http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/03 ... _25_06.txt






200 rally in support of stricter border control

By: BRIAN ECKHOUSE - Staff Writer

TEMECULA ---- Though the 200-plus supporters of stricter border control who packed a Temecula park Saturday couldn't compare numbers to the 500,000 immigrants' rights activists who jammed downtown Los Angeles, many of the local participants said their staunch opposition to extending rights to illegal immigrants was shared by a majority of Americans.

A few speakers at Pala Community Park, however, acknowledged that they were upset that law enforcement didn't arrest the thousands of illegal immigrants marching the streets of Los Angeles on Saturday.

Tim Donnelly, a leader of the Minutemen of California, said he "dreamed" that all Border Patrol cruisers stationed in Campo had been relocated to Los Angeles on Saturday to deal with the illegal immigrants and their supporters who marched "on our streets."


The Minutemen voluntarily monitor the U.S.-Mexico border, and report any curious activity to law enforcement officials.

Ralliers in Temecula ---- particularly the Minutemen ---- support the Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives, but oppose some senators' campaign to add a guest-worker/amnesty plan to the bill.

Assemblyman Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta, said it is "time to stop rewarding the lawbreaker" with reduced college tuition, food stamps and limited health care.

Some speakers issued a warning to President Bush should he ultimately back the guest-worker addendum.

"If he thought the Dubai ports things was a challenge, he hasn't seen anything yet," said Arne Chandler, referring to Dubai Ports World, a United Arab Emirates company, which had been granted federal approval to manage a half-dozen major American ports ---- but withdrew following a public outcry.

Chandler represents CASA, or the Citizen Activists for a Secure America.

A common theme woven throughout the two-hour rally was the belief that the U.S.-Mexico border is too porous.

"We have lost control of the border," said Richard Randall, a Norco resident who is a member of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps. "There are probably 5 million illegals in Southern California. You go to construction sites all over and you see them having other people's (citizens') jobs."

But the problem isn't limited to the border, said Marie Waldron, an Escondido city councilwoman and candidate for state Assembly.

She encouraged the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement to better support local law enforcement.

Speaker Lupe Moreno, a resident of Orange County who is seeking a seat in the state Senate, received the most applause. She is the daughter of a Mexican immigrant and a Texan. She was born in the United States.

Moreno, a member of Latino Americans for Immigration Reform, said it wasn't odd that she is vehemently against giving rights to illegal immigrants.

In 1990, her 13-year-old nephew, Ruben Morfin, was shot in the head, allegedly by an illegal immigrant in Salinas. Ruben died a day later.

"We need to tell illegal aliens: 'You cannot break our laws; we won't accept this. Go home,'" Moreno said.

The event, which was patrolled by two Temecula police officers, was peaceful ---- with the exception of the participants' reaction to Temecula resident Eric Scharf's statement that they were "white people" and "racists."

About 30 people chased Scharf ---- before the officers stepped in. Scharf, 21, and his 16-year-old brother, Matt Illich, were issued warnings by the officers.

Bob Springer of La Mirada yelled, "Throw him in jail."

Another man barked, "If you love Mexico, go back."

Scharf, who is white, said he overheard the public address system while at his sister's house, which is about a mile from Pala Community Park, and decided to counter the rally participants' message.

"I'm sick of extra taxes like these people, but it's not the Mexicans' fault for coming here," Scharf said in an interview. "If you had a family, I'd imagine you'd come over here, too."

But Chandler, citing two recent car accidents he had with uninsured illegal aliens, said Americans suffer because there are "no consequences" for the actions of illegal immigrants.

Contact staff writer Brian Eckhouse at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626, or beckhouse@californian.com.