Minutemen want to patrol Canadian - New Hampshire border

05 April 2007

A group called the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps wants to patrol the border between Canada and the U.S. state of New Hampshire, in an effort to keep out illegal immigrants. The Minutemen are known for patrolling the U.S.-Mexican border and other parts of the immense Canadian border.

They want to start as soon as possible but need more members and contributions, according to organizers.

The Minutemen were originally formed as an allegedly grassroots movement to 'do something' about the large number of Mexican and Latin American illegal immigrants entering the U.S. In the view of the founders, the United States government has failed in its efforts to reduce the levels of illegal immigration. They feel they have a right as American citizens to patrol the borders as armed civilians.

Ron Oplinus, director of the New Hampshire state Minutemen chapter, said the U.S. is being "invaded by people from throughout the world."

"It's all ethnicities, it's all countries. The southern border has apprehended people from all countries. It's not just poor Mexicans coming in to do the work that we choose not to do ... it's not that at all," he said.

The chapter, established a year ago, currently has 36 members. If they see anything suspicious they are supposed to notify the Border Patrol. Some carry guns but they are supposed to keep them holstered.

While Oplinus stated that the Minutemen do not want vigilantes or racists among their ranks, human rights groups have criticized the Minutemen's activities.