Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Residents must be allowed to enforce property rights near the U.S. border
Government piece by GoldwaterInstitute: Nick Dranias

The Washington Times recently reported that Arizona rancher Roger Barnett is being sued in federal court for $32 million because he detained 16 trespassers on his ranch at gunpoint. The trespassers were illegal immigrants and they are claiming Barnett used excessive force and conspired to violate their constitutional rights. Barnett says his actions were justified because trespassing illegal immigrants previously invaded his home, destroyed his property and killed his calves.

This has transformed a private dispute over trespassing into a public clash over constitutional law and immigration policy. But it may also contain the seeds of a resolution to the rancorous debate over illegal immigration-one that would ground border control in individual liberty.

“Illegal immigrationâ€