Thread: Minuteman group organizes in Wyo

Minuteman group organizes in Wyo

By MEGAN LEE
Star-Tribune staff writer Saturday, January 12, 2008



Border control, while a major topic of debate nationally, generally isn't considered a problem in landlocked Wyoming. However, Casper resident Ruthann Carter, an area landlord, is making illegal immigration a local issue.

"We're doing this for the security of the whole nation," Carter said. "We're not against immigration and we're not against Mexicans. We're against anyone who is here illegally -- anyone who is breaking immigration laws."

Carter is state director of the newly founded Wyoming Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a statewide branch of the national Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.

The Wyoming Minuteman branch includes chapters in Casper and Newcastle, but Carter is hoping to add chapters throughout the state so that anyone interested in the group can participate without a long drive. An informational and business meeting of the Casper branch will be held at the American Legion building on Legion Lane today at 11 a.m.

The meeting will include discussion of recruitment and viewing of the film "Islam: What the West Needs to Know."

According to Carter, while the group sometimes sends volunteers to watch borders in states such as Arizona, Texas and California, Minuteman does more than protect national borders.

Carter founded the Wyoming branch to protect and enforce immigration-related laws within the state. The group plans to organize watches within the state where illegal immigrants are likely to work and to keep in close contact with legislators on state and national levels.

The original Minuteman Project was founded in 2002 by activists Chris Simcox and Jim Gilchrist. After the leaders parted ways in 2005, Simcox began the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps with a mission "to secure United States borders and coastal boundaries against unlawful and unauthorized entry of all individuals, contraband, and foreign military."

Accused by opponents of racism since the group's inception, Simcox has recently come under scrutiny by his followers for being too soft on illegal immigrants. In late 2007, Simcox endorsed Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, whose policies are viewed as too liberal among anti-illegal immigration voters. As a result of Simcox's endorsement, some former Minuteman members have broken from the group.

But the Minuteman Corps' followers, like Carter, still believe in Simcox and his cause.

"I don't think he's soft on immigration at all," said Carter. "He's the one who's behind the whole movement to build the border fence and to enforce the laws that we already have. He's a wonderful leader."

Volunteers at local, state and national levels of the Minuteman group donate time and money to the anti-alien cause, and often participate in "spotting" -- where two members at a time work with border patrol officials to stop illegal immigrants as they cross into the U.S.

"(Simcox) has the whole movement working closely with border agents, and I think they really appreciate having our help, because the government isn't helping them. We've picked up the slack where the government should be."

And according to Carter, "not just anyone can be a Minuteman."

The Minuteman registration process includes a $50 administrative fee and a complete background check.

"We really believe in it," Carter said. "I asked myself, 'What can I do for my country?' I can do this. Everyone involved is very passionate."


www.jacksonholestartrib.com

William better check with Simcox on this endorsement thing. I think the article got it wrong and the paper needs to make a retraction.

Isn't this Jim Gihchrist they are speaking of as far as the endorsement of Huckabee?

Matthew 18:20

Unless I missed something, sounds like the reporter mixed up Simcox with Gilchrist.

I believe Simcox signed the letter that W sent around about Huckabee.

Yep this writer got confused. Simcox has not endorsed Huckabee.

W