This is cute...
Phoenix Arizona July 14, 2006:
Group, Immigrants Without Borders is planning a little march in protest of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas for trying to use state conspiracy law if they use the services of a coyote, to charge illegal immigrants entering the U.S.
From Azstarnet.com:
A statewide immigration advocacy group is planning to march this morning outside the Phoenix offices of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
Immigrants Without Borders said the march was in response to the officials' efforts to charge illegal entrants with conspiracy to smuggle themselves across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Advocates have accused county authorities of misusing the anti-smuggling law, arguing that it is aimed at smugglers who are paid by illegal immigrants to lead them to the United States. The group's leaders hope to start a dialogue with Arpaio and Thomas."We do not seek confrontation," said Immigration Without Borders founder Elias Bermudez. "We want them to be part of the solution to a broken-down federal immigration system."
Recently a judge threw the first attempt out of court because he felt it did not qualify as a conspiracy. I find it sad that it is only considered conspiracy if a coyote is involved. I don't care if you illegally crossed the border alone, you had a conversation about it with yourself; for the purposes of our border security that is conspiracy enough for me.
In other news in the Valley of the Sun....
Leader of the group Protect Our City, Randy Pullen submitted 21,000 signatures in support of putting an initiative on the ballot that would require, according to The Arizona Republic:
I applaud Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas in their "conspiracy" efforts. And of course Protect Our Cities.
**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email the coalition and let me know at what level you would like to participate.**
In other news in the Valley of the Sun....
Leader of the group Protect Our City, Randy Pullen submitted 21,000 signatures in support of putting an initiative on the ballot that would require, according to The Arizona Republic:
Phoenix to "enter into an agreement with the United States Department of Homeland Security to designate police officers as immigration officers qualified to investigate, apprehend, and detain aliens in the United States."Danny Ortega, a Phoenix attorney, who is no stranger to Randy Pullen (Pullen supported and brought Prop. 200 to the ballot, which puts restrictions on benefits for illegals; Mr. Ortega oddly enough was against it), said:
"It's explosive and dangerous. It's an initiative that will endanger the safety of every resident of Phoenix . . . (because) resources that would go into fighting dangerous crimes would be also used to apprehend and process alleged undocumented persons."Phoenix police spokesman, Sgt. Joel Tranter said:
the extra responsibility would put a strain on police officers who are already extremely busy dealing with local issues.I never understand this type of statement that comes from a police department. They oppose it as though every cop will be taken off their regular beat to deal with illegal immigrants. When it is just another piece in the weak arsenal we have in dealing with the plight of illegal immigration.
I applaud Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas in their "conspiracy" efforts. And of course Protect Our Cities.
**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email the coalition and let me know at what level you would like to participate.**
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