Editor,
It has been repeatedly stated that patrolling the border is the responsibility of federal agencies such as the border patrol and that well-meaning and untrained volunteers should not be trying to do it.
In response to this, I would like to say that no one could agree more with this than the New Mexico Border Watch and Minutemen organizations. The federal agencies should in fact be doing this; however, they are unable to do it properly and effectively because they are undermanned, underequipped and underfunded. The border is extremely fluid, and serious crimes committed by illegal-immigrant traffic is grossly underreported.
Second, the volunteers that make up these organizations are well trained to do what they are out there to do, which is to sit, watch and report illegal activity along the border. Though few are armed, virtually all of these individuals are former law enforcement and military veterans and are certifiable marksmen or sharpshooters. They are all in direct phone and radio contact with the border patrol and have been made quite aware of any potential dangers.
What this state needs is a law, such as the one that took effect in Arizona on Aug. 12 known as the Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, in order to protect our law-abiding citizens.
This whole issue is going to be very big during the next general election, and politicians will have to choose which side of the fence they represent and act now, not later.
Roy Moore
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