Thread: Minuteman group grows amid illegal immigration fight

I found this article on Yahoo it's pretty good and brings out some good points.


By Carey Gillam
Thu Nov 1, 12:42 PM ET



KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - Retired Kansas policeman Ed Hayes lives a quiet life with his wife and pet poodles in a spacious suburban home near Kansas City, far from the main front line over illegal immigration along the U.S. border with Mexico.


But over the last 18 months the 66-year-old grandfather has been drawn into the battle nonetheless, becoming active on a second front.

He has joined many individuals, who, with state and municipal leaders, have given up waiting for federal action and are working to control illegal immigration themselves.

The issue has become a priority not only for activists like Hayes but also for state and local leaders around the United States who say illegal immigration limits job opportunities for Americans and severely strains community resources.

Hayes is a member of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps (MCDC), a national organization that is one of several groups that have formed, including one in Oklahoma called Outraged Patriots.

"It's not about skin color, it's about breaking the law," said Hayes, who oversees Kansas and Missouri chapters of the

MCDC.

Hayes hasn't yet engaged in a Minuteman border patrol, in which armed members actually search along the U.S.-Mexican border for those trying to cross illegally.

His efforts are generally restricted to joining with other like-minded Midwesterners in picketing construction sites employing undocumented workers or handing out pamphlets at carnivals and gun shows.

CONTROVERSIAL

The Minuteman group has a controversial reputation. Critics see it as a sometimes violent, racist organization of would-be vigilantes and some classify it as a hate group. But supporters say the group is non-violent and only aims to enforce the law.

"We demand border security, enforce our immigration laws, and make sure you hold people who hire illegal immigrants accountable," said MCDC national executive director Al Garza.

Minuteman membership has been growing nationally recently, with hundreds of new members added in the last three months, according to Garza.

A new chapter is starting in Colorado with a new-member meeting November 17, and the group now has some form of representation in nearly every state with a total of more than 9,000 members, Garza said.

Kansas City parks and recreation board member Frances Semler said she joined the MCDC last year because she was so frustrated with a lack of action by Congress and an increasing strain on community resources. Her membership has cost the city convention business and some have called for her dismissal.

Still, MCDC members say they see their fight against illegal immigration becoming more mainstream as states and municipalities around the country pass laws to curb illegal immigration.

Forty-three states enacted 182 immigration-related laws this year, "an unprecedented level of activity," according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

"This is not a political thing," said Hayes. "It's not a Democrat or a Republican thing. It's an American thing."

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Recommend It:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071101/us_ ... nuteman_dc

I have to transfer my membership from Ca. to Ok.

Maybe LA RAZA's problem is they are worried the Minutemen will catch up with them on membership!! Lets hope so!

Nothing wrong with joining the Minuteman. They are only for law enforcement and legal immigration like most Americans!

Now if your an illegal immigrant or for allowing illegal immigration you can name call all you want. Your merely show your true incentives. You want open borders no accountability and try to intimidate those who oppose your views. Well its still America and its not racist or to bigoted say you want legal immigration or to point out problems with having illegal immigration. Many different races support the minuteman they also happen to be American citizens.

Yup those old ladies and men sitting in beach chairs with binoculars seem to pose such a real threat pointing out illegals entering the country

Omg their picketing at construction sites that illegal immigrants are unlawfully being hired. Oh the outrage of this violence........please spare me.


At least their not running in the streets throwing objects and causing civil unrest like the illegal immigrants. Or saying all over video's how they want the nation of Aztlen or some other quack comments. How they feel they own this country etc and by any means will get it. So why are our jails so full of illegal immigrants again? Oh yeah violent crimes against American citizens.