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Oct 27, 2003 As stated in Part 2 of this series, (The Rise Of Vigilante Justice), The Yuma County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on October 6th, 2003 to pass a resolution condemning “vigilante” groups that are on the rise on the southern borders of the state and reiterated that it is the job of the U.S. Border patrol and its trained agents to secure the border against illegal immigration. Two days later, on October 8th, sentencing was held in the Yuma County Courthouse by a judge who said the actions of Matthew Hoffman, Yuma and Alexander Dumas of California for illegally detaining six immigrants from across the border during the early morning hours of July 31st, 2003 were not only against the law but misguided and un-American. Superior Court Judge Andrew Gould sentenced Hoffman to 120 days in jail with credit for 17 days already served(Hoffman held a gun on the group) and Dumas was given a 30 day jail sentence with credit for 16 days served. In addition, Gould placed both men on a 3year probation period warning if they violated their terms of probation, they could be sent to prison. “This case IS not about protecting the American Border. This case IS about a criminal act, so don’t go wrapping yourselves in an American flag. Americans believe in treasuring, valuing and protecting children no matter their nationality.” Two of the six immigrant detainees were women, one was a teen age boy of 16, now 17, and the other three were children ages 6, 8 and 10, ”The sentencing of two men here on Wednesday symbolize the friction that exists on the issue of illegal immigration. They, like a growing number of people, are so frustrated with what they feel is a failure to keep our borders secure from illegal crossings they are taking action themselves. “The two men, Hoffman and Dumas, acknowledged before their sentencing for conspiracy to commit unlawful imprisonment that they, now, realize their actions were wrong, especially in regard to brandishing weapons and handcuffing the children. “Unfortunately, many of their supporters still do not see that they were wrong and are angry that the men were arrested and actually given jail terms instead of a slap on the wrist. Some even have called them ‘heroes’ and great Americans for trying to stem the tide of illegal aliens. “Well, they are not heroes. They are misguided individuals who chose to try to take the law into their own hands instead of working within our representative system of government to bring about changes that they want. They wrongly believe that means, no matter how wrong, justify the end.” “We wish we felt this would be the end of this dispute, but unfortunately it may only serve to fuel the anger of those who feel their actions were justified. Our community could be entering a difficult time as we cope with the situation. “The answers to illegal immigration cannot come from our community alone. This is really an issue for our national representatives. Illegal immigration will continue as long as the reality of an economic situation that causes it is ignored. A realistic framework for a guest worker program is badly needed.” Although, I have not always agreed with the editorial policies of The Yuma Daily Sun, I feel the above editorial has said it all to the Yuma community. Information for the five articles on illegal immigration and its impact on America has been edited from the pages of The Arizona Republic, The Yuma Daily Sun, news broadcast clips from TV stations KYEL, KYMA and interviews with local officials and Yuma citizens. For reference Purposes: Part 1.- Indian Tribe VS. Themselves And Immigrants Part 2.- The Rise Of Vigilante Justice Part 3.- Vigilante Justice In Action Part 4.- They’re coming! They’re coming! Part 5.- Here Comes The Judge! ------------ 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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