Immigrants are Frequently Mistreated by Authority

The U.S./Mexico border is an area where immigrants seek opportunity, but recently, Border Patrol and other local authorities have been abusing their power. The border enforcement policies that exist today need to be re-evaluated to better fit the needs of these immigrants. Fundamental human and civil rights have been frequently violated, and we need to drastically improve the border situation. Firstly, the local police should organize a task force dedicated to helping immigrants who are in need. For example, many innocent people become victims of heat exhaustion, and sometimes take their last breathe in the middle of the desert. This is unacceptable. We need to supply dehydrated people with water as quickly as possible. It does not matter where the people may reside, but it IS important to save life. Secondly, people need to become more aware of the cruelty and violence that takes place on the border. Essentially, we need to expose the mistreatment and educate our communities about human and civil rights. Many people have no idea that innocent people are being stripped of their human rights on a daily basis. This clearly needs to stop, and our communities can lead the way. In December of 2006, Border Action Network (http://www.borderaction.org/) released a preliminary report on the status of human rights and civil rights on the Arizona-Mexico border. In the report, they list possible types of abuses committed. Such as, psychological/verbal abuse, physical abuse, and deprivation of basic necessities. But, the type of abuse that puts the reality of the situation into perspective is torture. There have been approximately thirteen documented cases of torture that have occurred along the border, according to the preliminary report. Torture is something that cannot be tolerated, and is absolutely unethical. These people are trying to start a new life for themselves, and deserve proper treatment, from ALL authorities. It is our responsibility as members of the Tucson community to do our part in improving the conditions along the border.