(My note: I dont think any attempt should be made to rescue illegals period. If they die in the desert it is their fault.)
Interesting that this article just came out, as I had just asked the question a couple days ago if anyone knows the costs per rescue. Seems to me that is one more good fact to use in arguing for border control...Ferg Should illegal immigrants be made to pay for their own rescue costs? July 20, 9:34 AM · Christina Wijfjes-Smit - Mesa Independent Examiner * http://www.examiner.com/x-9384-Mesa-Independent-Examiner~y2009m7d20-Should-illegal-immigrants-be-made-to-pay-for-their-own-rescue-costs * [image: BK helicopter operated by Hermann Memorial Life Flight]On Thursday, in answer to a 911 call, border patrol agents found two men dead. The East Valley Tribune <http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/141881>reported on Saturday, “The events that led to the discovery of the two men from Mexico began on Wednesday when a man called 911 in Phoenix to report that two of his family members had called from their cell phone reporting they were lost and in need of help in the desert near Ajo, said Mike Scioli, Border Patrol Tucson Sector spokesman.” The Tribune further reported, “With the help of a National Guard helicopter, agents searched through the night. They found the group on Thursday southwest of Gila Bend, about 10 miles west of State Route 85, Scioli said. Two of the six people had already died. Borstar agents gave the four survivors first aid and called for life flight helicopters to take them to a hospital. The father and son who called their family member in Phoenix were among the survivors. After receiving treatment, they were set up for return to Mexico.” I do not know the dollar amount of this rescue, but I’m willing to bet it was not cheap and it is the taxpayer who must foot the bill. In Arizona we have a law that passed back in 1995; it is the Stupid Motorist Law. This statute states that any motorist who becomes stranded, after ignoring and driving around barricades to enter a flooded stretch of roadway, may be charged for the cost of his/her rescue and face a fine of up to $2,000. Could not similar legislation be enacted when dealing with those who enter Arizona illegally and get lost or become ill in the desert? Those requiring rescue, medical attention, life flight helicopters and possible hospitalization, not to mention transportation back to their home country? According to the Tribune article, “Borstar agents have been sent out 270 times between Oct. 1 and July 13 and nearly 45 percent of the calls came through 911, Agundez said. That percentage has been increasing for several years as more illegal border crossers carry cell phones.” When anyone, regardless of who they are or their circumstances is lost, ill or injured in the desert, their rescue should be handled as an urgent priority. No one wants to see avoidable and unnecessary deaths. But like The Arizonan, who chose to ignore warnings about dangerous road conditions, must pay, should not the same be expected for those who knowingly take great risk to enter Arizona illegally and wind up needing costly state services? *More on illegal immigration:** *DHS set to place new restrictions on immigration law enforcement<http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-9384-Mesa-Independent-Examiner~y2009m7d13-DHS-set-to-place-new-restrictions-on-immigration-law-enforcement> Phoenix police inconsistent in checking illegal immigrant status<http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-9384-Mesa-Independent-Examiner~y2009m6d5-Phoenix-police-inconsistent-in-checking-illegal-immigrant-status> Bill would allow Arizona schools to ask about immigration status<http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-9384-Mesa-Independent-Examiner~y2009m6d26-Bill-would-allow-Arizona-schools-to-ask-about-immigration-status> Illegal immigrant bill HB2280, how did your representative vote?<http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-9384-Mesa-Independent-Examiner~y2009m7d3-Illegal-immigrant-bill-SB2280-how-did-your-representative-vote> *Copyright 2009 Examiner.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.* *Author* Christina Wijfjes-Smit is an Examiner from Phoenix. You can see Christina's articles at: "http://www.Examiner.com/x-9384-Mesa-Independent-Examiner";<http://www.examiner.com/x-9384-Mesa-Independent-Examiner> Print [image: Quantcast] §≡≈≡≈§§§≡≈≡≈§ Non Sibi, Sed Patriae __._,_.__ __,_._,___ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
