Thread: Minuteman will open a chapter in Springs

http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1320661&secid=1

August 19, 2006

Minuteman will open a chapter in Springs


By R. SCOTT RAPPOLD - THE GAZETTE

Spending entire nights in the New Mexico desert scanning the horizon for the hint of movement that might be an illegal border crossing might not sound like the best way to spend a three-day weekend.

For Jeff Henry, it’s about protecting his country. Now, he hopes to bring his fight against illegal immigration 700 miles north, to Colorado Springs.

He is starting a local chapter of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a controversial group whose civilian members watch the Mexico border and report illegals to authorities.

“It’s dirty, hot, dangerous, nasty work, and a lot of people might not be willing to do it,”


said Henry, 48, of Colorado Springs. “There are people smuggling for the sex-slave trade, smuggling weapons. Anything you can think of that’s illegal is along that border.”

Although dozens of Colorado residents have taken part in the patrols, the group being formed here would have a two- fold purpose: to recruit volunteers to border-watch as well as to let people take less-adventurous measures against illegal immigration at home. Their first meeting is Aug. 29.

Although immigrant-rights groups and federal authorities oppose their activities — President Bush called them “vigilantes” — Henry said there will be no stakeouts, patrols or vigilantism in Springs streets.

“We’re not a confrontational group,” he said. “What we want to do is educate people about the issue.”

Unlike the desert tactics used along the border, the focus here will be on political action such as writing to legislators and educating businesses about how to verify employees’ immigration status.

“Our ultimate goal . . . is to put enough pressure on the federal government to do the job they’re supposed to do,” he said.

They may also compile on their Web site a list of businesses that don’t hire illegals, but he said they would not take the next step and identify those that do.

Members must be 18 and pass a background check. He said anyone who shows “racist tendencies or behavior” is excluded from the group.

“We have no place in our group for people who have that kind of attitude,” he said. He also disputes claims by some immigrant-rights groups that they are motivated by racism.

“There’s nothing racist about ‘illegal,’ ” he said.

The organizational meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 29 in the community room of the Colorado Springs police Falcon substation, 7850 Goddard St. The public is invited, though Henry said the second hour of the meeting will be for prospective members only.

A chapter also is being formed in Denver. Other groups are forming around the country, particularly in the West and Midwest.

http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/2006 ... S/60819005

Anti-illegal immigration group to form chapter in Springs

The Associated Press
August 19, 2006

COLORADO SPRINGS — A civilian border patrol group formed last year plans to open a chapter in Colorado Springs, spokesman Jeff Henry said.

The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps group, known for spending all night watching the Mexican border, doesn’t plan stakeouts or vigilante action in the city.group, known for spending all night watching the Mexican border, reports illegal immigrants to authorities. Federal authorities and civil rights groups have opposed their activities.

“Its dirty, hot, dangerous, nasty work, and a lot of people might not be willing to do it,” said Henry, 48, of Colorado Springs. “There are people smuggling for the sex-slave trade, smuggling weapons. Anything you can think of thats illegal is along that border.”

The group, whose first meeting will be Aug. 29, will be recruiting volunteers to go to the border as well as watch for illegal immigration in Colorado Springs.

Henry said there will be no stakeouts, patrols or vigilantism in Springs streets.
“Were not a confrontational group,” he said. “What we want to do is educate people about the issue.”

The local group’s focus will be on political action, including letters.

“Our ultimate goal . . . is to put enough pressure on the federal government to do the job theyre supposed to do,” he said.

Henry said they may also report businesses that use illegal workers on a Web site.

No racists will be allowed. “We have no place in our group for people who have that kind of attitude. There is nothing racist about illegal.”

Volunteers must be 18.