quote:

The sheriff of Arizona's most populous county has mobilized a posse to seek out and arrest illegal aliens for conspiracy to smuggle themselves into the United States.


The efforts come on the heels of an anti-human-smuggling statute that took effect in Arizona in August and gave prosecutors a tool to go after "coyotes," or smugglers, who traffic in illegal immigrants.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office later issued an opinion saying illegal immigrants suspected of paying coyotes could be prosecuted as conspirators.

On Wednesday night, a 250-member posse of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio launched patrols in desert areas and major roadways southwest of Phoenix in search of illegal immigrants to arrest.

The group was comprised of existing Maricopa County sheriff's deputies and members of the department's 3,000-member posse reserve of trained volunteers.

The posse was patrolling the area here for illegal immigrants who pay smugglers to cross through Arizona, the busiest illegal entry point along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border.

There was no immediate word on any arrests so far.

Those who are captured by the posse may end up in jail, charged under the state law that allowed local law enforcement agencies to charge suspected smugglers in Arizona, it was already a federal crime.

It has been used against more than 100 illegal immigrants in Maricopa County this year.

The law was meant to crack down on smugglers, but under a disputed interpretation, County Attorney Andrew Thomas argues the law also can be applied to the smuggled immigrants themselves.

Thomas maintains illegal immigrants who pay smugglers to enter the United States are committing conspiracy to smuggle and can therefore be prosecuted under the state law. It's punishable by up to two years in jail.

"It's going to be a help to the county," posse member D.J. Pigott said. "Illegal immigrants are getting everything that, in my estimation, they should not get. We're being overrun by these people. If the federal government is not going to do it, the sheriff is going to do it."

It remains to be seen whether a judge will uphold the smuggling law as applicable to illegal immigrants. Lawyers for some arrested illegal immigrants have filed motions to have the charges dismissed.

The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law in Los Angeles is challenging Thomas's interpretation.

"We agree with Andrew Thomas that federal immigration policy is a mess," said Peter Schey, director of the human rights group. "But we part company when it comes to what should be done about that. We don't believe anyone has the right to break the law because they're frustrated with federal policy."

Even the authors of the state smuggling law say it was meant to crack down on violent immigrant smugglers, not the people they're transporting.

"I never intended that immigrants would be arrested," said Rep. Jonathan Paton, a Republican who was one of three legislators to write the smuggling law.

Other police agencies say that arresting illegal immigrants under the law would overwhelm them financially.

"I can't afford to do what Sheriff Arpaio is doing," said Sheriff Tony Estrada of Santa Cruz County, one of four Arizona border counties. "He can do a lot of crazy things with his resources. We can't. We're strapped."

The law wasn't intended to be used against the one's being smuggled, only the coyotes? I agree with Sherriff Joe go after them all. I think of it like the coyote being the driver in a bank robbery, yes they aim to benefit from the crime with money, but the people who they are transporting are doing the much more dramatic crime of not paying taxes, killing our education systems, driving around without insurance,Drivers license, pretty much having their way with a system we support and follow. Get'em all Joe, and if Joe frequents this board , just post up if you need people to help patrol, I will gladly brave the heat.

Wonder what credentials you have to have to be on the posse.

I agree, though the coyotes are the real criminals here - they're the ones profiting. Still, the illegals know what they're doing is illegal, so at the very least, round them up and go deposit them on Mexico's southern border.

Membership in the Posse shall be confined to United States Citizens who are residents of the State of Arizona and have good moral character. Each member must pledge allegiance to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America and of the State of Arizona. Persons desiring to join the Posse shall make applications in such form and manner as may be determined by the Sheriff's Office. The purpose of the Posse is to assist the Sheriff's Office in Public Safety Communications. Members must submit written documentation of their status as an Amateur Radio Operator and/or as a licensed Commercial Radiotelephone Operator. If a new member does not have a FCC radio license, that new member must obtain an applicable radio license within one year of membership.

Man AZ rocks. Such a take no bullshit from anyone state.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gbizzle:
Membership in the Posse shall be confined to United States Citizens who are residents of the State of Arizona and have good moral character. Each member must pledge allegiance to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America and of the State of Arizona. Persons desiring to join the Posse shall make applications in such form and manner as may be determined by the Sheriff's Office. The purpose of the Posse is to assist the Sheriff's Office in Public Safety Communications. Members must submit written documentation of their status as an Amateur Radio Operator and/or as a licensed Commercial Radiotelephone Operator. If a new member does not have a FCC radio license, that new member must obtain an applicable radio license within one year of membership.[/QUOTE/]

Surely Posse members are not required to be Ham operators. I could see a ham operator being a Posse member who assists the department in communicatioins but I doubt that all Posse members are required to be card carrying Hams!

The tech license is easy, no code test anymore. I need to get off my tail and get one.

Posse members also must pay for uniforms, radios, and firearms.

Posse members on my side of town are 65+ and drive like it too.

Posse members must also swear allegance to Chuck NOrriss. If they dont, he will round huose kick you to the face...

damn..im jealous.

someone needs to start one of those up in texas..i know what id be doin

They arrested 1 (one) suspected illegal immigrant. Should have staked out Home Depot for an hour, they'd have filled Tent City.

-Spike

Hey saw something interesting tonight while out. As I was turning into the Walmart at 38 st and Thomas, There is a big white sign with:

quote:

Do Not
Pick Up
Day Laborers
ARS 13-1502: A-1

They have those all over. At the corner by my house, the day laborers stand in front of the sign that says not to pick them up. Maybe they should put the signs in Spanish?

I'm with sheriff Joe. This immigration crap is out of control. Even in Florida it's getting horrible.

Some of the public schools are all Spanish. That's sad. I'm paying taxes to pay for some kid to learn who cant even speak the English language.

Ran this through Snopes.com and it says it's true. Great read from an Arizona man.

>> This letter sent to Senator Frist from a retired border patrol agent
>> has more common sense than all the bull being spewed from the Senate,
>> with the exception of a few sensible representatives. Anyway, this
>> guy has it together and shows the rhetoric for what it is.
>>
>> Dear Senator Frist:
>> There is a huge amount of propaganda and myths circulating about
>> "Illegal Aliens", particularly "Illegal Mexican, Salvadorian,
>> Guatemalan and Honduran Aliens".
>>
>> 1. "Illegal Aliens" generally do NOT want U.S. citizenship. Americans
>> are very vain thinking that everybody in the world wants to be a U.S.
>> citizen. Mexicans, and other nationalities want to remain citizens of
>> their home countries while obtaining the benefits offered by the
>> United States such as employment, medical care, in-state tuition,
>> government subsidized housing and free education for their offspring.
>> Their main attraction is employment and their loyalty usually remains
>> at home. They want benefits earned and subsidized by middle class
>> Americans. What "Illegal Aliens" want are benefits of American
>> residence without paying the price.
>>
>> 2. There are no jobs that Americans won't do. "Illegal Aliens" are
>> doing jobs that Americans can't take and still support their families.
>> "Illegal
>> Aliens" take low wage jobs, live dozens in a single residence home,
>> share expenses and send money to their home country. There are no
>> jobs that Americans won't do for a decent wage.
>>
>> 3. Every person who illegally entered this nation left a home. They
>> are NOT homeless and they are NOT Americans. Some left jobs in their
>> home countries.
>> They come to send money to their real home as evidenced by the more
>> than 20 billion dollars sent out of the country each year by "Illegal
>> Aliens".
>> These
>> "Illegal aliens" knowingly and willfully entered this nation in
>> violation of the law and therefore assumed the risk of detection and
>> deportation.
>> Those
>> who brought their alien children assumed the responsibility and risk
>> on behalf of their children.
>>
>> 4. "Illegal Aliens" are NOT critical to the economy. "Illegal Aliens"
>> constitute less than 5% of the workforce. However, they reduce wages
>> and benefits for lawful U.S. residents.
>>
>> 5. This is NOT an immigrant nation. There are 280 million native born
>> Americans. While it is true that this nation was settled and founded
>> by immigrants (Legal Immigrants), it is also true that there is not a
>> nation on this planet that was not settled by immigrants at one time
>> or another.
>>
>> 6. The United States is welcoming to "Legal Immigrants. "Illegal Aliens"
>> are
>> NOT immigrants by definition. The U.S. accepts more lawful immigrants
>> every year than the rest of the world combined.
>>
>>
>>
>> 7. There is no such thing as the "Hispanic Vote". Hispanics are
>> white, brown, black and every shade in between. Hispanics are
>> Republicans, Democrats, Anarchists, Communists, Marxists and
>> Independents. The so-called "Hispanic Vote" is a myth. Pandering to
>> "Illegal Aliens" to get the Hispanic Vote is a dead end.
>>
>> 8. Mexico is NOT a friend of the United States. Since 1848 Mexicans
>> have resented the United States.
>> a) During World War I Mexico allowed German Spies to operate
>> freely in Mexico to spy on the U.S.
>> b) During World War II Mexico allowed the Axis powers to spy on
>> the US.
>> from Mexico.
>> c) During the Cold War Mexico allowed spies hostile to the U.S.
>> to operate freely.
>> d) The attack on the Twin Towers in 2001 was cheered and
>> applauded all across Mexico.
>> e) Today Mexican school children are taught that the U.S. stole
>> California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. If you don't believe it,
>> check out some Mexican textbooks written for their schoolchildren.
>>
>> 9. Although some "Illegal Aliens" enter this country for a better
>> life, there are 6 billion people on this planet. At least 1 billion
>> of those live on less than one dollar a day. If wanting a better life
>> is a valid excuse to break the law and sneak into America, then let's
>> allow those one billion to come to America and we'll turn the USA
>> into a Third World nation overnight.
>>
>> Besides, there are 280 million native born Americans who want a
>> better life.
>> I'll bet Bill Gates and Donald Trump want a better life. When will
>> the USA lifeboat be full? Since when is wanting a better life a good
>> reason to trash another nation?
>>
>> 10. There is a labor shortage in this country: This is a lie. There
>> are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American housewives,
>> senior citizens, students, unemployed and underemployed who would
>> gladly take jobs at a decent wage.
>>
>> 11. It is racist to want secure borders:
>> a) What is racist about wanting secure borders and a secure America?
>> b) What is racist about not wanting people to sneak into America
>> and steal benefits we have set aside for legal aliens, senior
>> citizens, children and other legal residents?
>> c) What is it about race that entitles people to violate our
>> laws, steal identities, and take the American Dream without paying
>> the price?
>>
>> For about four decades American politicians have refused to secure
>> our borders and look after the welfare of middle class Americans.
>> These politicians have been of both parties. A huge debt to American
>> society has resulted. This debt will be satisfied and the interest
>> will be high.
>> There
>> have
>> already been riots in the streets by "Illegal Aliens" and their
>> supporters.
>> There will be more. You, as a politician, have a choice to offend the
>> "Illegal Aliens" who have stolen into this country and demanded the
>> rights afforded to U.S. citizens or to offend those of us who are
>> stakeholders in this country. The interest will be steep either way.
>>
>> There will be civil unrest. There will be a reckoning. Do you have
>> the courage to do what is right for America? Or, will you bow to the
>> wants and needs of those who don't even have the right to remain
>> here? There will be a reckoning. It will come in November of this
>> year, again in 2008 and yet again in 2010. We will not allow America
>> to be stolen by third world agitators and thieves.
>>