Local militias and vigilante groups

Subject: Local militias and vigilante groups

Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2002

Just a quick note ...

As you are no doubt aware over the last three to four months a number of efforts have gotten underway to initiate local vigilante groups and/or militias. The purpose of these groups is to try and deal with this country's/county's problems regarding illegal immigration. Membership and participation in these groups are solicited from local residents who are often armed and have little or no training. As of today, six out of the seven mayors of the cities in Cochise County have indicated opposition to the formation of these groups.

This coming Tuesday, at their regularly scheduled board meeting, the Board of Supervisors will be discussing this issue and may possibly be voting on a resolution opposing the formation of these groups and calling for the Federal Government to do its job in protecting the borders of this country.

I'm interested in your opinion on this issue.

There are two choices below. If you would, let me know which one, 1 or 2, that you would most strongly support.

1. I oppose the creation and operation of armed or unarmed militias and vigilantes formed for the purpose of combating illegal immigration. I also recognize there are legitimate and sanctioned authorities such as the United States Border Patrol and others who can and must address the issues of illegal immigration. Additionally, I would urge the Federal Government to recognize and take responsibility, fiscal and otherwise, for problems associated with illegal immigration.

2. I support the creation and operation of armed or unarmed militias and vigilantes formed for the purpose of combating illegal immigration. I also recognize there are legitimate and sanctioned authorities such as the United States Border Patrol and others who can and must address the issues of illegal immigration. Additionally, I would urge the Federal Government to recognize and take responsibility, fiscal and otherwise, for problems associated with illegal immigration.

The issue of illegal immigration is complex and there are no simple answers. Although I will probably not be able to respond to everyone, I would be interested to receive any comments you may be interested in sharing beyond the simple choices I've given here.

Thank you for your interest.

Pat Call.

Patrick Call Chairman, Cochise County Board of Supervisors
1415 W. Melody Lane Bisbee, AZ 85603
520.432.9200 www.cochisecounty.com <http://www.cochisecounty.com>

Response:

Tuesday, November 26, 2002

Supervisor Call:

This is in response to your request for comments relating to local militias and vigilante groups.

I am a retired Chief Patrol Agent with the Border Patrol; I also served as the Director of the U. S. Border Patrol Academy, and closed my career with the government as the Western Regional Director of the last INS amnesty program. I am also a member of the board of directors of the recently created American Border Patrol organization.

For those who would identify American Border Patrol as a vigilante or militia organization I can state unequivocally that it is neither. It was created solely for the purpose of reporting illegal activity along the border with Mexico to responsible government law enforcement agencies, and to report those illegal activities to the American public - something the media and our government are unwilling to do. I understand that there are also some who resent the intrusion by non-residents of Arizona into this problem, and I am one of them, but this is not a Cochise County or State of Arizona problem - it is an American problem, and one that deserves the immediate attention of all concerned citizens.

I have closely watched the illegal immigration and drug smuggling problem for more than forty five years and I can tell you that in all that time it has only worsened, and it continues to do so. I am by no means an advocate of armed militias or vigilante actions. I fail to understand, however, how anyone can expect less of some segments of the public when our government has consistently failed to protect our borders from the ongoing invasion of this country by illegal aliens, drug smugglers - and now against the threat of terrorists bent upon wreaking further havoc upon this nation.

In spite of all the rhetoric since 9/11 the government has failed to take any serious actions designed to protect and secure our borders. They are as vulnerable as they were on September 10, 2001 and will probably remain so because of the insatiable demand by American business interests for cheap (and unnecessary) labor. Further, if we are truly a nation that has survived because of our adherence to the rule of law, as politicians are fond of stating, then we must ensure that all laws are enforced fairly and uniformly - not just those that are the favorites of the day.

The truth is, hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens and hundreds of tons of lethal drugs enter this country from Mexico every year. The numbers of illegal aliens in this country today represent more than the populations of many, if not most of our states. And more are coming every day. My question to you, and particularly those groups who are opposed to actions necessary to the control of our borders, is why? Why is it wrong for public protest when the government fails to constitutionally protect those they were elected to serve? And that is exactly what it is failing to do.

William S. (Bill) King, Jr.
Big Bear City, California