A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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April 29, 2005Citizen action on the BorderTwo news items in Arizona highlight the controversies and politics of illegal immigration. While a big issue for the US, its huge in AZ given that the Arizona/Sonora border is now the largest entry point. First the now famous "Minuteman" have several allies in the Arizona congressional ranks; no big surprise there. What is surprising is the vocal protests from them concerning President Bush's "vigilante" comments regarding the Minutemen. Former sportscaster and future gubernatorial candidate Rep. JD Hayworth stated "And for that simple constitutional act of standing up for border security these citizens were maligned far and wide by hysterical editorial writers and yes, sadly, even by the presidents of the United States and the Republic of Mexico,"Even John McCain is now speaking cautionsly on this issue, given the surprisely strong support across the AZ electorate for some action. Second, the US Dep of Justice is looking into possible civil action against US Army reservist Sgt. Patrick Haab. Mr Haab made a "citizens arrest" of several Mexican nationals at gunpoint in rural Maricopa County. Mr. Haab is not a part of the Minutemen. Our local county attorney, Andrew Thomas, a fairly conservative Replican, did not press charges because of the citizens arrest angle. (Turns out one of those "arrested" was a "coyote" and, according to Attorney Thomas, the rest were part of the "conspiracy". Mr Haab wasn't aware of that until after the fact.) This act has given Mr Haab new acclaim. Haab has become a celebrity among anti-immigrant groups since his April 10 arrest, making several appearances on national conservative television and radio shows, saying that undocumented immigrants are turning the country into "Americo," a combination of the United States and Mexico. Haab said Wednesday that his decision to draw a pistol on the immigrants had nothing to do with race or ethnicity. In AZ we're seeing widening splits in the Republican Party regarding immigration. Certainly Prop 200, proposed by Republicans but with significant Republican (i.e. Sen McCain) opposition highlighted that. The Minutemen activities have further accentuated that split. Posted by c3 at April 29, 2005 09:09 AMComments
Public officials can always be relied upon to make anti-vigilante comments for obvious reasons. But such instances of citizen attempts to enforce the law as they see it are always symptoms of a failure by law enforcement to do so, or at least a disconnect between public perception and governmental sensibilities. I support the rights of American citizens to act as minutemen in the ways they have so far in Arizona. But as I predicted before, I think the chances for this effort to end badly are on the high side. So stressing distance from actual enforcement is very important. This strikes me as something of a wedge issue, right now, within the ranks of the GOP. Maybe even within the ranks of the citizenry as well. IMO, the most ardent opponents of high immigration levels (legal or illegal) are at their essence indistinguishable from protectionists. If we were to solve the "illegal" problem but still allow large numers of immigrants into the American workforce, I doubt the vast majority of people opposing illegal immigration would be much pleased. In general, public officials and especially GOP members who are in the party for reasons of fiscal and economic policy tend to be much more in favor of free markets and fosterng the global economy than the rank and file conservative base as a whole. Posted by: bk at April 29, 2005 10:58 AMReread my post. a fairly conservative ReplicanFreudian slip. There are NO cyborgs holding public office in Arizona, as far as I know. Posted by: c3 at April 29, 2005 02:00 PM Are you sure? Have you been to the DMV lately? Posted by: Tully at April 29, 2005 03:20 PMThis is such a stupid issue and any 5 year old from any country can tell you that the government has a responsibility to make a honest effort here. What is next, the ACLU will close immigration at the airports because it’s not fair that the Mexicans can simply walk to here, whereas the French must fly here over an ocean to get here. America needs more people and Mexico is my first choose to get them. Let us just find a legal way to do it! Posted by: norgeman at April 29, 2005 05:03 PMAnd now to really blur the fault lines, moderate "Ahhnold" comes out in favor of the Minutemen. Now I'm all confused. What is the Republican position on illegal immigration? Posted by: c3 at April 30, 2005 11:12 AMWhat is the Republican position on illegal immigration? 'Bout the same as the Dems. Make lots of noises, do little. Posted by: Tully at April 30, 2005 04:27 PM |
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