Fatal Crash Underscores Border Woes

A horrible tragedy took place in Temecula on June 3 when an irresponsible fool driving a stolen Suburban van attempted to evade arrest by federal law enforcement agents. Five innocent victims from this quiet little town lost their lives, as well as one believed to be from Mexico.

Outrage and indignation have erupted and traversed throughout the community into U.S. households and into Mexico. Sadness and grief are to be constant companions for all affected. U.S. Border Patrol agents and their families are among those who are grieving.

What occurred at that school intersection should never have happened, and if the real issues are not addressed, similar tragedies are almost certain to strike again sometime, somewhere.

Those of us who are all too familiar with the drug and human smuggling industry that has been allowed to persist along the U.S.-Mexico border have been asking how many lives are going to be harmed before something is done? Aren’t these six enough?

Smuggling immigrants is a very high-risk, callous business that is very lucrative. It attracts the lowest and vilest of characters with absolutely zero regard for human life. Injuries and deaths have been the price time and time again.

It is all too human for those who survive or who are most impacted by the tragedy to lash out at our law enforcement agencies when situations go sour and innocent lives are suddenly snatched away. Folks in towns such as Temecula are not prepared for such events, yet, in and around San Diego’s South Bay communities, more than 200 similar pursuits routinely occur on a monthly basis.

Accidents resulting in loss of life and property due to the careless, reckless driving of smugglers are legendary. “Hit-and-runs� are a common occurrence, and most are not the result of any high-speed chase. The “old pros� who smuggle often opt to use low-paid, inexperienced juveniles to run the gantlet because they themselves have criminal records, and U.S. courts tend to treat juveniles with “kid gloves.�

Every major poll conducted over the past five years, including the recent Roper poll, has concluded that more than 77% of all U.S. citizens favor an end to illegal immigration and 70% want legal immigration reduced. Why isn’t the will of the people being carried out by our elected officials?

BEN SEELEY, Southern California Program Director, Federation for American Immigration Reform, San Diego