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Return to Article: DHS beefs up security along Arizona-Mexico border

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  Please, please to all of my fellow U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration officials: at BP check-points in the United States, if a person tells you that he/she is a U.S. citizen and your dog already gave a negative sign that the car is clean, you should let the driver go. Your next car in line may be full of drugs. I was born in Mexico, naturalized in 1978 and have been a U.S. criminal investigator since 1981. My former employers include INS, ATF and DEA. Now, if I tell you that I am a U.S. citizen, and your drug sniffing dog already gave a negative sign that my car is clear, you must let me go. If I tell you that I am a U.S. citizen and you ask me were I was born, I will tell you in Mexico and immediately I will ad that I am a naturalized citizen. If all of this cannot satisfy you and you still want to see my identification, i.e., driver's license, proof of citizenship etc., you will be wasting your time and our taxpayer's money.

  In immigration 101 we learned that once a person tells you he/she is a U.S. citizen, why you want to continue with a useless interrogatory? I am tired of having to carry my U.S. Passport with me in order to stop the harassment I get every time I go through a BP check-point. Oh, I drive a 2005 Honda Civic and it is always clean. Yes, I know, I can flash you with my ICE special agent badge and credential but this is not proper, nor professional. I hope you become a more professional and alert Border Patrol agent. Don't waste your time with your fellow officer. You may be missing a terrorist or drug carrier behind me.

  GovExec.com reader Posted November 9, 2005 8:55 AM
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  I saw on Hannity & Colmes last night the interview with Minutemen leaders Gilcrest & Simcox.

  Simcox stated that no additional Border Patrol had arrived on the U.S./Mexican border. What is the truth? Is this another White House April Fool Joke? How do I find out the real truth?

  GovExec.com reader Posted April 20, 2005 12:35 AM
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  Are we all getting to the point that we clearly see what Bush and his band of bums are doing to the country? In case you can't see it, this man is putting all of us in jeopardy of invasion by whoever wants to come in the southern border for the sake of making another dollar for corporate big shots. He likes the corporations and high prices for almost everything. He hates people who make $5.15 an hour while Congress has increased their yearly earnings $28,000.00. If gas gets over $3.00 who except the rich can afford to drive to work?

  Shameful people

  GovExec.com reader Posted April 6, 2005 8:52 AM
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  The founder of the Arizona Rangers commented that Douglas, Arizona was worse than Tombstone ever was. The whole area is extremely dangerous as drug runners are carrying AK-47s backpacking drugs over the border in broad daylight.

  Mexican President Fox's faux concern for his citizens crossing the desert rings hollow considering the open season on Central Americans crossing Mexico's southern border. I have been down there and spoken to the ranchers. They can't turn their lights on at night as they serve as a beacon to strangers crossing the border who seek out assistance from them throughout the evening. Border crossers cut their barbed wire, throw trash everywhere, open gates and much more.

  The history in the area goes back generations, the people deserve some form of personal safety and respect for their property.

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 31, 2005 1:05 PM
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  What a coincidence! Just when a group of angry, frustrated U.S. citizens are ready to set up a "neighborhood watch" type program along the Mexican border, DHS announces it will beef up Border Patrol assets in that area. What about the 10,000 new Border Patrol agents that were going to be hired, or the promised new ICE agents? Once again, Washington rhetoric isn't matched by action. In the meantime, ICE remains a dysfunctional agency which is hemorrhaging personnel while still in a hiring freeze, and plagued by gross budget deficits, unprecedented mismanagement, and historically low morale.

  The PRIMARY responsibility of any government is to protect its citizens from all enemies, foreign and domestic. That's what this invasion of illegal aliens amounts to, a CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER to our national security. It's time we solved this problem once and for all, without worrying about what the Mexican government has to say. After all, they are what caused this problem in the first place, due to their rampant corruption and lack of concern for their own people. I care about MY country, and the future of MY children, first, as should all Americans, including our political leaders.

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 31, 2005 11:50 AM
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  In reference to this and the previous article on "Activists to Flock to Border", it only further emphasizes the lack of performance by Bush to ensure citizen protection. Rated on "Pay for Performance" Bush once again gets a "F". I see his action or lack of based on politics and money. He and Fox are more interested in their personal benefits than the welfare of the people they represent. The bottom line is the "minute men" wouldn't be there if Bush was doing the job right. If there is ever an effective enforcement of the border security, look for things to really heat up since this is tied to politics and money larger than some can imagine. Groups involved will stop at nothing to assure the avenues are kept open.

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 31, 2005 10:46 AM
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  "The Department of Homeland Security is determined to gain operational control of our nation's borders," said CBP Commissioner Robert Bonner. "Today, we are increasing our boots on the ground and assets in the air because in a post-9/11 era, securing our borders is a national security issue." What a load! It has been four years and they are just starting - how is that important? The only time they up the coverage is when private citizens take to the field. There is no need for the CBP or homeland to spend any money on this project! The minutemen have provided the manpower and motivation free! Why is the government wasting my money? The minutemen sound like a faith-based inititive to me.

  taxpayer Posted March 31, 2005 6:26 AM
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  Amazing how the government is willing to bend or produce, even if it is only a halfhearted attempt, when the masses TAKE A STAND to protect the American Interest (rights) on their own.

  Please remember this powerful tactic and be prepared to TAKE A STAND if NSPS should ever be enacted without Title 5 protections left in place as they are today.

  Thank you to all that are participating in this righteous endeavor.

  Stanley Posted March 30, 2005 9:37 PM