minutemen

Are they enforcers of death that practice racist hatred? Or are they a vigilante group that is comprised of citizens concerned about homeland security? Since the recent hike in security along the Mexican-American border, there has been a polarization among U.S. citizens regarding the correct way to handle border issues. Those who are against the heightened security and enforcement groups such as the Minutemen contend that their tactics are “inhumane” and their efforts reflect actions of a “fascist nativist movement” (Zamora). However, those who agree with the heightened border security and have taken the initiative to join groups such as the Minutemen argue that they are patriots who seek “proactive enforcement of national security protections and the immigration legal code” (minutementproject.com). The Minutemen also contend that they welcome people of all ethnicity and take influence from iconic figures such as Ceaser Chavez.
Considering the strong presence of U.S. border patrol along the Mexican-American border, some people argue that the Minutemens’ efforts are unnecessary and may have even created unforeseen consequences along the border such as increased migrant deaths. Although there has been an increase in deaths along the border (4000 total since 1994), it is hard to pinpoint the direct cause (Zamora). Many people agree however, that it is a combination of the increased number of illegal immigrants and the presence of the border wall in remote parts of the desert that is the leading cause in the increased death count.
In my opinion, taking into consideration that the membership of the Minutemen group throughout the country is below 1000, their efforts are relatively insignificant compared to the dominating presence and militarization of the border patrol. Rather, the Minutemen act as a symbol of America’s First Amendment; that being that Americans can take the initiative, unite and take a stand for what they believe in.