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Kingston
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Jack
Is The U.S. Border Patrol Tipping Off The Mexican Gov't RE: Civilian Patrols?
Washington, May 11 -
You may have recently read news reports that the U.S. Border Patrol has been tipping off the Mexican government about the whereabouts of the Minuteman patrol units. When I heard this report - I was floored - would the United States Border Patrol actually work against their own mission to help control the borders? To help get to the bottom of that issue, a few of my colleagues and I will send a letter to the top brass at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Here's the text of the letter: May 11, 2006 Ms. Deborah J. Spero, Acting Commissioner U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department of Homeland Security 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20229 Dear Ms. Spero, According to recent reports, the United States Border Patrol has provided the Mexican government with surveillance information about the location of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. If true, these allegations are troubling as its only result could be to aid illegal immigration and put at risk law-abiding American citizens. The Minuteman Project has peacefully contributed to the mutual goal of controlling our borders to prevent illegal immigration and criminal activity. What troubles us is that the Mexican government itself has very strict laws against illegal immigration. In fact, Article 16 of the Mexican Constitution gives Mexican citizens the right to make citizen's arrests stating, In cases of flagrante delicto, any person may arrest the offender and his accomplices, turning them over without delay to the nearest authorities. In other words, Mexico grants its citizens the right to arrest illegal aliens and hand them over to police for prosecution. We are familiar with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's statement (05/09/2006) responding to this allegation. However, it is our opinion that this press release falls short of clarifying this situation fully which could put American lives at risk. In order to better understand the U.S. Border Patrol's role in this issue, we respectfully ask that your agency fully investigate the allegation and report your findings back to us. Thank you for your immediate consideration to this important matter. Sincerely, Jack Kingston John Doolittle