Minuteman Project brings problem to light
By PATRICE ST. GERMAIN
patrices@thespectrum.com
ST. GEORGE - Phyllis Sears said if nothing else, the Minuteman Project, the equivalent to a neighborhood watch program along the border, is bringing attention to a big problem.
Sears, the chairwoman for the local Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration, said the number of illegal immigrants in the country numbers about 20 million.
"For the businessman, this is cheap labor, but the middle class pays for them (illegal immigrants)," Sears said. "We are seeing this huge mass of people with an average sixth-grade education, and it takes three generations before they can pull their own weight.
Larry Meyers, an attorney who serves on the council, said he personally supports the Minuteman Project and local resident Randy Green's support of the effort. Green attended the launch of the project last weekend in Arizona.
"I applaud Randy for going down and participating. It's important for two reasons," Meyers said. "It's actually citizens doing something to try and assist law enforcement in a serious national problem, and it brings media and public attention on an issue we need more attention focused on."
Meyers said he had no concerns with the Minuteman volunteers causing problems. He said that those authorized to participate must be law-abiding and responsible.
Meyers was worried, however, about those involved in illegal activities along the border trying to harm the civilian patrol.
Sears said little groups like the Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration in Washington County are sprouting up in other places in the country. Sears said the groups could be the tipping point to bring attention to a major issue.
"Any national attention on this issue is good," she said.
By PATRICE ST. GERMAIN
patrices@thespectrum.com
ST. GEORGE - Phyllis Sears said if nothing else, the Minuteman Project, the equivalent to a neighborhood watch program along the border, is bringing attention to a big problem.
Sears, the chairwoman for the local Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration, said the number of illegal immigrants in the country numbers about 20 million.
"For the businessman, this is cheap labor, but the middle class pays for them (illegal immigrants)," Sears said. "We are seeing this huge mass of people with an average sixth-grade education, and it takes three generations before they can pull their own weight.
Larry Meyers, an attorney who serves on the council, said he personally supports the Minuteman Project and local resident Randy Green's support of the effort. Green attended the launch of the project last weekend in Arizona.
"I applaud Randy for going down and participating. It's important for two reasons," Meyers said. "It's actually citizens doing something to try and assist law enforcement in a serious national problem, and it brings media and public attention on an issue we need more attention focused on."
Meyers said he had no concerns with the Minuteman volunteers causing problems. He said that those authorized to participate must be law-abiding and responsible.
Meyers was worried, however, about those involved in illegal activities along the border trying to harm the civilian patrol.
Sears said little groups like the Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration in Washington County are sprouting up in other places in the country. Sears said the groups could be the tipping point to bring attention to a major issue.
"Any national attention on this issue is good," she said.