Back from AZ border patrol duty.

[Squatch]

All,

My NG unit redeployed a couple of days ago from spending the summer augmenting the US Customs and Border Patrol in Arizona. We covered 160 miles of border from Nogales to Lukeville.

Let me tell you that the immigration problem is quite a bit more considerable than the media has portrayed. When I deployed to the border, I was fairly ambivalent to the whole issue. However, within the first few days of being down there, I saw that undocumented aliens (UDA) and drug runners are causing significant problems, everything from trampling well-worn foot paths (literally thousands of these paths) in the fragile Sonoran desert to "crashing the border" with numerous vehicles, each laden with thousands of pounds of dope.

I've seen UDAs "stage" by the dozens across from the Nogales port of entry (in broad daylight), and then rush the fence, in the hopes that most of them will disappear into the local population.

I personally sat amidst 6000 pounds of marijuana (for a photo op) and weapons (from knives to AKs), my tears welling from the aroma (or from longing of my college days ;-) )

I've seen bodies in the desert (two of them), one decomposed beyond recognition, the other recently dead in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

I've been verbally assaulted by members of an organization that operates in the area of Arivaca to completely open our borders to all traffic.

I've also assisted another organization who stocks humanitarian water points in the desert when one of their trucks became stuck at a flood.

I've interacted with the slightly creepy Minutemen, each of them dressed to the 9's in the current Marine Corps and Army camo patterns and packing $3000 firearms fueled by an incredibly inflated sense of patriotism.

All in all, though, it's a very dynamic politico-socio environment which this humble Guardsman thinks something SENSIBLE needs to be done about.

This is what they're crossing, 20 miles or more between water points and over 110F in the day (mostly on foot):

[bryant69]

1. What you need to tie this up is a simplistic story

Nothing gets people excited like a simplistic story. Here's one "Bastard Mexicans aer trying to sneak into this country to steal our job while a few heroic people try to protect our nation from a flood of criminals and potential terrorists." See there's a story you can sink your teeth into.

Alternatively you might go with "Wonderful Mexicans are willing to suffer enormously to escape bad economic conditions of their home land to come to America and work and live peacefully in our communities, only to be figuratively kicked in the head by racist Americans." That's a good story too. It works just as well if you specifiy that the racist Americans are American soldiers.

Simplistic stories, that's what people want - not these shades of grey that your post paint. But thank you for posting this, as it is interesting to consider.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[rockyandmax]

2. So what do you think should be done?

[Squatch]

4. Build a 2000-mile long fence

studded each 100 meters with an M-2 .50 cal machinegun and rabid German shepherds. Oh...and liquid hot magma cauldrons wouldn't hurt, either.

Humor aside, this immigration problem will not go away with physical barriers. The only thing that will end it is changing the conditions which allow it to exist, in the first place. That will require investment in the emerging Central American economies and revamping the war on drugs.

Exactly how you do that...beats the living hell out of me.

[Pathwalker]

20. The border's only 700 miles long - where do you

want the extra 1300 miles of border fence?

Hint: we have call boxes for the northern border - call when you drive through!

[skids]

28. I'll skip on the revamping of the War on Drugs part, thanks.

I believe I've had enough of it.

[FogerRox]

3. Sooo.... folks try to cross the border for... . . .. . . . . a job.

Isnt it illegal to hire an illegal? Darn those corporations.

[Cleita]

5. So what you are saying is that the major portion of the

problem is the dope runners and not the workers as we have been led to believe? From everything I have read it seems like the campesinos are guilty of taking jobs from hard-working Americans. I don't think dope runners need to work picking strawberries, or frying hamburgers at Wendy's. So it seems to me that the Minute Men should be going after the dope runners shouldn't they? But that would probably cut off their supply.

[Squatch]

8. Here are your typical border crossers

I took this picture while they were being searched by BP. Though they attempted to start their new lives in the US with the commission of a crime, I hardly feel threatened by any of these people.

Now, on the other hand, the ones that are really scary are the Mexican Federales who personally ESCORT drugs across the border into the US under cover of heavy weaponry to be picked up by their cohorts.

[janx]

12. Are those pill bottles on the ground?

Weird.

[Squatch]

16. Yeah, and the UDAs positively REEKED of garlic

they rub the stuff all over their shoes and pants to ward off snakes.

BTW, the only weapon they found on these people was a small (3") knife one of them used to cut his queso, I presume.

[Disturbed]

13. Illegal Immigration y pat_k.

Illegal Immigration

*The following was posted by pat_k.

Controlling our borders isn't really about control; it's about values

"Controlling our borders" means more than erecting barriers or patrolling. Controlling our borders is about making a commitment to act in a manner that is consistent with our values.

When we set employment standards we are expressing our values. Those standards reflect our belief that all human beings have a right to be treated fairly.

As long as we allow ANY workers to be exploited within our borders, we disgrace ourselves. As long as we turn a blind eye to the violations committed by people who enter illegally or remain after their visa expires, we demonstrate hypocrisy.

Guest worker programs have a place, but too often; such programs have been used to give employers a ticket to pay substandard wages and subject workers to unsafe conditions. We cannot tolerate programs that set different standards for "guests."

To be consistent with American values, we need to "just say no" to the exploitation workers -- documented or not. Continuing to permit predatory employers to operate within our borders will only drive more and more of Us and "Them" into poverty.

Controlling our borders with the stroke of a pen

Building a wall takes time. We don't need to wait. We can effectively control immigration with the stroke of a pen by passing legislation that includes two basic elements:
Going after predatory employers.
Offering a path to citizenship for whistleblowers and their families.

Specifically:
Expand the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to cover every business and individual employer, whether they employ documented or undocumented workers.
Conditions and terms of employment must meet FLSA and safety requirements for any wage earner who meets the criteria that would require reporting under IRS rules (e.g, the IRS threshold this year is $1500 for most of work).
Criminalize predatory employment practices.
Predatory employers who are violating FLSA, violating OSHA standards, and evading taxes must be subject to prosecution and mandatory prison time.
Whistleblower immigration amnesty.
Clear processes for workers to report predatory employers and maintain anonymity throughout the course of investigation. Whistleblowers who are undocumented (whether an individual or a group) are offered a path to citizenship.
Increase resources and create special units as required
Affected agencies would include the Dept of Labor Wage and Hour Division, Dept of Justice, OSHA, IRS, and INS. The Wage and Hour Division is probably the logical agency to oversee the handling of charges against predatory employers, including preliminary investigation, referral to Justice for investigation and prosecution, referral to IRS, and coordination with INS to process undocumented whistleblowers and other undocumented workers.”

Making implicit costs explicit

“The harmful effects of supporting an underground economy are costly to the nation. When we "just say no" to the exploitation workers, some implicit costs will be made explicit. Americans have a choice. We can invest our tax dollars to our common benefit, or bear the costs -- both moral and monetary -- of exploiting other human beings.

If we choose make predatory employers the prime target, we can ensure the survival of vital "underground economy" sectors by providing transitional supports. We can offset increased costs of goods or services to the working class through tax credits. (Should be part of shifting the costs of citizenship from those who benefit the least from our common infrastructure to those who benefit the most.)”

Radically changing the rules of the game

“If predatory employers faced serious penalties, and the undocumented workers they are exploiting benefited from blowing the whistle, we would significantly increase the risk of exploiting workers.

The threat of exposure and prosecution alone will be sufficient for many to revamp their operations. In some sectors, the predators may simply move operations offshore. In others, predators may be forced out of business. As noted above, it may serve the public interest to provide transition assistance or start up assistance for replacement businesses.

Undoubtedly, a significant percent of undocumented workers would continue to evade detection, but employers would be far less likely to exploit them. If the workers are making a fair wage, the "race to the bottom" has a lower limit and the negative effect on wages is reduced.”

We have a right enforce immigration law and deport violators

“There are situations in which our interests are best served by providing an alternative to deportation. Nevertheless, if it does not serve a public interest to provide an alternative we should not hesitate to deport those who violate immigration laws.

We have a right to enforce our immigration laws. When we shift our focus to predatory employers, we are not forfeiting that right.

Offering legal status to whistleblowers serves us in two vital ways -- it deters predatory employers and it gives authorities vital resources "on the ground" who are motivated to expose those who are not deterred.

Targeting predatory employers creates a new class of unemployable undocumented workers If we do not institute a program that offers an opportunity to achieve legal (employable) status to those who are displaced, the deportation and support costs are likely to rise to intolerable levels.

If we decide that minimizing competition for jobs is worth the costs associated with deportation, the number of families who are offered legal status could be limited by entering those who qualify a "lottery" of sorts. It may seem harsh to allow chance to determine who stays and who goes, but deportation must remain the default consequence of breaking our immigration laws.”

First things first

We can't begin to make progress until we impeach Bush and Cheney and purge the new American fascists from our public institutions ((Impeachment First)). Only then can we effectively engage in the messy -- but democratic -- process of dealing with this and other critical problems.

Conclusion

“Our underground economy makes the United States very attractive to people who are struggling to survive in their own countries. We can change the dynamics right now and virtually eliminate the underground economy, and in the process, minimize the incentive to enter this country unlawfully.

Saying no to the exploitation of workers is central to controlling our borders. Radically changing the rules of the game makes other aspects of controlling immigration more manageable, but it does not eliminate the need for them. We still need to do a better job of tracking the foreign nationals who come here to work, study, or visit. We still need to make our border with Mexico as impenetrable as possible, while weighing the costs against the benefits.

We cannot continue to hypocritically turn a blind eye to violations of our immigration laws or tolerate the exploitation of workers within our borders. As is often the case, committing to enacting and enforcing laws that that reflect our values is not just the right thing to do, it ultimately serves the common good.”

Posted by: pat_k

[lies and propaganda]

6. I think he was only stating

that he saw a little more to the issue then 'their taking our jobs.' He saw the shitty side of it and commented, he didnt give any opinions. And he called the muinutemen creepy, which they are ;)

I just have your back because Im an Arizonan who has no clue how to really feel about this insanely complicated issue, especially in this state.

[janx]

10. It's crazy here in NM too. n/t

[Squatch]

11. BTW...your state of Arizona is F***ing BEAUTIFUL

I loved every bit of it, except the Phoenix metroplex, which I found a bit frenetic.

[lies and propaganda]

31. I agree! Ive swam in the Colo inside the Grand Canyon

I found rocks that had huge layers of limestone, quartz, even obsidian, So many years held in my hands!

[blondeatlast]

29. Another Arizonan, and I am in much the same boat. First, though,

we need to go after the employers--hitting the very worst offenders (and I can name them!) ultra-hard enough to scare the others.

It isn't really that complicated to check out green cards (my hubby just became a citizen and he's been checked several times as a "greenie"). Force the biggest employers (construction, hotels/resorts) to do it and the little guys will fall into line.

It just takes someone with real guts to do it--maybe our governor can--as a lame-duck she can kick some real ass (she's already stuck it to the Feds more than once on the issue)?

[poverlay]

30. This Arizonan seconds that! n/t Go Janet! Kick Kyl!

[lies and propaganda]

32. The Employers getting actual fines and jailtime would solve a ton.

along with much needed changes being made in Mexico...

Buts thats the thing we all know, the repugs bitch about the Mexicans, but are just as addicted to their cheap labor as they are oil.

[TX-RAT]

7. Not much different over in TX, Squatch

A Buddie of mine outside Langtry has already lost 11 head of cattle, one truck, his fence cut 14 times in a 3 mile strip and his home broke into twice. All done this year.

[Squatch]

9. We did some aerial recons of their overnighting areas

There are thousands of these places strewn across the desert, each consisting of ACRES of trash, backpacks, human waste, etc.

It's a shame that this is going on.

[TX-RAT]

14. It's a shame that this is going on.

Yes it is.

Sorry your in the middle of it.

[Squatch]

15. Not any more. I'm back home, enjoying an ICE cold beer.

Although I miss the more beautiful natural aspects of the SW.

[hashibabba]

17. Squatch, thanks for informing us on this subject. Any

information helps us to better understand this situation.

[Squatch]

18. Is anybody having problems seeing the pictures?

If so, I can host them elsewhere.

[Der Blaue Engel]

21. Yep n/t

[Squatch]

23. Fixed below

[Javaman]

19. pics aren't loading. :( nt

[Squatch]

22. Here they are:

Pic 1 from the opening post:



Pic 2 from the typical border crossers post:

[Der Blaue Engel]

24. Aw, man, that first one makes me homesick

:cry: I left Tucson 17 years ago. There's nothing like that desert. :cry:

Thanks for the pic...it is now my desktop. :D

[Squatch]

27. I've got Baboquivari Peak as my desktop

in the middle of a summer downpour. Absolutely beautiful.

[proud patriot]

25. thanks

:)

[annabanana]

26. It sure is beautiful country. Harsh, though..

My folks are in Tucson and we get out there a couple times a year. (Usually in August, whew). It is a tricky situation out there, and Americans are SO not on the same page about it.

[Kali]

33. Thanks for your words. It IS complicated and getting worse

because the more invested in the problem instead of real solutions, the more VESTED various interets become in maintaining the status quo (or escalating the game - because that is all it really is)

I'm on a ranch in Cochise county and see it all. Ran a Border Patrol kid off the private property just the other day. I'm sick of it all. The trash, the trails, the cut fences, the federal cops all over my property, (and they contribute to the trash trails and cut fences at least equally) It is time to try SOMETHING else, ANYTHING else. This is NOT working.