Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Protesters of migrants bused to Murrieta claim victory, mayor says, 'Not so fast'

Video by JP Raineri

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHXQBKqDLx0[/youtube]

Heated protests caused buses carrying undocumented immigrants traveling to Murrieta to divert plans.

The scene at the Murrieta Border Patrol Station on Madison Ave. was described as intense with over a hundred people from around the Valley waving signs, shouting their stance and debating with those in opposition. When the three white buses with blacked out windows rolled in protestors stood in front of them waving signs and shouting their position. Some of the signs read, "Impeach Obama," "Obama is a socialist," and "Put veterans first."

Despite local law enforcement standing in between buses and protesters the buses stood idle for about a half hour before turning around.

Murrieta Mayor Alan Long said he hopes the community will keep things constructive.

“It is their constitutional right to protest and express their views,” said Long. “However, just because the undocumented immigrants were taken elsewhere today, doesn't mean we won. This is not over.”

A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Wednesday at Murrieta Mesa High School in Murrieta. The public can call (951) 837-4343 to get updated information about the transfer of the immigrants to Murrieta. The public can also send an email to [email protected] for more info.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Murrieta Mayor Alan Long stood in solidarity with other city and local officials at a press conference Monday addressing the arrival and their disapproval of undocumented immigrants beginning Tuesday.

Through the month of June the city and local Border Patrol were told the detainees from Texas would be heading in droves to the community but three times the plans were rescinded…until Friday, June 27.

Late last week officials from the Customs Border Patrol informed the San Diego and Murrieta stations detainees from Texas will arrive on Tuesday in San Diego.

Long said the Murrieta Border Patrol Station on Madison Ave. will receive 140 partially processed illegal immigrants every 72 hours for possibly weeks for further processing.

“This is the result of the failure of federal government enforcing the federal law at the federal level,” said Long. “We deport illegals we don’t disperse them across the country.”

At the beginning of June, the city was told they could receive 500 detainees at once resulting in local law enforcement stepping in and educating Customs Border Patrol Agents about the risk to public safety.

Long said at the press conference the city will be safe and they remain firmly against the processing of illegal detainees in their community. He referenced the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 212(a) (6) (A), which limits the ability of illegal entrants to be admitted to the country.

“We are tracking the expense this is having on our city and maybe we should send the bill to President Obama,” said Long in an interview after the press conference. President Barack Obama also gave a press conference on the illegal immigration situation Monday asking for more than two billion dollars in funding to fight what he calls a humanitarian crisis.

This current threat to our national borders and security is fueled by coyotes in Central America who advertise according to Long for up to $2,000 a head for a pathway to citizenship in America.

“How we are currently handling illegal immigration as a country is showing those in Central America the coyotes are telling the truth, their kids and family members are finding a way to stay,” said Long.

Long said he was told the detainees who are expected to arrive by 3 p.m. Tuesday will be families either a mother or father with children no criminals or unaccompanied children.

Supervisor Jeff Stone worked with the Country of Riverside’s Health Department to provide a health mobile so border agents can provide more health screenings if needed.

“The undocumented immigrants will not be released into our community, they will be transported across the country to awaiting family and friends,” said Long.

Community activist Diana Serafin spoke at the conference claiming she heard the detainees were already in Murrieta.

“I am not spewing lies but they are here right now,” said Serafin.

Long reported he investigated Serafin’s allegations and visited the Murrieta Border Patrol Station and found no one was being processed. Long encouraged the public to not spread rumors.

Watch Valley News and myvalleynews.com for updates.

Murrieta’s local government will be sending updates to local residents via the website (www.murrieta.org) and through social media. A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Wednesday at Murrieta Mesa High School in Murrieta. The public can call (951) 837-4343 to get updated information about the transfer of the immigrants to Murrieta. The public can also send an email to [email protected] for more info.

“We need to collaborate as a region and take our demand for change to Washington D.C. I cannot make a change as one single Mayor. We need to collaborate with a clear and concise message that we are not going to stand for our countries laws to be violated,” said Long.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

See Gallery (13)

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/25/2024 22:40