Is the Anti-Illegal Immigrant Movement Getting out of Hand? By: Patricio Chile

My interest was recently piqued by an article reporting a recent spike in organized resistance against illegal immigrants in Prince William County, Virginia.
The February 11th article on washingtonpost.com reported that Virginia’s Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and HelpSaveVirginia were starting another chapter in Manassas.
A possible reason is because the county is asking the federal government to reimburse an estimated $3 million in costs for providing services to illegal immigrants.
Some see signs of hate.
“…the fact and rhetoric of their actions are creating a hostile environment for people of all color and all languages in Virginia regardless of their citizenship,” Claire G. Gastanaga, a lobbyist for the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organization, said in the article.
The Anti-Defamation League said last year that spring 2006’s immigration debate increased activity from white supremacists.
They’ve engaged in various protests as well as documented violence says the ADL.
There is even an online game, “Border Patrol”, which asks players to shoot Mexicans crossing the border.
The Virginia groups claim no ties to these people.
If truly sincere, these groups should handle their work professionally, without attacking individuals or racial groups. Only then can they successfully deal with the illegal immigration issue without fanning the flames of hate.

The Washington Post article can be found here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/10/AR2007021001380.html

The press release from the Anti-Defamation League: http://www.adl.org/PresRele/Extremism_72/4822_72.htm

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