Immigration activists seek probe

Friday, July 10^th, 2009.
Issue 28, Volume 9.

Activists who claim Riverside-based US Border Patrol agents use "vigilante-style tactics" to round up suspected illegal immigrants punctuated a recent protest with calls for a federal civil rights investigation.

"The…practices of this rogue Riverside Border Patrol station do not further any known immigration enforcement priorities, but does ravage communities, create distrust and ultimately violates rights of everyone in the area," said Chris Newman, with the Justice for Immigrants Coalition of Inland Southern California.

Some 60 members of the coalition, comprised of a half-dozen immigrants’ rights groups, rallied July 2 outside the Riverside Border Patrol station on Chicago Ave., where videotape of recent operations conducted by the station’s agents was shown.

In one clip, agents were seen detaining a day laborer and taking suspected illegal immigrants from a home in Rancho Cucamonga.

"We’re very concerned this office is not following normal practices," said coalition spokeswoman Suzanne Foster.

Foster said beginning last fall, Border Patrol agents from the Riverside station began an aggressive campaign involving randomly detaining people at known day laborer pickup sites, going into markets and making arrests and sometimes chasing people into homes.

"These agents are not using probable cause. They’re not searching for criminals. They’re not stopping terrorism. They’re not at the border. They’re just driving up to a street corner and asking everybody for identification and taking everybody," Foster said.

The coalition says the policy appears unique to the Riverside station and may reflect an increase in quotas, or a baseline number of arrests the station is tasked with making monthly.

The coalition contends the actions smack of racial-profiling.

Border Patrol Agent Alicia Ramirez, who works in the agency’s public affairs unit, said a "quota system does not exist."

In an e-mail to a reporter, Ramirez also disputed the coalition’s contention that Riverside-based Border Patrol agents have been operating outside their area of authority, going into locations that include Lake Elsinore, Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Home Gardens, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Rubidoux and San Bernardino.

The Riverside station’s boundaries extend to the northernmost part of San Bernardino County, east to the Nevada state line, west to Los Angeles County and south through Riverside County, Ramirez said.

"Under the Immigration and Nationalization Act, Border Patrol agents have the authority to Advertisement
question any person believed to be an alien as to his or her right to be or remain in the United States and make an arrest of an alien who the officer has reason to believe is anywhere in the US in violation of immigration laws," Ramirez said.

Investigations focus on catching illegal immigrants, interdicting human smugglers and drug traffickers and identifying potential terrorist threats, Ramirez said.

According to Foster, Riverside-area agents have conducted multiple sweeps since January, including more than a dozen in June alone, one of which involved stopping a Riverside Transit Authority bus and detaining everybody on board.

A teenage student en route to summer school was among the passengers, according to the coalition.

"We expect this type of anti-immigrant hysteria in places like Phoenix, AZ, but not here in California," said coalition supporter and school teacher Debbie Leance.

"A letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano denouncing the practices of [the Riverside Border Patrol station] will be mailed and a thorough investigation requested," the coalition said.

Offering a counterpoint in a separate interview, Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), said federal agents are trained to identify suspects with dubious immigration status.

FAIR estimates around two million illegal immigrants reside in Southern California.

"They look at a number of factors to make a determination about whether somebody might be violating our immigration laws," Mehlman said. "They don’t just randomly pick people because of race or ethnicity."

"In areas like Southern California," he continued, "the preponderance of people here illegally happen to belong to a certain ethnic group."

According to Mehlman, the practice of stopping people on street corners or in marketplaces is "one component of a larger strategy."

"It also requires strict enforcement against employers who hire illegal aliens and state and local policies who say, ‘We’re not going to accommodate people in the country illegally,’" Mehlman said.

"We’re not going to be able to apprehend and deport everybody, but you can send a message that we’re out there looking for you, and that does have an impact on how illegal aliens behave," Mehlman said. "Fewer will make the decision to come here because they believe enforcement is taking place."

25 comments for "Immigration activists seek probe"

2:01 pm Fri, Jul 10^th, 2009

1. Estoban says :

The Border Patrol is being paid to do just what it is doing! Since 'illegal alien' is neither a race nor ethnicity, it follows that there can be no racial profiling. Civil rights are for Americans. The black people that were brought here by force and treated atrociously for generations had every right to seek relief and civil rights. Not so for people who came here on their own and overstayed visas or stole across our borders. These are illegal aliens!

2:01 pm Fri, Jul 10^th, 2009

2. Auntie Illegal says :

I posted a comment but it was not approved. Illegal means Illegal. We should round them up and deport them. Ithink ICE should have free hand to collect, spindle, staple and shred

2:02 pm Fri, Jul 10^th, 2009

3. mom of lots says :

maybe these activists should pay for their incarceration, or better yet, open up their own home.

2:02 pm Fri, Jul 10^th, 2009

4. Auntie Illegal says :

I live in Reeeverside California, it used to be a beautiful American city. I think illegals should be branded on their foreheads and shipped back where ever to get in line. I think we should have sweeps. If you saw what I see each day your blood would chill. The streets are full of woman with anchor babies in old dirty strollers, where are the parents? working for cash while collecting welfare and benefits that stupid tax payers can not get. WAKE UP AMERICAN you are being lied to by your leaders. The only thing these people should get is a one way bus ticket. Labama goes to other countries and spews when he should be home protecting our borders and creating YOBS for Americans, some one has to pay for these stinking illegals

10:14 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

5. Francisco says :

Dear Auntie Illegal:

One more thing. It happens to me that I have a Bachellor degree on CIS from my country, and I've just got an AS from RCC. I speak Spanish, ENglish, and Italian. My American neighbor did NOT finished high school. He's been in jail for drug dealing. His wife has FIVE kids. They don't work.

But I bet you would be very pleased if someone like me gets kicked off from this beautiful country, and I bet you would love to have my neihgbor washing your car, Am I wrong?.

Regards

Francisco.

10:14 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

6. borderraven says :

We grant the Border Patrol, and all police officers under oath, the authority to enforce our laws, so we may enjoy living in a society. Law enforcement officers do not need a "right" to as anyone about immigration status or nationality, and they all can request documentation to prove any one's right to be in the USA. Every Citizen has a duty under Article Two of the US Constitution, to enforce duties of President, by enforcing the laws of the nation and their state, by observing crimes, making notes, taking photos, making video, and posting online as well as reporting to the authorities. Every Citizen may detain a criminal, and or call police to assist in a "citizens arrest". As citizens we Americans may choose to protest in the streets, where we see illegal aliens and their supporters like Suzanne Foster, who aids and abets illegal aliens. American citizens should also seek out American Patriotic organizations, such as SaveOurState or Minutemen, and notify these groups when local city council meetings or protest rallies will involve supporting illegal aliens. If you won't fight for the USA, then don't whine when it is lost to foreign occupation. STAND UP USA!

10:14 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

7. Francisco says :

Dear Auntie Illegal:

Not all of us are stinking people. Not all of us are uneducated. Most of us pay taxes. I would like to ask you: Would you react in the same way if Illegals who clean your windows were good looking and blond?. I don't think so.

You are stereotiping, and that shows how educated you are.
It not only you shows your lack of education, but It shows your poor feelings. Calm down, and think it rationally: There must be some goog people among those 12 millions of inmigrants. Don't you think so?

Regards

Francisco

10:14 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

8. slow bob. says :

im sorry but the only reason we cant deport every last one of them is because we refuse to. there is no other explanation. i cant think of one person i know that would mind a border patroll agent comming up to them and asking to see some id to prove there a citizen. can you.

10:15 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

9. steve says :

This is the way to do it! if they are protesting, PICK THEM UP AND DEPORT THEM! here is a link to American Citizens killed by these scumbag illegals
http://www.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp
they have turned Southern California into a gutter! watch this folks! your next! Mexico's second highest income is from illegals sending money home! google it! do you understand how really HUGE that is?? how many of them MUST be here illegally to make that happen?? 12 million? HA! more like 40 million?? we are being invaded, without one shot being fired! does anybody have a CLUE?? whos job it is to protect and defend the United States?? to ABIDE by the CONSTITUTION???? what does it mean? to break the law? why all the infighting? they broke the LAW! period! google "operation w*tback" Eisenhower had this very same problem. he quietly and EFFECTIVLY took care of it! why can we not do the same??? they walked, rode, swam over here. they can do the same going home taking their anchor babies with them! and then, if they want. they can GET IN LINE. like all the rest of the "LAW ABIDING " people that do it the RIGHT WAY!!!

10:15 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

10. rightsforall says :

Estoban, mom of lots, Auntie Illegal, wow! You are ignorant. BOO! That's why the illegals are gonna take over cuz you don't; know the rules, the law and our constitution, which protects everyone, which protects all persons even you three little pigs trying to blow down rule by by law with hate. You were born in the wrong country and in the wrong century. You must have been beamed here from Nazi Germany and your momma was a Gestapo breeder. Go home, go to the past, where you're ideas and hate have already been defeated. Or at least be original! You sound like a broken Hitlerite 78 rpm with bad speakers.

10:15 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

11. lynn says :

Please....let the Border Patrol do their job. It's the federal government that doesn't enforce their own laws which gives open border types power.

10:15 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

12. American Taxpayer says :

If Americans want to see Mexico's way of life, we can legally cross the border. When an illegal crosses the American border, they not only break our laws, but insist on imposing their third world culture on taxpaying Americans. The goal is to have as many babies as possible that are currently considered "American" citizens. (Something that was changed in the 1970's)These "citizens" then open the taxpayerss wallet to welfare, food stamps, medical, housing, schooling, etc. all paid to the illegal parent. If we went back to the original intent of the 14th amendment, any baby born in the US to an illegal parent would be immediately sent back wth the parent to the parents homeland. There would be no need for fences, raids, e-verify, etc. Americans would once again reclaim their culture and homeland.

10:15 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

13. laws? says :

so many KKK alike people here!...it's funny that they are breaking their own laws.

10:15 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

14. Whats right? says :

I believe that any immigrant who has done nothing wrong should stay.Some are hard working people that come to America looking for a better life and to be with their families that live here.They dont come here to cause any trouble. Drug trafficers and human smugglers are the ones who should be deported.They are the ones coming here to make our country unsafe. At least day labors are working hard for their money. Its just not right deporting the hard working immigrants that come to America searching for a better life.

10:16 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

15. Delaware Bob says :

I am so tired of hearing about this "Racial Profiling". You know what would end this "Racial Profiling"? Get rid of the ILLEGAL ALIENS!

There is no doubt that this illegal immigration has caused more problems than anyone could have ever imagined. Illegal aliens have made America the dumping ground for all their illegal alien children, then we have to school them and give them free medical care. I'm sick and tired of these illegal aliens snubbing their nose at our laws.

I believe it is time for all 50 States to pass a State law, like Arizona, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina and a few others. It is time for these ILLEGAL ALIENS to go back to their home Country and get out of this Country. The problems they are causing will not go away until the ILLEGAL ALIENS are out of this Country. I think that is plain to see.

It's time for ZERO TOLERENCE with these ILLEGAL ALIENS. It's time for them to get back to their own country where they belong.

It's time to take our Country back! No ILLEGAL ALIEN has a right to be in this Country for any reason.

If these activists groups have any ideas on how to get rid of the ILLEGAL AIENS without "Racial Profiling", do it, or shut up.

Is California ready for a State Illegal Immigration Law?

10:16 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

16. Citlali says :

I think racists should be branded on their cheek with the letter R.

Then deported to the middle of the ocean and fed to the sharks.

At least that way they are good for something, shark food!

10:17 am Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

17. Theodor says :

Illegal immigration is one of those issues , we American people should stand united . Don't let them divide you in small red, blue, brown or whatever they can think off . This is an issue of every single American . The future of our republic is in our hands . Unite , unite , forget about party .
There are some politicians who are worthy of votes , but majority are corrupted , and they sold us out long time ago . Unite

11:28 pm Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

18. JLR says :

Francisco, it doesn't matter if an illegal is educated or not. Any illegal should be deported.

11:28 pm Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

19. John says :

Go home illegals. We have 10+% unemployment. Why is California broke? Repeal the 14th ammendment and send these illegals home. They can petition their respective gov't. not mine.

11:35 pm Sat, Jul 11^th, 2009

20. Wine guy says :

It is so sad....Auntie Illegal, estoban et all: People who are xenophobic and want to blame inmigrants for the recession etc are just ignorant, they are blind and live on their own little ignorant world. The richer keep getting richer and the poor kepp getting poorer, and the ignorant keep getting more ignorant seems like.
If we dont see the problems of the world as they are, and concentrate in our own countries only, our children will only regret it. If poverty is spilling over and making people leave their homes, is because something is really wrong, The United States and other Nations have been using the natural resources of developing countries for a long time, dumping waste there to make things cheaper here. What did we expect? People dont leave their country just to get in your nerves and cramp your style. I am not saying to get soft on crime and drug trafficking, but at least be aware that this is a very complicated issue and the people making the big bucks have responsabilities to the world. Become educated, talk to the immigrants and relate to their stories. Travel some if you can afford it. Or just keep spilling hate and create new hate mongers in the future world that is going to be more crowded , dirtier, and poorer. Is your choice. By the way you must be atheists, how is that working out for you?

9:01 am Sun, Jul 12^th, 2009

21. Walter says :

Old "Francisco" in post Number 5, above, claims to have a degree, and he cannot even spell it. I hope he's just a psychological liar, and doesn't have a degree. If he does, the edication system is in deep trouble.

4:56 pm Sun, Jul 12^th, 2009

22. Francisco says :

Dear Walter:

Have you heard about typos? Yes, I guess you just did one, or maybe it’s true that EDICATION is in deep trouble.

Best Regards.

4:59 pm Sun, Jul 12^th, 2009

23. Learning says :

The United States isn't rich enough to support all the illegal aliens that come here. Sadly many (most) come from Mexico which in many ways is better off then the US.
Mexico has government healthcare.
Mexico has a about a 4% unemployment rate.
Mexico has a higher public saving rate.
Mexico has less debt to GDP then the US.

About 50% of those of Mexican national heritage in the US self identify as white but are still considered a protected minority because their hispanic ethnicity.
Crime statistics include only the race (white/black etc) of perpatrators, not ethnicity. This is quite often done with statistic to mislead the population.

7:38 am Mon, Jul 13^th, 2009

24. SpecialAgent says :

I am currently serving as a Border Patrol Agent. For those here that support us, I applaud your remarks and thank you dearly. For those that do not support us, I only feel sorry for you as you have yet to grasp the magnitude of the situation. For those on here that are illegal....were coming for you.

9:52 am Tue, Jul 14^th, 2009

25. Amy says :

Thank you, SpecialAgent. Keep up the great work! It's appreciated.