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| Legislators set out to confront Minutemen |
| 2005-03-31 |
| A number of Hispanic state lawmakers are going to Cochise County on Friday to confront armed civilian volunteers from the newly formed Minuteman Project and spread the message that immigrants are good for the country. Rep. Ben Miranda, DPhoenix, said there is a need to present some balance in what is happening in southern Arizona. The Minuteman volunteers intend to start patrolling Friday along a 40-mile stretch of the Arizona-Mexico border and report sightings of illegal crossings to U.S. Border Patrol agents. Miranda said all the publicity so far has been about how these volunteers are needed to keep the border safe. But, he said, immigrants also contribute to the economy and provide needed services. "Part of being there is to make sure our message is out there," he said. That, said Miranda, means showing up at any news conferences or events called by the patrols. And Miranda said he intends to be very visible. "So long as it's a daytime meeting — and there's no (Ku Klux Klan) hoods out there — I intend to get right in the middle of things," he said. "I intend to demonstrate by my actions that we will not be intimidated." Miranda said Wednesday he didn't know yet how many other lawmakers would join him. The lawmakers will be accompanied by immigrants rights groups, who have vowed to monitor the Minuteman Project. The lawmakers' border trip prompted Gov. Janet Napolitano on Wednesday to urge calm to p revent confrontations. "People are entitled to exercise their First Amendment rights and entitled to assemble," she said. "That's why you can't stop the Minutemen from coming even though, from a law enforcement perspective, it's worrisome to have untrained people, potentially armed, performing what should be a law enforcement function." The governor said those who want to keep an eye on the Minuteman Project also have the same rights to assemble. "Everybody's just going to have to keep calm heads this weekend and over the coming weeks and we'll get through that," Napolitano said. But the governor said she has no plans to send more Arizona Department of Public Safety officers to the area. She said if Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever "needs additional help we will make that assistance available." A Senate panel Wednesday dealt a major setback to efforts to further restrict state-funded services to those not here legally. The Committee on Higher Education rejected a Housepassed bill that would require students who are illegal entrants to pay the higher tuition charged by universities and community colleges for out-of-state residents. Wednesday's 3-3 vote on HB2264 came even after proponents agreed to weaken the measure to permit in-state tuition to at least some of those who were brought across the border — albeit illegally — at least four years earlier. Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Mesa, called it "an attempt at fairness." Wednesday's vote angered Kathy McKee. She is the organizer of Proposition 200, approved by voters in November, which denies public benefits to illegal entrants. Attorney General Terry Goddard concluded, though, that does not cover all state programs and subsidies. McKee said there is no excuse to spend taxpayer dollars on higher education for those who have no legal right to be in this country — even on students who may have been brought here years ago by their parents. "If children aren't the responsibility of their parents and their parents' decisions (to cross the border illegally) why are they the responsibility of taxpayers like me?" she asked. "We've already given illegals — against our will — a free education K-12 because the Supreme Court says we have to," McKee pointed out. "Why do we have to subsidize them to get a higher education, too?" Sen. Victor Soltero, D-Tucson, said he doesn't condone people crossing the border illegally. "At the same time, the people that are here are providing a service to this country," he said. Soltero said they pay taxes and Social Security, though most will never collect. "It really concerns me that people will enjoy the good things, the good services that immigrants provide and, on the other hand, saying that immigrants are only a drain on our country," Soltero said. "And, if you will glance at the Left Ring of our three ring circus!..." |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #7 Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Mesa, called it "an attempt at fairness." I know who I'm not voting for next election... |
| Posted by: Pappy 2005-03-31 12:37:30 PM |
| #6 ...it’s worrisome to have untrained people, potentially armed, performing what should be a law enforcement function. Well since it's not being performed, do you think that might be the reason these folks are down there? |
| Posted by: tu3031 2005-03-31 12:23:18 PM |
| #5 Oh, they understand the difference, but want to actively discourage others from understanding. If they had to rely on citizens' votes, or even the (illegal) ones of legal residents, they wouldn't be elected. "Sen. Victor Soltero, D-Tucson" He doesn't represent My part of Tucson. Even if he did, he wouldn't represent Me. |
| Posted by: Jackal 2005-03-31 11:22:16 AM |
| #4 Miranda understands perfectly well. His ilk are pushing for open borders and amnesty to get illegals in and capable of voting for them. His Raza-clan supporters disgust me and should be subject to revocation of their citizenship and deportation to their country of loyalty - Mexico |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-03-31 11:18:27 AM |
| #3 What will it take to get it through the thick skulls of people like Miranda? The problem is not immigrants, the problem is ILLEGAL immigrants. Pretty freaking simple if you ask me. |
| Posted by: AllahHateMe 2005-03-31 11:04:07 AM |
| #2 "...rejected a House passed bill that would require students who are illegal entrants to pay the higher tuition charged by universities and community colleges for out-of-state residents."This is absolute bulls%$t,why the hell should someone in this country illeagly pay lower tuiton fees than a legal out of state resident.They shouldn't even be allowed to enroll. "Soltero said they pay taxes and Social Security, though most will never collect." Agin,bulls#%t,if they were paying taxes and Social Security,then they would be documented aliens.By definition they would be legal residents.The 2 main reasons to hire illegals is (1)lower wages(thus ripping-off American workers)(2)Employers don't pay taxes,insurance or Social Security on illegal workers,saving thousand of dollars a year.That is one of the biggest reasons to hire illegals(agin ripping-off Americans)..com can I please borrow your clue bat,I have a couple of Az.asshats that need whacking.I won't break it,I promise. |
| Posted by: Raptor 2005-03-31 10:35:52 AM |
| #1 Sorry... don't understand... speak English please. |
| Posted by: DO 2005-03-31 10:25:14 AM |