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Oct 16, 2003 On August 29th, 13 illegal immigrants were stopped minutes after they entered the United States by way of federal land located along the southeastern border of Arizona with Mexico in Cochise County. >br> The group was asked to sit down, offered water and first aid and told to wait while U.S. border patrol agents were called to pick them up. Thinking they were already in the custody of agents, everyone in the group complied. After they were told they were being detained by a group of citizens who regularly patrol the border in an attempt to assist the Border agents, one man in the group agreed that listening to the citizens was a better idea than challenging them. “I saw they had guns so we just listened.” What the man didn’t know and what the group of citizens want everyone to know is that they had no intention of chasing anyone in the group and they haven’t pulled their weapons on any of the more than 1,600 illegal immigrants they have turned over to the Border Patrol agents this year. The mission of the Cochise County Civil Homeland Defense is to find groups of illegal immigrants, ask them to stay put, and then put in a call to the border agents. It is the type of mission they plan to take to Yuma County. One they say is being requested by up to 100 residents who are tired of the constant flow of illegal immigrants passing through their communities. “You can do this”, said Chris Simcox, the rugged, mid-thirties president of the Civil Homeland Defense Group, “and it can be done without violence.” What Simcox failed to say, at the time, is that he was also coming to Yuma to protest the arrest of Matthew Hoffman of Yuma and Alexander Dumas of Bear Lake, California who illegally detained six illegal immigrants in the early morning hours of July 31st in Gadsen, Arizona. His plan was to have his group arrive in Yuma by mid-September with groups patrolling the Yuma border by October also stating the Yuma group would eventually work independently on its own. “We will give them our model and then it will be up to them,” added Simcox. His model consists of the use of night vision goggles, walkie-talkies, first-aid equipment and carrying a handgun. It also includes offering illegal immigrants first- aid, water and food if they need it and allowing those who chose to run away to do so without being pursued. Sounds like a simple plan of action but there is another side to this scenario. About the same Simcox was drawing up his plan to establish the Yuma branch of the Civilian Homeland Defense, another group was seated in a south Yuma county restaurant in Somerton, Arizona. Officials and residents had gathered to discuss the topic that had them both worried and angry: The arrival of a citizens group from another country which would patrol the Yuma County border with Mexico in search of illegal immigrants. In the restaurant was a state representative, a staff member of a U.S congressman, a local mayor, a land developer and several residents. All had the same message for Chris Simcox and his Civil Homeland defense group. “We don’t want your people here. You should let the Border Patrol do their job.” They knew Simcox had promised to bring his group to Yuma within the week to train locals to patrol the Yuma County border with Mexico by October. Also concerned about Simcox is a Tucson-area immigrants rights group which recently launched a bi-national campaign to search out illegal immigrants who have had their right violated by any of these three citizen groups patrolling the Tucson area. Jennifer Allen, director of the Border Action Network, said Yuma residents should be concerned with Simcox’s plans and should make their concerns known to state and country officials. Back to the Somerton restaurant, Luis Heredia, who runs the Yuma office for U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva said that the Simcox plan is about racism against Hispanics. Nieves Reidel, owner of Reidel Construction in San Luis, AZ asserted Simcox should let the Border Patrol do its job. Somerton Mayor Agustin Tumbaga and State Rep. Amamda Aguirre of Yuma said they will work against the Simcox group. Nena Garcia, a citizen of Gadsen, made a great deal of sense when she stated the residents here are worried that the Simcox group will mistake “us” for illegal immigrants. The community is already plagued with the illegal activity, from people passing through the area, and residents are fearful for their safety. “We don’t need armed vigilantes adding to our fear”. Next: They’re Coming! They’re coming! ------------ About the author: Bobbie Hart O’Neill is a retired print media journalist, CSU-Sacramento, ’74, with 40 years experience in the field. She has worked as a reporter, feature writer, columnist, public relations writer, magazine/newsletter editor and publisher. She is currently a freelance writer residing in Yuma, Arizona and has published a children’s book, written three screenplays and a novel. In addition, she is interested in civic affairs, politics, current events, ethnology and animals. Visit her blog or email Bobbie: bobbieo@digitaldune.net Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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