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Tensions Increase In USA/Mexico Border Area
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Tensions Increase In Border Area
By Michael Gaddy
Published 05. 28. 02 at 21:52 Sierra Time
With last weeks firing on a US Border Patrol Agent by Mexican Forces inside the U.S., along with previous reports of incursions into the village of San Pedro some 60+ miles inside the border, tensions are on the rise among residents of the area. Despite these alarming violations of US sovereignty, Federal Agencies seem to be assuming a "business as usual" approach.
When I contacted the Tucson office of the U.S. Border Patrol to inquire concerning the previously reported incursion on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation, I received the now familiar Clintonesque reply: "I personally have no knowledge of that." Tohono O'odham Police Spokesperson, Dana Holly did say that she "could not comment, even if it were true." She did say she was sure the Chief would want to talk with me, but some 96 hours later, he failed to respond.
Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado sent a letter to Mexican President, Vicente Fox, requesting an explanation for the "incursions" of Mexican Forces into U.S. territory.
The theory universally held by law enforcement officials, including several Border Patrol Agents who would speak only on condition of anonymity, is the Mexican Forces are assisting the illegal drug trade and aiding illegals that cross into the US. One 20-year veteran said that many times he has been ordered away from "hotspots" or high traffic areas to spots where such traffic would be virtually impossible due to the terrain. In other words, he said "high volume traffic areas are left free from surveillance while areas not used are heavily patrolled." When I asked him the origin of these orders he said he is always told, "it comes from the top." Another Agent patrolling the area of Nogales, Arizona, from a bicycle, told me the same thing happens routinely in his sector.
The area that is seeing the largest increase in this form of traffic is the shared border that is the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. The tribal lands actually exist in both Mexico and the United States. Because the Tribal Lands are considered sovereign and the terrain so rugged, actual patrolling in the area is limited. Drug and illegal smugglers, known as "coyotes" on the reservation, use this area extensively to move their contraband into this country.
Many of the Indians who inhabit this area tell me the majority of checkpoints along the border are usually on the Mexican side. The Mexican authorities are much more heavily armed than Border Patrol Agents are. Most all Mexicans carry automatic rifles and have vehicle mounted Squad Automatic Weapons. They make extensive use of Humv's and ATV's. The Mexican authorities engage in what could only be called extortion with the members of the tribe who seek to pass to visit relatives or conduct business on the Mexican side of the reservation. One lady told me that she always had to carry at least twice the amount of food or other commodities as the Mexican authorities always took at least half of everything and on some occasions had taken it all. One tribal member whose pickup truck was stolen on the U.S. side and taken into Mexico was charged $500 upon entering Mexico to retrieve his property and was told it would be an additional $500 when he crossed back into the United States.
Considering the basis for most all illegal activities is money, one could only surmise the incursions into this country by Mexican forces would be to facilitate Illegal drugs and illegal aliens into this country. I have been told the going price to transport an illegal from the Mexican side of the reservation to the area of Casa Grande, Arizona is $500 per each.
The liberal do-gooder element in Southern Arizona has demanded water be placed in strategic locations because of the illegals that routinely die in the desert heat. Mexican authorities sell maps to these water caches. Now this same element is demanding that lights be placed to assist those who cross at night! Farmers and Ranchers in Southern Arizona are sued by this element for daring to protect their private property from these illegals. One farmer who did no more than hold several illegals at gunpoint while awaiting the arrival of the Border Patrol now faces a civil lawsuit for his actions.
The Mayor and other officials of the Mexican Border town of Agua Prieta are advertising on radio and taking out ads in the paper instructing those who illegally enter the United States to use the court system to stay in this country. These Mexican authorities are angered because the U.S. Border Patrol brings illegal aliens captured in the US to Agua Prieta and drops them off. These authorities openly boast of using their tactics to completely clog the U.S. Judicial System.
The only action we see from our elected officials is their continued efforts to sneak legislation by the American People that would make all these criminal activities legal.
http://www.sierratimes.com/02/05/29/armg052902.htm
c 2002 SierraTimes.com
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
By Michael Gaddy
Published 05. 28. 02 at 21:52 Sierra Time
With last weeks firing on a US Border Patrol Agent by Mexican Forces inside the U.S., along with previous reports of incursions into the village of San Pedro some 60+ miles inside the border, tensions are on the rise among residents of the area. Despite these alarming violations of US sovereignty, Federal Agencies seem to be assuming a "business as usual" approach.
When I contacted the Tucson office of the U.S. Border Patrol to inquire concerning the previously reported incursion on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation, I received the now familiar Clintonesque reply: "I personally have no knowledge of that." Tohono O'odham Police Spokesperson, Dana Holly did say that she "could not comment, even if it were true." She did say she was sure the Chief would want to talk with me, but some 96 hours later, he failed to respond.
Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado sent a letter to Mexican President, Vicente Fox, requesting an explanation for the "incursions" of Mexican Forces into U.S. territory.
The theory universally held by law enforcement officials, including several Border Patrol Agents who would speak only on condition of anonymity, is the Mexican Forces are assisting the illegal drug trade and aiding illegals that cross into the US. One 20-year veteran said that many times he has been ordered away from "hotspots" or high traffic areas to spots where such traffic would be virtually impossible due to the terrain. In other words, he said "high volume traffic areas are left free from surveillance while areas not used are heavily patrolled." When I asked him the origin of these orders he said he is always told, "it comes from the top." Another Agent patrolling the area of Nogales, Arizona, from a bicycle, told me the same thing happens routinely in his sector.
The area that is seeing the largest increase in this form of traffic is the shared border that is the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. The tribal lands actually exist in both Mexico and the United States. Because the Tribal Lands are considered sovereign and the terrain so rugged, actual patrolling in the area is limited. Drug and illegal smugglers, known as "coyotes" on the reservation, use this area extensively to move their contraband into this country.
Many of the Indians who inhabit this area tell me the majority of checkpoints along the border are usually on the Mexican side. The Mexican authorities are much more heavily armed than Border Patrol Agents are. Most all Mexicans carry automatic rifles and have vehicle mounted Squad Automatic Weapons. They make extensive use of Humv's and ATV's. The Mexican authorities engage in what could only be called extortion with the members of the tribe who seek to pass to visit relatives or conduct business on the Mexican side of the reservation. One lady told me that she always had to carry at least twice the amount of food or other commodities as the Mexican authorities always took at least half of everything and on some occasions had taken it all. One tribal member whose pickup truck was stolen on the U.S. side and taken into Mexico was charged $500 upon entering Mexico to retrieve his property and was told it would be an additional $500 when he crossed back into the United States.
Considering the basis for most all illegal activities is money, one could only surmise the incursions into this country by Mexican forces would be to facilitate Illegal drugs and illegal aliens into this country. I have been told the going price to transport an illegal from the Mexican side of the reservation to the area of Casa Grande, Arizona is $500 per each.
The liberal do-gooder element in Southern Arizona has demanded water be placed in strategic locations because of the illegals that routinely die in the desert heat. Mexican authorities sell maps to these water caches. Now this same element is demanding that lights be placed to assist those who cross at night! Farmers and Ranchers in Southern Arizona are sued by this element for daring to protect their private property from these illegals. One farmer who did no more than hold several illegals at gunpoint while awaiting the arrival of the Border Patrol now faces a civil lawsuit for his actions.
The Mayor and other officials of the Mexican Border town of Agua Prieta are advertising on radio and taking out ads in the paper instructing those who illegally enter the United States to use the court system to stay in this country. These Mexican authorities are angered because the U.S. Border Patrol brings illegal aliens captured in the US to Agua Prieta and drops them off. These authorities openly boast of using their tactics to completely clog the U.S. Judicial System.
The only action we see from our elected officials is their continued efforts to sneak legislation by the American People that would make all these criminal activities legal.
http://www.sierratimes.com/02/05/29/armg052902.htm
c 2002 SierraTimes.com
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Comments
I was watching on the O'reiley factor a few nights ago when he had some guy from the Border Patrol on. he said there are many BP agents sitting in offices simply because they do not have the equipment necessary to patrol these areas. I think its time to get the money to these people and let them fight fire with fire.
Alex
Thank goodness we have a government to protect us and our borders.
When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
Take out the invaders!!!!!
Edited by - alledan on 05/30/2002 01:18:46
San Diego, CA]-Shortly after noon on October 24, 2000, two U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling the international border between the United States and Mexico were shot at by ten men dressed in military-style uniforms with tactical vests and carrying high-powered military rifles with bayonets. The incident occurred in Copper Canyon, about eight miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Almost immediately after the agents disembarked from a clearly marked Border Patrol helicopter, the soldiers fired approximately eight shots at them from Mexico. The agents took cover in thick brush and identified themselves in Spanish as Border Patrol agents, but were nonetheless pursued by some of the soldiers, who entered the United States by crossing a well-maintained barbed-wire fence. The other Mexican soldiers set up two sniper positions, one in Mexico and the other in the United States. The soldiers searched the area, pointing their weapons in the direction of the Border Patrol agents and ordering them in Spanish to come out of the brush. The agents did not comply, but instead identified themselves again and told the soldiers to return to Mexico. Once other Border Patrol agents neared the scene, the soldiers retreated to Mexico and drove off in a minivan.
This is the second confirmed incident this year in which Border Patrol agents have been shot at by the Mexican military. The other occurred on March 14 in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. As in the previous incident, disaster in this case was averted only through the exemplary professionalism, courage and restraint of the involved Border Patrol agents.
Local 1613 of the National Border Patrol Council, which represents over 2,100 Border Patrol employees in the San Diego area, is seeking immediate action by the governments of both nations to ensure that incursions and acts of aggression by the Mexican military cease and desist before a tragedy occurs.
For further information, contact L. Keith Weeks, Local 1613 Vice-President, at (909) 600-2566.
Never ask why but only the value of.
Edited by - alledan on 05/30/2002 01:17:36
Edited by - alledan on 05/30/2002 01:20:51
and/or civilians.