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American vigilanties fight illegal immigration Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=8054935http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=8054935
Foes of Illegal Immigration to Patrol Mexico Border
Thu Mar 31, 2005 06:34 PM ET
By David Schwartz
PHOENIX (Reuters) - The dusty Arizona city known for the Earps and Clantons, Doc Holliday and a famous shoot-out at the O.K. Corral is about to become the setting for a showdown over the border state's most hotly contested political issue: illegal immigration.
Hundreds of volunteers are expected to rally on Friday in Tombstone, Arizona, to begin a month-long project organizers say will help spot illegal entrants coming from Mexico, but opponents say raises fears of vigilantism.
Backers say the Minuteman Project, named after militia that fought during the American Revolution, wants to focus national attention on the long U.S.-Mexico border. They express frustration with what they see as the federal government's failure to stop a flood illegal newcomers.
"This is a good, old-fashioned political protest," said Chris Simcox, a project organizer. "That seems to be the only way to get our government to pay attention to this serious domestic issue."
Opponents say such efforts detract from a serious discussion of comprehensive immigration reform and interfere with existing border patrol efforts. Critics are also wary about the potential for violence and vigilante-style justice.
Mexican President Vicente Fox said this month his government would use legal means against such groups, known in Mexico as "immigrant hunters."
"Let's all hope it doesn't spin out of control and become ugly. It certainly could fan the flames of what is a very volatile issue," said Doris Meissner, former commissioner of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.
"This project is a horrendously dangerous waste of time," said Jennifer Allen, executive director of the Border Action Network, formed to protect human rights along the border. "We need comprehensive reform so that immigrants don't need to risk their lives to come to this country."
The Minuteman Project comes as Arizona has emerged as the spotlight state in the debate about illegal immigration.
560,000 CAUGHT CROSSING
Border Patrol agents nabbed nearly 560,000 illegal immigrants on the roughly 350-mile stretch of Arizona's border with Mexico last fiscal year, more than in any other state. Still more die in the scorching desert heat -- 180 people last fiscal year.
Arizona voters last year approved "Proposition 200," an initiative that attempts to crack down on illegal immigrants.
The measure blocks illegal immigrants from receiving certain public benefits and makes government workers who fail to report their cases subject to a fine and jail time.
The law, now under court challenge, also requires individuals to prove U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and show identification when casting a ballot.
Last week, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano for the second time send an invoice to the federal government seeking some $196 million to cover the costs of housing immigrant inmates in the state's prison system.
"Arizona taxpayers carry an enormous burden for the federal government's lack of operational control of the border," said Napolitano, in a prepared statement.
Others point to the drain on the state health care and education systems.
Bruce Merrill, a pollster and Arizona State University professor, said his research has shown a growing public dismay about the immigration issue.
"There is no question that as the economy has gotten tougher, there has been more concern about illegal immigration," he said. "There's a perception that these people are coming here and taking away jobs. Then it becomes emotional, whether it's true or not."
Efforts like the Minuteman Project tap into a deep well of public frustration on the U.S. side of the border, he said.
"As the issue escalates, it becomes a high visibility issue and you would think that it has to get the federal government's attention in the long run," he said.
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