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ENOKIAN: Arlington Heights Showdown Highlights Importance of Minuteman Project

Monday, October 24, 2005

- Lee Enokian
OPINION - The Chicago Minuteman Project held its first regional conference in Arlington Heights a week ago Saturday. Illegal immigration advocates marred the pro-American event.

Five Chicagoans were arrested and charged with battery and resisting arrest after clashing with police. Not surprisingly, Chicago is an unrepentant haven for illegal immigrants. CPD regulation even forbids officers from taking action against these lawbreakers for their criminal status.

Minutemen presented an “‘America First’ Summit on National Security� on a week ago Saturday at the Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights. Ethnic Mexican, Native-American, Chinese and African-American speakers were scheduled to address attendants.

About 20 police officers were on-duty for the scheduled event when a large crowd of about 400 anti-American extremists demonstrating against American sovereignty became violent. Many threw bottles and fought with police as officers removed them from an entrance to the Academy.

Police on the scene requested assistance and over 150 additional officers from surrounding suburbs responded to control the unruly crowd. Civil disobedience like this illustrates the disdain supporters of illegal immigration have for American communities. They have no respect for U.S. law and are not above violence to achieve their ends.

Minuteman volunteers began operations along Arizona’s southern border this April. They watch the US-Mexico border and report the presence of illegal immigration to proper U.S. law enforcement agencies. That’s all. Minutemen take no direct action other than calling the U.S. Border Patrol and reporting criminal activity.

So what’s wrong with calling the cops? Nothing - unless you’re a pro-criminal activist.

Detractors of the Minuteman Project unfairly brand members as racist opponents to Hispanic immigration. Since Minutemen don’t make physical contact, they don’t necessarily know the ethnicity of the lawbreakers they report.

Minuteman activities are within the strict realm of ethical, moral and legal parameters. This tells me their detractors are the real racists. Blindly pro-Hispanic illegal immigrant supporting extremists are simply trying to cloud the issue of immigration with inane politically correct rhetoric.

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), an outspoken racially pro-Hispanic politician said, "It is time for the Minutemen's 15 minutes of notoriety to be up."

Just where are your loyalties congressman? What is wrong with enforcing American immigration law? My family came to this nation legally, why can’t everyone else?

llegal immigration is just that - illegal.

Supporting illegal immigration is supporting criminal activity. This is such a basic idea; I didn’t think it really needed to be explained. We certainly don’t need more criminals in this country. We have enough of our own without adopting those from other nations as well.

Several states have suffered heavily under the criminal burden of illegal immigration. Robert Vasquez, county commissioner of Canyon County, Idaho attempted to have his county declared a disaster area because of problems caused by illegals. Governmental failure to act has now prompted him to run for Congress.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency in August this year. The state shares 180 miles of border with Mexico. Much of Dona Ana, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo counties are wide open to criminal penetration.

Richardson’s declaration says these counties have “been devastated by the ravages and terror of human smuggling, drug smuggling, kidnapping, murder, destruction of property and the death of livestock.�

The Mexican government offers hollow promises of assistance. Not only does the tide of illegal immigration continue unabated, but Mexico printed and distributed “how to� instruction booklets for would-be illegal emigrants to the U.S.

“Recent developments have convinced me this action is necessary - including violence directed at law enforcement, damage to property and livestock, increased evidence of drug smuggling, and an increase in the number of undocumented immigrants,� the declaration said.

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano declared a state of emergency and formed a task force to address problems caused by illegal immigrants. A July press release outlined several measures to combat this problem.

“State Illegal Immigration Enforcement Squad will also assist local law enforcement agencies reduce “catch and release� incidents where officers detail illegal immigrants, but are forced to release them because U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can’t or won’t pick them up.�

Napolitano also “directed Homeland Security Director Frank Navarrete to implement a Stolen Vehicle Border Enforcement Strategy for Arizona. It will be a concentrated effort by the state government to crack down on auto theft at the Arizona-Mexico Border.�

The state’s Fraudulent ID Task Force was expanded and given enhanced capabilities. “With a $500,000 grant from the state Homeland Security Office, the Task Force will expand to include Arizona Liquor License and Control, Department of Public Safety, the Department of Transportation Inspector General, and the Motor Vehicles Department. Among other enforcement activities, the Task Force will run stings to catch criminals who are manufacturing fake documents.�

Illegal immigration is no longer a crime perpetrated by individuals seeking a better life in America. It is organized by a determined criminal element, creating other criminals that are almost beyond government scrutiny or enforcement. They live by fake, almost untraceable documents and collect government services with impunity.

The United States owes nothing to illegal immigrants. We don’t owe them safe haven or expensive health benefits.

Prospective immigrants should demonstrate their willingness to become Americans by complying with our laws. They should apply for immigration through legal channels and await legal entrance to this nation. Violating this should result in lengthy prison terms prior to their permanent ejection from our nation.

American sovereignty is for us to defend and citizenship is available for lawful applicants. Patriotic citizens like members of the Minuteman Project should be honored.