Minuteman executive director speaks in Indio


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10:00 PM PST on Friday, November 30, 2007

By STEVE MOORE and OLGA ROJAS-PRICE
The Press-Enterprise

INDIO - Major progress could be made over the next couple of years in stopping illegal immigration, according to a top leader of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.

On Friday, Al Garza, the group's national executive director, told a Republican lunch gathering it will take strict enforcement of immigration laws, building more border fencing, hiring additional U.S. Border Patrol agents and cutting off government benefits for illegal immigrants, except in emergencies.

Garza, second in command of the Minuteman group, said there's no need for new immigration legislation.


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Ramon Mena Owens / The Press-Enterprise
Al Garza, Minuteman Civil Defense Corps national executive director, speaks to a Republican luncheon audience at the Heritage Palms Clubhouse in Indio on Friday. Garza said it will take strict enforcement of the law to help stop illegal immigration.
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In an interview after his speech, Garza said, "Americans did not know what was going on. Now, they understand our laws are being broken.

"Now, we've told the Congress, the president, 'You don't have any choice. The power of the people has spoken. We want you to do your job. ... Protect and defend the country and do the will of the people.' "

Some in the Latino community disagree with the Minuteman group's stance.

Rosalio Plata, president of Michoacanos' Club Juan Colorado, said the country needs new immigration legislation with an amnesty or legalization process for people who have lived in the United States for 10 or 20 years. He said it would be "cruel" to send them back to Mexico.

Plata came to the U.S. illegally 22 years ago and now owns an insurance business.

"It's not their fault they were brought over here," he said. "They only know this country."

He said undocumented workers do jobs for minimum wage -- washing dishes, picking crops, gardening and janitorial work -- that Americans won't.

Plata said instead of building a border fence, it would be better to help Mexico improve its economy with more trade and create additional jobs there.

Mario Lazcano, a member of the Committee Latino and a radio broadcaster in the Coachella Valley, said illegal immigration is a complex problem "that requires a just, humane and integral immigration reform."

"We have to bear in mind that the United States has the right to protect its borders," Lazcano said. "But not at the cost of the daily death of an undocumented immigrant.

"We must recognize the immigrants, with or without documents, come to this country to work, ... and we contribute to the economy of the United States."

Lazcano called the Minuteman group "extremist" and "fanatic."

Plata said the Minuteman should "let the Border Patrol do its job" and accused the group of making the "U.S. system look bad."

During his remarks before the Coachella Valley-Heritage Palms Congress of Republicans, Garza said, "The federal government isn't doing the job, so the Minutemen are.

"There's no room for debate, you're either here legally or not. ... No ifs, ands and buts."

Gaining control of U.S. borders is a matter of "national security" because of Middle Eastern terrorists, Garza said.

Garza disputed allegations by some that the group is "racist."

"We believe in the rule of law," he said. "What's racist about that?"

Garza, who has Mexican ancestry, occasionally used a few lines of Spanish while addressing the group of 90 people. Members of the Republican group emphasized they aren't necessarily endorsing Minuteman activities but wanted to present an informational community program.

The 61-year-old graduated from high school in Norco, fought as a Marine in the Vietnam War, became a private investigator and now lives in Arizona.

The Minuteman group has saved the lives of more than 300 people trying to cross the border and has provided food, water and in some cases, medical treatment, he said.

Garza blames the U.S. government, Mexico and big corporations for illegal immigration but spares from harsh criticism those crossing the border for jobs.

Reach Steve Moore at 760-837-4417 or stevemoore@PE.com

Reach Olga Rojas-Price at 760-837-4413 or orojas@PE.com

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/s...1.31530a5.html