February 1, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jeff Schwilk, Founder SDMM
760--525-1655

SAN DIEGO MINUTEMEN JOIN THE CALL FOR AN END TO MIGRANT DEATHS AT THE BORDER!

SAN DIEGO, CA – The San Diego Minutemen, the Truth Brigade, San Diego Citizens United, San Diego Citizens Brigade, and concerned citizens throughout the county join Enrique Morones, Border Angels, and Gente Unidas in calling for an end to the deaths at the border! Morones says that about 400 migrants die every year crossing the dangerous U.S.-Mexican border, mostly through deadly stretches of desert. "We believe a secure border fence would drastically reduce or eliminate these senseless migrant deaths, as well as the deaths of innocent Americans and U.S. law enforcement caught up in the border violence exacerbated by having an open border with Mexico", said Jeff Schwilk, founder of SDMM.

Millions of Mexican citizens are encouraged to cross dangerous parts of our treacherous southern border each year and are even given instructions on how to cross the isolated desert and evade Border Patrol and ICE agents. Not only do many migrants endure inhumane living conditions once they arrive in America, but they are forced to pay coyotes (human smugglers) hundreds or thousands of dollars more in fees or their families back home will be threatened or killed.

We call on the U.S. Government as well as the Mexican Government to take all necessary steps to stop illegal immigration and the many deaths that result from it at our dangerous border. We agree with Border Angels and other migrants rights groups that legal, humane, controlled immigration through our approved ports of entry is the only way to stop this genocide!