope all those involved are immediately brought up on spying charges, or conspiracy against the United States.
How friggin’ far have we come from what our Founders intended in this country? I KNOW I am not the only person really ticked about this story.
Vincenzo on May 9, 2006 at 1:43 PM
President Bush must have challenged the US Senate to a race to the bottom … of the latest batch of voter popularity polls.
Jammer on May 9, 2006 at 1:53 PM
OK, I’m here in Massachusetts, where do I sign up for the Minutemen?
When a local politician forwarded a bill to allow illegal aliens to get State support for State colleges, a number of people talked about involking the new rules allowing private citizens to bring suit under RICO (using the statutes addressing aiding and abetting a criminal enterprise) if the bill passed. The bill failed, but it may be time to dust the RICO idea off. I wonder if it could be applied to a federal agency?
Matt Andrade
Jerub Baal on May 9, 2006 at 2:05 PM
Vicenzo,
I’m as ticked off as well.
If we had been informing the Mexican government of *our government’s* activities, we’d be brought up on treason charges.
Who are they there to serve? The American people or the corrupt Mexican government.
I’m outraged.
Lady Heather on May 9, 2006 at 2:25 PM
Haven’t seen this much outrage in a while…..
Mott on May 9, 2006 at 2:32 PM
As a Conservative American who tries to deal with logic,I try not to overreact to many things. That being said, any cooperation with foreign governments against citizens of America in good standing, falls on the highest levels of treason in my book.
In my mind, the reality of this whole situation is our government is complacent in bringing in “slave labor” or “endentured servants” for businesses willing to employt them. I’m hard pressed to believe illegal aliens are the only way many of our industries can run. In the technology field, we’ve been getting along wonderfully with green card programs and work visas. The rest of the work gets outsourced to countries that pay appropriate scale. The same work-visa programs could be applied to Mexicans wishing to make a quick buck in America and bring the money back to their homeland. We don’t HAVE to simply let everyone in under the rug so the guy who mows my grass only has to pay five bucks an hour for his help.
Let’s face it, that’s all we’re really talking about. Noone is begging to let anyone else into this country without rhyme or reason. Are the liberal armies demanding we let every Afghani national into our country no questions asked? Are we giving every Sudanese immigrant a license without documentation? NO. We’re giving Mexicans these benefits so they can get to and from work, and supply a workforce to willing employers who do not wish to play by the rules.
It’s time this country starts buckling down and playing how we demand the rest of the world plays: by the rules.
Vincenzo on May 9, 2006 at 2:43 PM
Isn’t this nice? I mean, you would think these 2 groups should work as a team – with the same goals – keeping as many illegals out of here as possible. But instead, we have border agents blowing the covers of these Minutemen.
I guess these government agents are ticked off because the Minutemen actually do a better job.
The very people who are being paid to secure our borders are actually making it easier for the illegals to get in. It’s like a policeman selling cocaine. Yes, they should be fired – or better yet – charged with espionage. These people are nothing but traitors.
Billy Kess
BillyKess on May 9, 2006 at 3:03 PM
Maybe it’s a case of common sense taking a back seat to National diplomacy. Since we don’t always know the details of what the government knows, what we see when we read this may not be the whole story.
That said, it really does look like the GOP is trying as hard as they can to loose the Congress to the liberals though.
NRA4Freedom on May 9, 2006 at 3:14 PM
Guys, you have to understand. The Minutemen are the living proof that the Border Patrol is inefficient, and these guys want to keep their jobs (and probably the perks that come with it: bribes?)
Ropera on May 9, 2006 at 3:15 PM
I can’t believe anyone commenting here is truly surprised? As far as the Republican Party is concerned, “The bottom’s out of the pot” and conservatives, nay the American people, are being, or have been, sold down the river.
I’m not a conspiracy theorist (read nut), but there must be more going on here between Bush and Fox with regard to the border than meets the eye. What else would explain Bush’s total disregard for our security and for our sovereignty. All I can think of is that Fox has Bush over a barrel…a barrel of Mexican oil! “You want our oil, you take our problems!”
But regardless of the reasons why, if there’s one impeachable offense here it’s a failure to secure our country against this foreign enemy, which Bush swore to do in the Oath of Office. And the man or women who recognizes this fact and exploits it will be the next President of the United States.
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on May 9, 2006 at 3:23 PM
Please make sure the outrage here is communicated to the President, Karl Rove, the Republican National Committee, and key House and Senate leaders, and to our own Congressmen and Senators. We need them to HEAR US on this.
Whoever is responsible for this policy needs to be FIRED, if not prosecuted. If anyone knows how to find out who the responsible party is, please let the rest of us know.
Orcaswa on May 9, 2006 at 3:37 PM
All this because of “undocumented workers”(really it’s votes) Its only about 12 million of them, maybe 30 million ‘undocs’ soon when their families join them. Thats only 10% of the total population of the United States of America…at least that’s our countries name today.
So I’m going ‘undoc’ also. No more renewing my drivers license, no more auto license plate taxes paid by this undoc.
I’m only an undocumented driver in an undocumented car. Heck when I go to the movies??? NO ticket for me…I’m just an undocumented movie goer. I mean what can they do?
Well because it’s me, a legal American of some 16 generations, they will throw me in jail, make me post bond, go to court and convict me of trespass and THATS JUST FOR GOING TO THE MOVIES, UNDOCUMENTED!
Maybe I get off if I pretend not to speak English. Maybe they just let me go ’cause they got nowhere to put criminals like me that aren’t real criminals. Not in their minds. It doesn’t really matter what the law says , does it? Some laws are not real laws. I just wish I knew which were which. I wouldn’t mind free movies.
Good thing I don’t want to do something serious like having freedom to perform treason, aiding and abetting illegal aliens that might want to do my country great harm, or sneaking drugs into the U.S. for your 12 year old neighbor kids to find … THAT might even…make news. No arrests mind you , but might make the news.
Yes, I’m terribly upset by now. This must be stopped.
This is the cancer that will kill America, slowly but surely.
The Minutemen need help, please help somehow.
shooter on May 9, 2006 at 3:43 PM
This blows my fuse. While I don’t think the House Republicans should be punished (they have pretty much been doing the “right thing”), and the RINO Senators and Bush should, I just don’t care anymore.
I voted for Bush twice, and support the effort in Iraq. But if impeachment follows the next election, it will be just what he deserves for ignoring his base.
dman on May 9, 2006 at 3:46 PM
I’ll bet the rank and file Border Patrol guys are livid about this too. For whatever reasons, President Bush has decided pandering to the Mexicans has an upside we’ll all see sometime.
right as rain man on May 9, 2006 at 4:02 PM
Bush and Fox–and much of the ruling class across party lines–want to merge the countries. It’s not just about votes or cheap labor per se. It’s about literally abolishing nation-states.
http://michellemalkin.com/immigration/2005/10/24/11:40.pm
Alex K on May 9, 2006 at 4:22 PM
Time for a third party … and no more flake-outs like Perot.
dman on May 9, 2006 at 4:27 PM
Well, there’s not much for me to say that hasn’t been said already. Due to limited computer access, I seem to get into the comments game rather late, so I’ll throw caution to the wind and try to say something that hasn’t been said already.
My support of President Bush, as it were, is getting rather tenuous. As liberal ideas are being laughed right out of fly-over country, “conservatism” in the beltway and major metropolitan areas seems only to be a matter of degrees anymore. This whole sad situation with immigration is the latest in a list of ways in which the “silent majority” is being ignored.
I don’t have any quick answers, but maybe a viable third-party candidate in 2008 is a start. Regardless, I am seeing more and more red with each passing week.
gryphon202 on May 9, 2006 at 4:59 PM
Talking of “undocumented workers”, we are trying to get my husband’s 70 year old mother over here from the UK to live near us now that she is a widow. (No immediate family still living over there)
We have had to pay fee, after fee, after fee, for her paperwork and “processing” to do it within the law.
When I think that our leaders will give the “undocumented workers” a “get out of jail free” card without having to jump through the legal and financial hoops we’ve had to do, it makes my blood boil.
Lady Heather on May 9, 2006 at 5:09 PM
If those who favor this open border, no border, big- hug Americas concept can’t explain why it’s advantageous, or even tell us what it is and admit that they’re in favor of it, I have to assume that it’s no good for you, me and middle America.
Unlike our politicians, the Minutemen are us. They’re ordinary citizens, mostly retired or using their vacation time to walk around in the heat, stare at the horizon and hopefully keep a few aliens from entering illegally. I like them better than I like illegal aliens, better than the media, and better than politicians. If the Border Patrol is interfering with the Minutemen’s sincere effort, and even endangering their lives, by reporting on them to a FOREIGN GOVERNMENT, it’s time for all undecided politicians to buy some loyalty to this country, or get the hell out of the way. I don’t even want to hear their high, squeaky voices trying to defend this contemtible, outrageous betrayal of honest citizens by their own public servants. I’m sure not going to vote for an open borders advocate ever again. If Ross Perot wants to close the borders and declare a tinfoil hat hootenanny, I’ll vote for him.
NellE on May 9, 2006 at 5:24 PM
Lady Heather, buy her a tourist visa and bring her on over!!
No one cares anymore.
gary on May 9, 2006 at 5:25 PM
I’m with Confederate Yankee. I want more details and those stubborn things called facts. However, should it pan out that Bush actually knew about this(please- I’m not naive, so no name-calling) then I’ll be lobbying my representative to start the proceedings. A year or so under President Cheney sounds pretty good to me.
Physics Geek on May 9, 2006 at 5:35 PM
This is beyond an outrage. This is the kind of thing that pretty much guarantees that I will sit at home this November.
And how does anyone expect us conservatives to stand up for Bush against impeachment when the soon-to-be-majority Democrats inevitably pursue that option, particularly with the president so blatantly ignoring his constitutionally prescribed duties?
thirteen28 on May 9, 2006 at 5:36 PM
I really do not believe this order came from the White House. The Border Patrol has been around for a long, long time. Probably filled with “Friends of Mexico” at it’s
upper echelons. Maybe some vacations in Puerto Vallarto,
Cancun, etc., etc. Lots of money to be made by those that can be currupted. Recently, agents were arrested for being “coyotes” themselves. Who is not to say that some of the higher-ups have not been corrupted as well?
I hope not. However, money “flows” readily across the borders into the hands of those that can be corrupted on this side of the border. Many police officers, truck drivers, etc. have been bribed.
I worked for a national dairy products processor years ago that had to fire two employees (one a truck driver, one a manager) that were engaged in delivering drugs to the United States via the refrigerated truck.
If bribes can occur at the low levels, who can say the bribes can’t occur at the upper levels of law and the upper levels of business? We all know the answer to that.
gary on May 9, 2006 at 5:46 PM
>I really do not believe this order came from the White >House. The Border Patrol has been around for a long, long >time. Probably filled with “Friends of Mexico” at it’s
>upper echelons.
But Bush should have put an end to that, as should any president. The INS got thousands of Americans killed on 9/11; it shouldn’t be at odds with the executive any more than State or CIA, both of which Bush has been trying to take control. And presumably it’s easier to take control of INS (ICE, whatever) than those behemoths.
Anyway, employer sanctions have gone way down since Clinton, that’s got to be Bush’s doing.
Alex K on May 9, 2006 at 6:06 PM
This is a very disturbing story. I’d hope someone takes the opportunity at a public forum to ask DHS Secretary Chertoff to respond to it while the cameras are running.
onebirdiepa on May 9, 2006 at 6:39 PM
Open borders? Merging the hemisphere into a single state? Screw that! If this nonsense goes much further, and it might, the time to talk secession will arrive. Think I’m crazy? It’s happened before. If it happens this time the only parts of the country that will stay with the United States would be the East and West Coast!
The good thing about the illegal immigration fiasco is the House of Representatives. The Senate will have to send their legislation back to the House for approval. If the amnesty crowd sends them a big, steaming hunk of you know what, they’ll shoot it down.
jaleach on May 9, 2006 at 7:26 PM
If the outrage only leads to complaining and talk……
Google over to “Team America PAC” Here is their purpose:
The mission of Team America is to make this issue a significant part of the national political debate and to identify, recruit, and help elect to public office individuals who are committed to enforcing our laws and securing our borders.
The minimum contribution on line is $10. My $10 was insignificant. Yours will be about the same. But if a third of those outraged would help, maybe we could make a difference.
Gotta start somewhere.
Just a little bit of money says more than lots of words.
roydee43 on May 9, 2006 at 7:39 PM
While I wont go so far as to agree with Confed Yank on this…i.e. the “I” word…I must say between a somewhat passive invasion minded mexican government and our own U.S. blinders on government on this latest issue….the long overdue and under reported American backlash on this whole ILLEGAL ALIEN issue may come to the forefront more quickly than even I gathered.
It may be time to make a very visable and armed citizen stand at the border people…the whole southern border.
Terlizzi999 on May 9, 2006 at 7:43 PM
Gorge Bush could have the military on the border with a phone call. Do you really believe he did not order the Border Patrol to stand down?
Julie Meyers head of ICE, no law enforcement experience what so ever and GWB appointed her to the post.
Americans need to Impeach Bush who has failed to enforce the borders for 5 years. All he does is insult us with “Jobs Americans will not do” and calling the minuteman Vigilantes
GWB is a traitor and should be removed from office.
ScottyDog on May 9, 2006 at 9:01 PM
In 1966 I was required to sign up for selective service for the draft. My citizenship required it, or I would go to jail, as many young men discovered.
That selective service ordeal sent me to Vietnam….I am lucky to be alive today and in a sound mind….many are not.
I wonder if the ‘illegals’ have to sign up for selective service and forced at gun point to fight democrat wars. And now a President of the United States oversees an agency of our government……..THAT INFORMS ON ITS CITIZENS TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY!! All that blood running down a Vietnamese trail…….and in all our wars…. for what????????????
LZVandy on May 10, 2006 at 7:22 AM
Unfortunately, I believe the Republicans will pay dearly this year for taking their conservative base for granted. This border issue maybe more than any other exposes the deep unhappiness we have with our leadership and President. When the RINOs start talking tough as we get closer to election time, who’s going to be swayed? I’ve already told my Ohio Senators that they lost my support.
right as rain man on May 10, 2006 at 7:51 AM
Disaffected Bush supporters will not lead the charge to impeach him. We will simply sit back and let it happen – and shake our heads in disgust.
dman on May 10, 2006 at 8:32 AM
Treason
This is behavior I would expect if the Dems controlled border security. If it continues that’s exactly what will happen. SO glad to see Michelle put it on top, I predict this will be THE paramount issue in 08.
Reality Check on May 10, 2006 at 10:05 AM
The sad fact is that Bush has sold us (Conservatives) out. It seems that with his re-election he has done an about face on conservative issues. As a veteran I love and support our military, but Iraq is a fiasco. Our best and brightest are dying for a country and people that could care less about us-we are only infidels after all. Why are they dying? To promote democracy there? Hell, as soon as we leave they will start killing each other again.
The budget seems to keep growing bigger and bigger with no end in sight. Fiscal Conservative?
The deal with the border is the last straw for me. Bush has turned his back on us by refusing to secure the border. As much as we complained about Clinton for failing to recognize the Al-Qaida threat, we will have to do the same for Bush because he failed to secure the border when a nuke was brought in through Mexico. Then he will have something in common with Slick Willy, they both can say “Who me” and look like Alfred E. Neuman.
The sad thing is that the House may face the voters wrath because of Bush’s stupidity and incompetence. I hope that if it does happen they make his life hell for the remainder of his Presidency. Unfortunately, Congress will become self-absorbed with the Bush “scandals” and ignore the threat that Islam and terrorism STILL pose. Because of Bush we could wind up losing Congress AND the Presidency…
hoosier_federalist on May 10, 2006 at 1:44 PM
roydee43,
I love Bay Buchanan and Pat is my favorite (even if I don’t agree with all of his isolationist positions, and despite the ‘Black Bart’ campaign debacle). However, the situation is beyond the ability of renegades to handle. The nation needs ‘mainstream’ politicians to jump ship and start a new party.
Tammy Bruce suggests Zell Miller, Newt Gingrich, Tom Tancredo, Jim Sensenbrenner, and JD Hayworth (?-not sure if JD is on her list). I might add Rudy Guliani – you might not. Point is, this is the kind of political firepower needed to make a serious challenge.
Will the situation get to the point where something like this can happen? Only GWB knows for sure. Can’t happen? Remember the Whigs.
dman on May 10, 2006 at 4:50 PM
Oh, Joe Lieberman was on her list, too.
dman on May 10, 2006 at 4:53 PM
The sick thing is, neither political party will do anything about this. So we are screwed, blued, and tattooed. With Mexican gang symbols, most likely.
clyde on May 10, 2006 at 5:24 PM
Clyde,
When you think about everything that has to go just right to fix the problem, you immediately recognize that it’s impossible for the government to pull it off. They’ve got to build a fence and effectively maintain it, crackdown on employers, crackdown on cities harboring illegal aliens, rid the country of the nonsense that is bilingualism, etc. The list goes on and on. When has government EVER pulled off a plan of this complexity?
The citizens have to take this into their own hands, and that’s a tall order. Too many people will let it slide as long as the ballgame is still on television and they can buy a six pack at the store. I hate to sound elitist, but it’s probably true.
jaleach on May 10, 2006 at 5:31 PM
As I said on another thread, the Republicans WILL lose the house and senate if they insist on continuing to play this politically correct bull**** game with their base. And it will be good riddance. It’s really too bad that our elected leaders don’t listen to us. we could solve the problem in a few easy steps. they just don’t have the spine to do it.
pullingmyhairout on May 10, 2006 at 5:42 PM
George W. Bush does not personally “police” the border patrol supervisors. We need to quit laying every screw up in government at the feet of the President or be prepared for President Hillary in 08. That is just exactly what the demonrats are planning on. Let this story play out and see where it goes before drawing conclusions. Don’t forget who the “prominent” players were in the illegal immigration marches were….commies, demos, commies…and Ted Kennedy.
gary on May 10, 2006 at 6:33 PM
Tammy Bruce’s list sounds great to me. I’ll vote for them today. Give me a ballot–in English, please.
NellE on May 11, 2006 at 10:48 AM
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