On the last day of their April campaign, the Minutemen were bolder than usual.
On the “Alpha Line” (Elkhorn Ranch Road), two Minuteman cars pulled a quarter mile off the main road into the desert. A group of nine migrants came up to them, lost but not entirely depleted. They asked for directions northward, not know that the Minuteman had already called Border Patrol to return them to their country of origin.
When legal observers informed the migrants of the situation, the group became very upset. One woman cried continuously. Another told us of the poor treatment she had received from the Border Patrol on a previous attempt. Two men look at us sullenly, not saying a word.
A mother carried her one-year-old on her back. The baby started crying, perhaps dehydrated, but certainly agitated in the company of legal observers, Minutemen, Border Patrol and one loud, angry helicopter. Repeatedly, One Minuteman directed us to "impress upon the mother" that, for the sake of the child, she should not cross the desert again. As if she didn't know already.
Why did you call the Border Patrol?, the group asked. We're just looking for work and something for our families.
The Minuteman said that he was concerned that a terrorist might cross the border. Ray asked if the baby looked like a terrorist to him.
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