03.24.05
Bush Misrepresents ‘Minuteman Project’
I’m actually in favor of liberalizing immigration law, but the President is mis-characterizing a group of people who want to help tighten down the southern border. Over 1,000 people have volunteered for the Minuteman Project which will attempt to monitor the Arizona-Mexico border (The group includes 30 pilots and their private planes). What irks me is this:
President Bush yesterday said he opposes a civilian project to monitor illegal aliens crossing the border, characterizing them as “vigilantes.”
The term “vigilantes” implies that these individuals actually plan to apprehend, and perhaps even punish, people who attempt to illegally cross the border. In reality, the project is more like a neighborhood watch program.
Civilians will monitor the movement of illegal aliens for the month of April and report them to the Border Patrol.
Mr. President, this type of rhetoric will not assist in promoting the cause of immigration reform.
Bush decries border project - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - March 24, 2005
