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| Fifth Column |
| Border Patrol Arrests "No More Deaths" Volunteers |
| 2005-07-14 |
| [TUSCON] Two volunteers with the humanitarian organization "No More Deaths" were arrested for transporting illegal immigrants around noon Saturday afternoon. Spokespeople for the group say the volunteers were trying to save the lives of dehydrated illegal immigrants when they were arrested. Out of a group of seven illegal immigrants found late Saturday morning, three were deemed by volunteers to be in need of immediate medical attention. The United States Border Patrol says no matter the cause for transporting illegal immigrants, the volunteers were breaking the law. Volunteers say it would compromise their effort if they called law enforcement officials. Immigrants might not seek help if they think authorities will be called. "We've been putting them in the car for years and Border Patrol has repeatedly over the years approved of our protocol and said that's okay. We never take people to places other than places absolutely necessary for medical attention and humanitarian aid." "We've gone on record before saying do not do this. Do not transport illegal aliens in your car. We will arrest you and pursue prosecution. That's not a secret at all," said Andrea Zortman, Border Patrol Agent. "No More Deaths" and the Border Patrol disagree sharply on the condition of the illegal immigrants in question. "No More Deaths" says the immigrants were either extremely dehydrated or injured... Border Patrol agents say the undocumented immigrants' condition is not as dire as volunteers suggest. The volunteers will be arraigned Monday. Border Patrol is not releasing the names of those arrested. |
| Posted by:Slaving Shaimp1614 |
| #10 Two volunteers with the humanitarian organization "No More Deaths".. If these idiots indeed want "no more deaths", they'll use what resources they have at their disposal to discourage Mexicans from crossing the border illegally, instead of assisting them with water or medical attention. The fact that they don't speaks volumes. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-07-14 22:48 |
| #9 I don't suppose these fine folks would consider taking them back to Mexico for medical care. |
| Posted by: RWV 2005-07-14 16:04 |
| #8 We never take people to places other than places absolutely necessary for medical attention and humanitarian aid. And do you think they pick up the tab? Yeah, me neither... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2005-07-14 14:31 |
| #7 This will cheer you all up. They've immediately dropped the serious federal felony of trafficking, for which they could have faced 20 years or so, and instead have offered them a plea bargain of "court ordered diversion" instead of ANY prison time. I hope the SOBs refuse the bargain, which will probably force the weak-kneed government to drop the charges. That will show everybody where they stand. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-07-14 11:02 |
| #6 Two volunteers... were arrested for transporting illegal immigrants around noon Saturday afternoon. You can only legally transport them after 5 on Tuesdays. I thought everybody knew that! |
| Posted by: Dar 2005-07-14 10:09 |
| #5 And the reason you didn't use a cell phone for emergency services if the illegals were in such bad condition was? Err...that they'd be treated and then deported. Smugglers, clear and simple. |
| Posted by: Pheng Glolung9905 2005-07-14 09:25 |
| #4 Immigrants might not seek help if they think authorities will be called. That would be their choice then wouldn't it? Same as their choice to cross the desert. Its called 'Free Will'. (something else the LLL is against). |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2005-07-14 09:18 |
| #3 After yesterday's news of another shooting (at our BP Agents) and the other report of a Border Patrol agent himself being arrested for bringing illegals into the US, this is good news. And, those "conditions" don't look TOO life threatening to me. Heck, the vomiting could've been from the tequila talkin'! I'm sure someone here knows, but I assume the BP takes care of medical emergencies too, if they catch someone, is that true? |
| Posted by: BA 2005-07-14 09:10 |
| #2 We've been putting them in the car for years and Border Patrol has repeatedly over the years approved of our protocol and said that's okay well, maybe you haven't noticed, but times have changed. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-07-14 08:08 |
| #1 Volunteers say it would compromise their effort if they called law enforcement officials. Immigrants might not seek help if they think authorities will be called. Well, then don't be surprised if you get jugged for aiding and abetting, or accessory after the fact, or smuggling, or treason. |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2005-07-14 07:28 |