http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3448504

Article Last Updated: 1/28/2006 10:29 PM


Crossing reports bolstes activists

By Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Although civilian border patrol groups are angered by what they call a lack of response from the White House concerning Mexican military crossing the U.S. border, they are buoyed by an increased interest in their groups since news of the incursions broke.
Groups such as the Minuteman Project say the revelation that more than 200 incursions have occurred in the past decade raises the urgency of their mission.

"When this information gets put before the public, it gives the Minuteman more credibility," said Robin Hvidston, a Minuteman organizer based in Upland.

Hvidston said organizers are just as dismayed by the U.S. government's reactions to the reports as the incursions themselves.

After the Daily Bulletin published a story and documents on the incursions, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff acknowledged them but called the crossings mistakes caused by an unclear border line and criminals wearing outfits that resemble military uniforms.

Hvidston scoffed at the remarks.

"Chertoff's comments are a good recruiting method for the Minuteman," she said.

Few in the civilian border patrol groups are surprised that incursions have run in the hundreds.

Andy Ramirez, executive director of the Chino-based Friends of the Border Patrol, said he has always been aware that his trips to the border could lead to a confrontation with the military. Ramirez said he regularly meets with law enforcement to outline his projects and takes precautionary measures such as avoiding government roads and leaving dangerous areas at sunset. But Ramirez said there is little he and other organizers can do if they meet armed Mexican military.

"How are a few civilians going to take on automatic weapon fire? There's no way to prepare for that," Ramirez said. "You realize you might not go home that night."

The possibility of a military confrontation won't scare off Freddie Puckett, who recently founded Minuteman of One, a group with 25 members.

Puckett, who is based in Arizona, said six people have expressed interest in joining his border patrol group in the past week because of the incursion reports.
"Many people are very disturbed about this, and we're gonna continue doing our mission until the government does something about this," Puckett said.

Wendy Leung can be reached by e-mail at wendy.leung@dailybulletin.com or by phone at (909) 483-9376.