[maks_holi]

When you try to do something illegal... and especially when you are willing to pay to do something illegal... bad things can happen. When other criminals start preying on you, you can't really go to the cops... a fact the other criminals know well.

People trying to cross the border illegally into the U.S., have been finding this out the hard way, as other criminals compete for the biggest share of this lucrative business. And they compete as criminals have historically done: By threatening or killing anyone who gets in their way.

Doing illegal things, such as crossing the border, is getting downright dangerous these days.

Gee, that's too bad. Wish we could help.

-----------------------------------------

Smugglers raise stakes along border*-*Nation/Politics*-*The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

Smugglers raise stakes along border

by Jerry Seper
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 23, 2007

Rival alien and drug smugglers on the U.S.-Mexico border are targeting each other in a wave of escalating violence to win control of smuggling corridors into the United States, with at least four recent killings tied to efforts to kidnap migrants for ransom.

Three of the killings took place Feb. 8 north of Tucson, Ariz., in what federal and state law-enforcement authorities have described as one of the nation's most popular alien- and drug-smuggling corridors. Another occurred Jan. 28, south of Tucson.

Authorities said gang members are kidnapping illegal aliens being guided into the United States, demanding ransoms of up to $2,500 a person and killing the illegals, along with gang rivals, who resist. The kidnappings save the gangs the cost of recruiting migrants in Mexico and hiring guides, or "coyotes," to bring them across the border.

They also said some gang members are thought to have targeted "stash houses" in Phoenix, where illegal aliens are taken to await transportation to cities across the country.

Violence on the U.S.-Mexico border has risen dramatically over the past three years in what U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has called "an unprecedented surge." ICE has established intelligence and investigative operations along the border to combat the increased brutality.

In a recent report, ICE said the border gangs, which collect hundreds of millions of dollars annually in illicit profits, are becoming increasingly ruthless -- against their victims, rivals and federal, state and local police.

Much of that violence has targeted U.S. Border Patrol agents, who have seen a spike in incidents as the agency continues its efforts to bring larger areas of the border under operational control. Violence directed at agents has included physical and vehicle assaults, and shooting incidents.

Gunfire has become commonplace along the border, authorities said, particularly in the alien- and drug-smuggling corridors of southern Arizona. They said about 90 percent of the migrants headed north out of Mexico have hired a coyote to guide them into the United States.

T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council, which represents all 11,000 of the agency's non-supervisory agents, said violence by gangs battling for control of smuggling routes into the United States has increased dramatically, and is now spilling over into some U.S. communities.

Mr. Bonner said that while much of the violence is directed at rival gang members, there is what he called an "inevitable spillover that touches innocent civilians and law-enforcement officials on both sides of the border." He noted that the number of assaults against Border Patrol agents has more than doubled over the past two years.

"Cartels are far more inclined to utilize violence as a means of achieving their goal of successfully smuggling contraband and people," he said.

In the Feb. 8 incident, three Guatemalan nationals in a truck carrying illegal aliens were killed and three others wounded. One man, identified as a coyote, was killed in the Jan. 28 ambush as he drove across the desert with a load of 15 to 20 illegals, who fled.

The February incident followed by a day the attack of illegal aliens being led out of Mexico near Sasabe, Ariz., about 70 miles southwest of Tucson, by four men carrying assault weapons and wearing ski masks. The aliens were robbed, but none was reported injured.

[Gintovtosik]

If Bush was serious about stopping the flow of illegal immigrants into this country then this wouldn't be an issue. He's had six years. I put the blame squarely on his shoulders.

[Serttyfd]

I lived in El Paso, TX, a short time in Houston, and currently living in Phoenix, AZ.

This article didn't tell me anything I didn't already know... This article could have been written two decades ago and it still would have been old news.

[SmuffNuSMaxqh]

Fuck 'em...

[Seiblybiozy]

If Bush was serious about stopping the flow of illegal immigrants into this country then this wouldn't be an issue. He's had six years. I put the blame squarely on his shoulders.

I agree.

But just like drugs, there are people in power that are making BIG money on illegals..

[Shipsyspeepay]

Fuck 'em...

I agree. They Belong in Mexico

[Keeriewof]

I lived in El Paso, TX, a short time in Houston, and currently living in Phoenix, AZ.

This article didn't tell me anything I didn't already know... This article could have been written two decades ago and it still would have been old news.

Too true - and I live in Tucson. Most illegals just drive over legally and stay.

[gimffnfabaykal]

I hope they kill each other off ..

[DrCeshing]

Illegal aliens aren't killing each other off. What they're doing is driving us to work, cleaning our places of work, babysitting our kids while we go to work, and working on our farms. They're good enough to do all the jobs we won't do, do it for less money than we'd ever allow ourselves to be paid to do that kind of work, but they're not good enough to be tax-paying American citizens? Interesting logic.

The exploitation by America of cheap foreign labor is clear and shameful. There's no hiding behind it that you can do to make the fact of it go away. Like Lou Dobbs says, if you can't control the border first, the whole enterprise is shot from the get go. At the same time, nobody wants to make any national sacrifice by raising taxes to police the borders better. We just want everything for nothing.

[gimffnfabaykal]

Illegal aliens aren't killing each other off. What they're doing is driving us to work, cleaning our places of work, babysitting our kids while we go to work, and working on our farms. They're good enough to do all the jobs we won't do, do it for less money than we'd ever allow ourselves to be paid to do that kind of work, but they're not good enough to be tax-paying American citizens? Interesting logic.

Sure they are good enough to be tax-paying American citizens, but apparently they think they are too good to do it legally.

[DrCeshing]

And apparently illegals think they are too good to do it legally because the proof is that we have created an economic situation where we both need and then exploit them.

[Susanleech]

Illegal aliens aren't killing each other off. What they're doing is driving us to work, cleaning our places of work, babysitting our kids while we go to work, and working on our farms. They're good enough to do all the jobs we won't do, do it for less money than we'd ever allow ourselves to be paid to do that kind of work, but they're not good enough to be tax-paying American citizens? Interesting logic.

The exploitation by America of cheap foreign labor is clear and shameful. There's no hiding behind it that you can do to make the fact of it go away. Like Lou Dobbs says, if you can't control the border first, the whole enterprise is shot from the get go. At the same time, nobody wants to make any national sacrifice by raising taxes to police the borders better. We just want everything for nothing.

That a bit of a stretch to say these people do all our work. But whatever the case--it should be no excuse to turn a blind eye to a million illegal entries into the country. I dont care about the economics. This is a situation that has to be dealt with.

When is someone going to blame the corrupt government of Mexico instead of the U.S.--which gladly accepts its dirt poor?

[Heliosprime]

Illegal aliens aren't killing each other off. What they're doing is driving us to work, cleaning our places of work, babysitting our kids while we go to work, and working on our farms. They're good enough to do all the jobs we won't do, do it for less money than we'd ever allow ourselves to be paid to do that kind of work, but they're not good enough to be tax-paying American citizens? Interesting logic.

The exploitation by America of cheap foreign labor is clear and shameful. There's no hiding behind it that you can do to make the fact of it go away. Like Lou Dobbs says, if you can't control the border first, the whole enterprise is shot from the get go. At the same time, nobody wants to make any national sacrifice by raising taxes to police the borders better. We just want everything for nothing.

speak for yourself pal..while I don't pick my own lettuce, I don't use illgeals to do my bidding....I washed dishes, swabbed floors bussed tables etc.....and I'll bet MANY many have here too......americans that is..so that logic doesn't exactly hold water....and last I checked the jacksses in DC voted for a fence then didn't allocate any money..Bush be shamed....

what the issue is; large corp. have been allowed to leave wages stagnate at these range of jobs..everyone from McDonalds to 3 M etc. so they can take advantage of the cheap labor......IF we closed the border and started issuing visas ala as we do to Indians( sub saharan) and Asian immigrants, we might be able to correct some of this.....but in the end..I’ll say it again, these jobs are entry level jobs, and were never intended nor ever were a ‘living’ wage….if they were you be paying $8 for a Big mac…..not every job is worth $15 an hour etc…and it wasn’t when I was working them either….

when my family came here early in the 1900 they were by and large unskilled and like the unskilled today lived as families, 8-10 to a home....you bettered yourself , becoming upwardly mobile........education, learning a better trade etc..till you are in a position to buy your own home etc…and provide a living standard for themselves they only dreamed of in their former native lands….Hispanics despite the liberal teeth gnashing are by and large doing this....its cyclical and the nature of humans etc....you start here and try to get there....the more you give someone a hand up, the more it breeds indolence and sloth....

the libs want to destroy the fantastic work ethic Hispanics have, so they can put them on the gov. tit and ruffle their hair and tell then the gov. will take care of them ....and feel good about themselves, come what may..it didn’t work for another minority (who despite libs best efforts are slowly shaking that curse off), nor will it work here hopefully…..

[Qynvtlur]

Just one point. It should be sub-continental, not sub-Saharan. India is not anywhere near the Sahara.

humm.....I know its not near the sahara give me some credit. .. when I learned the term it applied to India as well…a larger geographical term I would guess...that probably was an off shoot of Portuguese exploration naming a broad swatch of that area as a lateral crescent - sub saharan...from west sub saharan Africa and the connections between east Africa and India…thx…a revisionist term …I assume.

[SasV7ReJ]

speak for yourself pal..while I don't pick my own lettuce, I don't use illgeals to do my bidding....I washed dishes, swabbed floors bussed tables etc.....and I'll bet MANY many have here too......americans that is..so that logic doesn't exactly hold water....and last I checked the jacksses in DC voted for a fence then didn't allocate any money..Bush be shamed....

what the issue is; large corp. have been allowed to leave wages stagnate at these range of jobs..everyone from McDonalds to 3 M etc. so they can take advantage of the cheap labor......IF we closed the border and started issuing visas ala as we do to Indians( sub saharan) and Asian immigrants, we might be able to correct some of this.....but in the end..I’ll say it again, these jobs are entry level jobs, and were never intended nor ever were a ‘living’ wage….if they were you be paying $8 for a Big mac…..not every job is worth $15 an hour etc…and it wasn’t when I was working them either….

when my family came here early in the 1900 they were by and large unskilled and like the unskilled today lived as families, 8-10 to a home....you bettered yourself , becoming upwardly mobile........education, learning a better trade etc..till you are in a position to buy your own home etc…and provide a living standard for themselves they only dreamed of in their former native lands….Hispanics despite the liberal teeth gnashing are by and large doing this....its cyclical and the nature of humans etc....you start here and try to get there....the more you give someone a hand up, the more it breeds indolence and sloth....

the libs want to destroy the fantastic work ethic Hispanics have, so they can put them on the gov. tit and ruffle their hair and tell then the gov. will take care of them ....and feel good about themselves, come what may..it didn’t work for another minority (who despite libs best efforts are slowly shaking that curse off), nor will it work here hopefully…..

Good post

[Heliosprime]

thanx....

[VioletttaJosetta]

They're good enough to do all the jobs we won't do, do it for less money than we'd ever allow ourselves to be paid to do that kind of work, but they're not good enough to be tax-paying American citizens? Interesting logic.

Who thinks they aren't good enought to be tax-paying citizens? Oh thats right, the immigrants themselves by choosing to come illegally.

If they disappeared tomorrow, SOMEONE would do their jobs and wages would rise accordingly.

last I checked the jacksses in DC voted for a fence then didn't allocate any money..Bush be shamed....

What good will a fence do? I've heard that only 20-30% of the illegals come across the border on foot. That means the rest come by car/plane/boat.

I’ll say it again, these jobs are entry level jobs, and were never intended nor ever were a ‘living’ wage….if they were you be paying $8 for a Big mac

If the CEO's weren't greedy bastards, the quite could be living wages.

[casinobonusa]

Sometimes I wonder if we got rid of all the illegals would it improve or hurt the economy? Any takers?

The problem with Capitalism is that businesses are allowed to choose their sources of business and the government can't do anything about it, really. It is FREE enterprise, so there is no one to stop businesses when they are taking general business from illegals. Talk about being your own worst enemy. What is the government supposed to do? I bet people on here would be in an uproar if businesses couldn't sell or buy to someone. Wouldn't that affect the economy? Sorry, folks, but because of Corporatism and Capitalism, you can't tell businesses what to do. It's our own damn fault. The only thing we can do is train HR personnel into make sure ID and documentation is not faulty when they apply for a job. But I suppose it isn't that high on the list, is it? Perhaps the government wants to control illegal aliens, however, maybe not strictly. I think they realize that illegals do contribute to the economy. It's more on the backburner than you would want to imagine.

[TOD4wDTQ]

Sometimes I wonder if we got rid of all the illegals would it improve or hurt the economy? Any takers?

The problem with Capitalism is that businesses are allowed to choose their sources of business and the government can't do anything about it, really. It is FREE enterprise, so there is no one to stop businesses when they are taking general business from illegals. Talk about being your own worst enemy. What is the government supposed to do? I bet people on here would be in an uproar if businesses couldn't sell or buy to someone. Wouldn't that affect the economy? Sorry, folks, but because of Corporatism and Capitalism, you can't tell businesses what to do. It's our own damn fault. The only thing we can do is train HR personnel into make sure ID and documentation is not faulty when they apply for a job. But I suppose it isn't that high on the list, is it? Perhaps the government wants to control illegal aliens, however, maybe not strictly. I think they realize that illegals do contribute to the economy. It's more on the backburner than you would want to imagine.

Yeah we know you hate personal freedom and responsibility. I have an idea why don't we have the govn tell us all who can sell what and to whom we can sell it to.

Varus

[casinobonusa]

Yeah we know you hate personal freedom and responsibility. I have an idea why don't we have the govn tell us all who can sell what and to whom we can sell it to.

Varus

You need to explain this further. I'm lost.