Six illegal immigrants arrested at Qualcomm

San Diego:

Six undocumented Mexican immigrants were arrested today by U.S. Border Patrol agents at Qualcomm Stadium, after a report that they were stealing food and water meant for evacuees, according to spokesman Damon Foreman.

San Diego police responded to a call about alleged theft from the evacuation center and encountered six people in a van who didn't speak English and didn't have California driver's licenses, Foreman said. The police officers called the Border Patrol, who arrived at the stadium and made the arrests, he said. Foreman said the immigrants admitted they were Mexican citizens and that they were stealing.

Border Patrol agents are not looking for illegal immigrants at the center but will continue responding to police calls for assistance.

"We are not in any means at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity," he said. "We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

Foreman said the agents have been helping in the evacuation and rescue effort in addition to carrying out their main duties.

"We are dedicated to our primary mission to securing our borders," he said.

-- Anna Gorman

Comments

[Susan Ines`]

This is a shame. When all those supplies were and still are intended for our familes who were victims of the fire - some opportunistic individuals are just taking advantage of the situations. I was watching the news on Monday and there were reports that some families were just raking clothings and supplies and loading them into their vans and cars. Once done they came back for some more. The authorities and volunteers who had received the reports - being so busy taking care of everybody else just don't have the time to stop these people.

[Chris B]

This is disgusting - six people are arrested for "stealing" food meant for evacuees - like these people couldn't be evacuees who just lost their homes just because they speak Spanish. By all means if they are here illegally don't show them any compassion. This is a rerun of Katrina - you know, where the black man was "looting", but the white man was providing for his family - they were both taking much needed food and water from stores.

[Michael in AZ]

Not surprising. This is just a metaphor for what illegal invaders are perpetrating against a sick and dying nation.

[John]

Imagine that. People with no respect for the law breaking it again and stealing from people in great need.

What part of illegal is so hard to understand. The American people and law abiding LEGAL immigrants are sick and tired of these parasites.

[John Fishbeck]

They are lucky San Diego was not under marshall law, they could have been shot.

[Doug D.]

I heard that investigators were claiming that the cause of the fire was arson and that a $70,000 reward has been offered to anyone with information leading to the arrest of those responsible.Now one wouldn't have to take a leap of faith to believe that illegal alien camping and or living in those areas; like they did in McGonegle canyon could have started the fire.Why they probably were thinking they had a right to strike back at their Gringo oppressors for stealing Atzlan from them.Deport all illegal aliens!

[CA Mary]

I guess what they've already taken from US citizen taxpayers is not enough - just take and, oh, take a little more - take advantage, all in the name of being poor and marginalized. Instead of taking just what they themselves needed for the day from what was rightfully offered to everyone there, they felt they were entitled to whatever else they could get their hands on. In return for the non-enforcement of our immigration laws during a disaster and the extreme kindness of others, this is how they behave? I hope they're sent back to Mexico.

[Larry]

"We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

Why wouldn't we take advantage to round up illegals, after all, they are breaking the law too. I say grab them where they gather, send em back and make them come into this country the legal way and behave like the nice law abiding citizens that the rest of us are.

[Dianh]

Huhm. That's pretty low stealing from someone who's just as needy as you. No doubt after this the evacuees will also be in competition for these people for jobs to get back on their feet. Some people have no sense of honor whatsoever.

[Dave T.]

"Six undocumented Mexican immigrants were arrested today by U.S. Border Patrol..."

This should read "Six ILLEGAL Mexican immigrants were arrested today by U.S. Border Patrol..."

This PC garbage is really getting out of hand.

[Jake]

"We are not in any means at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity," he said. "We are not there to take advantage of a situation." For those of you in Rio Lindo, and the rest of the US: "We've no intention of doing our jobs anymore than from the president on down. We're just gonna take our pay and pretend that we're doing our jobs, LOL."

[Dante]

Right again liberals, the people coming across illegally are just hard-working people looking for a better life for their families. Unbelievable.

[Veritas]

I thought illegals contributed to our society?

[David Young]

As disturbing as this story is, I found one thing that was encouraging. That is, the headline actually included the term "illegal".

That's good news folks!

True, they then fell back into the same duplicitous descriptions, using terms like "undocumented" or simply, "Immigrants". But to see a main-stream media outlet like the L.A. Times deign to use the term "illegal", and in the HEADLINE, gives me some hope that some modicum of honesty on this subject might still be found there.

[Pep]

Illegal alien == undocumented criminal

[The Owl]

ATTENTION BORDER PATROL AGENCY: SECURING OUR BORDERS INVOLVES THE ARREST AND DEPORTATION OF ILLEGALS.

" we are not taking advantage of a situation" - I assume this means that they are not lying in wait for illeglas that may be displaced from the fires. The question every red-blooded Patriot born and raised in this country would like to know is - WHY NOT?

Why do we not pick them up where they wait for tax-free jobs? Why do we not pick them up on the corners? Why do we not pick them up in their homes(where 20 may live together in one house ! ) Why do we not use EVERY POSSIBLE SITUATION to secure our country from these invaders? Dingy Harry says they love this country as much as Americans........well, they love the money - that's for sure - and their families back home in Mexico love it too, when they send it home TAX FREE. They love the healthcare they get, they love the minority status they enjoy and they sure as hell love the DEMOCRATS for their undying attempts to make them all instantly legal citizens of the United States.

The time has come to speak the truth, and this is it: If you are a border patrol agent, police officer, government official - for that matter if you are an AMERICAN and you do not do everything within your power to stop illegals from living in this country, then you are a TRAITOR to your nation and your fellow Americans.

[Stevo]

Gee, who could have seen that coming?

[brian]

"We are not in any means at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity," he said. "We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

What an insane statement! Of course they should should take advantage of this situation to arrest illegals. If you get a chance to grab a group of criminals you do it! It is called doing your job!

[Sam Ferguson]

I'm certain that they were just taking food and water that regular Americans just would not consume.

[j house]

It is estimatd that 1 out of 10 'undocumented visitors' have outstanding felony warrants for their arrest.
2 out of 10 have a warrant for their arrest.
That puts it at around 2+ million people that are wanted for a minor or major criminal violation in this country, yet they walk around free to do as they choose, and no one is looking for them.
When is the law of our land going to be enforced?
Try crossing the border of any other country and see what happens.
You will be deported or worse, imprisoned.
All we are asking of our immigrants, wherever they come from, is that they follow our laws when they enter and stay in the country to make a living.
Instead, we are called racists, bigots and other names just because we want the laws to be obeyed.
What is happening to this country?

[james barnes]

Los Angeles should continue to caress and cater to these Undocumented immigrants so they a place to obtain food when they are hungry so they won't have to steal. These poor people just want the jobs Americans won't do!
There was no looting by American Citizens? Apparently not.

[Ron]

They weren't stealing. Just borrowing.

[Bob]

If there is a group of Federal workers who does less than the border patrol, I wish someone would enlighten me as to who they are.

In all likelihood, these thieves were taken a few miles away and released. The border patrol cannot be bothered with such trivial details. The law only applies to American citizens. Others are pretty much exempt.

[Matt]

Please stop using the term "undocumented immigrant." It's not as if their ID cards were lost in the mail. They have broken the law and violated our national sovereignty. They are here illegally. Any why isn't the border patrol using this situation to round up illegal immigrants who might show up at the evacuation center? Clearly they aren't doing enough to stop our borders from being overrun, and it seems logical that you would find a fair number of illegals at the evacuation shelter who have fled the fires, so here's the border patrol's chance to round up a lot of illegals with minimal work and manpower. Sure, liberals will continue their endless wailing and hand-wringing, but the majority of the tax-paying population supports this.

[AaronZ]

From the story:

Border Patrol agents are not looking for illegal immigrants at the center but will continue responding to police calls for assistance.

"We are not in any means at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity," he said. "We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

-------------------------------

And why not? Why do these officials go out of their way to comfort the public that they are not there to enforce immigration??

[mac]

Anna...thats ILLEGAL ALIEN, not undocumented immigrant. You can had thief to the title.

[dka]

I thought California loves the illegals? Can't get enough of them? I am sure a demonstration on behalf of these 'poor, starving' illegals is already in the making.

[Mike Deely]

Awesome! Until illegals can have a way to come into this country legally they should not be given the same rights as their countrymen who do it the right way. It is not fair and obeying the law should be rewarded, not punished.

[Dan]

"Six undocumented Mexican immigrants "

Why the PC? Call it what it is "Six Mexican CRIMINAL ALIENS"

[John]

Despicable! Deport them to Antartica!

[Bill]

Why does this not surprise me? The ICE agent said the "We are not in any means at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity," he said. "We are not there to take advantage of a situation." Well the ILLEGAL ALLIENS sure are taking advantage of the situation huh?

[Ursus_Rexx]

I have already sent this 'headline' & 'Url' to Eliot Spitzer, NY Govenor, (with his nutty licensing scheme!) and Lou Dobbs, ('loudobbs@cnn.com'), who says, (in a more polite form then I can currently manage!!), what the rest of America thinks, (except for George 'give me guest workers so I can finance my oil - profit wars & find americans stupid/desperate enough to join tha Army' Bush!), while he, (Bush) laughs all the way to the petro bank!

[Richard Allen]

I just find it very ODD, the the Gov, and officials are actually having pictures taken with black people. To show some actually live in san diego.

Plus it says a lot about how people react in an emergency. Katrina is was Anarchy, and this was co operation.

The morons didn't have to stuff toilets with rolls of toilet paper in the NO superdome. And make it miserable for everybody.

[yroc]

The Border Patrol "oh we are so sorry for arresting these people. don't call us racists. Please, we had no choice." Man this is becoming pathetic!

[Louise Moore]

One more reason to get reason to get rid of illigal immigrants. sad

[John Micklos]

wow. Am I surprised. Who would ever have thought that these good people wouuld do this?

[C.J.]

I certainly hope they were deported, the story dances around that.

[Bobc]

But, they are only doing the "job" US citizens won't do!

I hope ICE goes to the stadium and picks them all up!

[gabriel]

Other reports said that those arrested were trying to re-sell the stolen food/water to people outside.

[Raker]

How is it that these people can INVADE our country and have the intestinal fortitude to think that EVERYTHING IS THEIRS ???

[Keith Coogan]

Wow, how about the other 11,999,994 that are stealing our tax dollars?

[Bill from the East Coast]

First of all our thoughts and prayers are with the people of San Diego, it truly is a beautiful city.
Now can we dispense with the PC crap? an illegal alien is an illegal alien, stop the undocumented Mexican immigrant BS. It is against the law to be here illegally so say it! This country is being overrun and overburdened by these actions, and these people steal from an evac center? Goes to show the caliber of these ILLEGALS and we want to legitimize them. Please don't!!

[John Brown]

Why should this bother anyone. They are Illegal, we encourage them to stay.
We give them services that are meant for tax paying citizens, that is stealing.
Someone needs to learn that illegal means 'againt the law'.
Legal immigrations is a great thing, Illegal Immigration is 'illegal'.
Dont try to put a small band aid on a compound fracture, fix the problem.

[Mouse]

Nice... Reported lack of looting has been one of the remarkable stories of this fire, especially so since a lot of houses are higher end expensive properties and so likely have nice things in them to loot. The way in which this community pulled together during crisis is a credit to everyone involved.

This really shows the benefits of illegal immigration. After all, in this crisis, stealing things from people who lost everything they had turned out to be one of the "jobs that American just won't do".

[ben newton]

Why state you are not "taking advantage" of the situation? You are law enforcement agents are you not? Take advantage of it please!

The days of apologizing for enforcing the law of the land I would hope is over. Send the banditos back south of the border!

[Peter F.]

THIS IS GREAT STUFF!!

I KNEW there would be some scumbags trying to take advantage of the generosity shown by the people of San Diego. Folks, the city is NOT staffing Qualcomm stadium- it's being run by VOLUNTEERS, which explains why it's running so well.

Leave it to some illegal alien invaders to try to take advantage of the situation.....they were probably going to sell the stuff on the streets!

[Chris]

I thought the illegal aliens were only here to work??

[ThaMan]

Another example of these people trying to take advantage of American citizens. I'm sure they'll get deported and sneak right back in to commit more crimes.

[Alan]

Typical.

[Bigboy]

Now we have to APOLOGIZE for arresting thieves who are not citizens? It's the end of Reason.

[Craig]

"We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

TAKE ADVANTAGE.....TAKE ADVANTAGE.....this is the type of PC that is killing this country......and yes liberals.

ALL illegals go HOME NOW. All companies who hire be sent to jail.

I live in Calif. and we are slowly losing this state...just ask La Rasa.........

[Eric Magness]

The first step towards U.S. citizenship is stealing food and water from disaster victims. We need a rally.

[JB]

ZOMG LOL

[matt]

and this surprises anyone? they probably feel that they have just as much right to that stuff as anyone else! and anyone who feels otherwise is..racist.

[jim]

Law and order - what a concept

[davenp35]

When will we finally decide to stop these criminal aliens once and for all from taking advantage of our country in every way possible?!?

[Billy Garfield Woody II]

They are NOT UNDOCUMENTED, They are ILLEGAL ALIEANS!!!

And you guys at the LA Times wonder why your readership is through teh floor???

[Karen Ladik]

WHO CARES how you get them?

JUST GET THEM and DEPORT THEM!!

intiende?

[abc]

Well the broke the law to get in the country so is anyone suprised!

Dear Congress---Enforce our immigration laws and get these peopel out of our country
STOP THE INVASION

[1gooddog]

They can't be doing that....they are here to work.

[John]

The proper term is "illegal aliens". They are documented citizens of another country, who are in this country illegally.

While I sympathize with the thousands of hardworking illegal aliens who are simply looking for a better life, we need to crack down on the illegal alien scum who come here to rape and rob.

[Spanky T Smackme]

For Christs sake, these people were only trying to survive! The food and water they were stealing was FREE to the evacuees! What kind of backward screwed up values do we impose on people for stealing FREE food and water?

[The Outlander]

These persons are in the United States illegally. They are stealing. But The Los Angeles Times portrays them as victims. They are not victims. They are terrorists.

[surf66]

"We are not in any means at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity," he said. "We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

God forbid !

[Eric]

And the problem is what exactly? They were stealing, illeagal or not they should have been arrested. The fact that they are illegal only adds to the problem. ROund them up anyway you can!!!!

[Jenny Bea]

Surprising? Nope. But let's hurry and give them amnesty. Hear that Cali. Liberals? They're stealing from YOU too. Oh, but the children!!! I feel terrible that your homes are gone, but am laughing at the irony that you want to give amnesty to these people and they steal from you in your time of need.

[allyson]

these dirty creeps not only come here illlegally and get free hand outs from the government here, but now theyre stealing from us?! These people should be put in jail and forced to work on a chain gang to help clean up the mess left over from the fire, then they should be sent back to Mexico. These people are exactly the reason why we should close down both borders 100%. We dont need evil like this in our coutnry.

[Jesse]

"We are not in any means at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity," he said. "We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

How is enforcing federal and state laws at any venue taking advantage of a situation? Government officials need to stop apologizing for enforcing the laws that they write. A little more logic and a little less emotion please!!!

[Jerry Johnson]

The illegals probably didn’t think anyone would care about a little food and water. After all, we are giving them our entire country.

[anyone surprised?]

I'm not surprised... take advantage of "free" stuff, steal from taxpaying citizens, break the law and know they're going to get away with it. It's the new American way.

[Robert]

Just doing the jobs Americans won't do. Thanks Jorge Bush for trying to please Vincente Fox and leaving our borders wide open.

[Tom Philips]

It's a sad day when the Border Patrol has to apologize for doing its job!

[Chaka Zulu]

Yeah and they started the fires, too?

[OhG]

These are illegal workers here to do an honest day's job of stealing

[Fred]

All the money that has been spent on healthcare and ESOL teachers alone this year on illegal, I mean illegal immigrants not legal imiigrants, could have provided new homes for the people that have lost theirs in this sad, sad situation.

[Jeff Salzback]

Stealing from people who fled the fires. The lowest of the low. I want to see these people charged with every crime the prosecutor can muster. I want to see them serve every day of their sentences and then I want them deported. Anything else is a slap in the face of those of us who donated to the fire relief efforts.

[ldavis]

The border patrol has a real opportunity to arrest many illegals during this crisis. Why aren't they agressively doing so. Get our borders closed now.

[Al Mical]

I heard on the Chicago news that these people came back three times.

[John R]

Why would stealing bother these "Undocumented" immigrants? Breaking the law had never been a concern of theirs before!!!

[Robert]

Typical behavior from illegal immigrants. Taking what doesn't belong to them.

[Jed]

Just stealing from the Americans in trouble that Americans will not do

[Jaded]

"Six undocumented Mexican immigrants" WOW all of those big words when you really could have just said ILLEGAL's. It must be really painful for you to state the obvious. Just doing the looting American's won't do..

[jjv]

round 'em all up and ship 'em OUT!!

[marion carter]

When illegals operate in sanctuary cities where they are
generally not reported to ICE, this is what happens. These
illegals believe they are entitled to all benefits American
citizens are entitled to. I doubt these illegals will be prosecuted
as they would be in Maricopa County in AZ. We love Sheriff
Arpio in AZ.

[Stanley J. Walljasper]

Oh c'mon, they're only here to do the jobs that Americans just don't want to do.

Do you think we will actually prosecute these folks for the theft, let alone being in our country illegally? I seriously doubt it.

Besides, do we really need to add 6 more illegal aliens to the prisoner population in this country (it amounts to approx 30% of all imprisoned people in the US....uh, I mean, they are just hard-working people who want to do the jobs that nobody else in America wants to do....

That includes these thieves, uh, I mean "undocumented workers" and the other estimated 30+ million, uh...I mean 14 million illegal aliens, uh...I mean "would-be immigrants who love this country so much".

Speaking of thieves, what excatly should we call it when illegal aliens tap into our health, education and nanny state for benefits. And what do you call a congress and senate that ignores our wishes and gives away our taxes and infrastucture to buy votes or cheap labor, hmmmmm?

[Watts]

Does it surprise anyone that those who have proven that they'll break immigration law probably have little respect for other laws?

[M.B.]

The illegals are robbing our country in every way!

[tamdar]

"We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

Why not?

[Jenn]

Round 'em up and ship 'em all out. Why are they not at the Q in "that capacity"? That's their job.

[crimesweepers]

What's the problem? They are just drinking the water and eating the food that Americans won't !!!!!

[JWK]

Why should they be arrested? They evidently need the food or they would not be stealing it. And so what if they were driving without a license? They have a right to be here don't they?

California seems to want illegal immigrants as well as our political leadership and as long as there are sanctuary cities in California then we should not be keeping them from the American dream, even if it means they steal a little.

Of course, my comments here are dripping with sarcasm.

[Suzanne Lutz]

Hey EVERYONE -- They are ILLEGALS, ie CRIMINALS and should be treated as such. How about a mirror policy with Mexico reqarding illegals and legal immigrants.

Political corrrectness will destroy American without a fire being shot!

[Anthony]

I love it, "six undocumented Mexican immigrants." Jesus, instead of performing these friggin written gymnastics.... Why don't we call it as it is--- "Six Illegal Aliens" break the law AGAIN... First it's disregarding/disrespecting our soverignty and then it's pilfering needed supplies from legal/legitimate California residents.... This PC crap really is getting ridiculous....

[Paul]

Why aren't they there in enforcement capacity, its their job to enforce the laws on the book and round up illegal aliens. Its disgusting how these powerful lobby groups are able to stop our laws from being enforced.

[MM]

Welcome to your future, California. You're a U.S. state with little or no sovereignty that's filled with people, including American citizens, with more loyalty to "la raza" that to the country, and millions more on the way to suck down your social services like a black hole.

Must be wonderful.

[RL]

SURPRISE

[john]

This is the best oppertunity we will have to round them up and send them back where they belong.
If anyone is serious about cracking down in illegal aliens, this is the best time to prove it.

[Jim]

Definitely here doing jobs Americans won't do. :)

[Steve]

"We are not in any means at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity," he said. "We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

Why the hell not?

[Fred M.]

well of course you're not going to take advantage of the situation mister border guard sir. if you did, you'd be out of job too.

[DrDean]

Good arrest. Of course if they are deported they will be back in time to come back and steal some more but that is just how our system works - er, doesn't work.

Most illegals would not steal from an evacuation center as doing so is a clear indicator of having zero values or worth as humans. Most illegals are decent people other than having violated our sovereignity and continue to violate our laws every day that they remain here.

Illegal immigration is not about good or bad people - it is about the inalienable right of a nation of people to govern themselves as they see fit. The laws of our nation do not permit unbridled immigration for a plethora of good reasons and millions upon millions of people are violating those laws. It is time for such behavior to stop.

[Scott Nichol]

Only 6 illegals out of all the people there? I am sure there are more we need to roundup at sites like this. We need to make it easier for the Border Patrol by having people check as they come through the system.

[Steve G]

Once again proving there are jobs that our legal immigrants refuse to do.

[Nancy]

They should be there in full force and catch every illegal there is....

[Dave Young]

When will Americans realize that our society is doomed if we do not get control of our own culture. We must stop the flow of illegal aliens into our country. It seems that a large portion of illegals are on the wrong side of the law. I dont begrudge a person or family wanting to come to the greatest nation on earth but we need to find a way to fix the system so that they can do it legally. Everyone wants a instant fix to this problem but it will not happen overnight. I say that if you are illegal and you commit a crime you should be deported and told that if you are ever found in our county illegally again that you will never see the light of day again. In this case they are stealing from people that are being driven from their homes by a natural catastrophe. These are exactly the people we dont want in our country.

[Art House]

Just last night it appeared this entire tragic event had some hope of showing the decency in our countryman - Oh! Wait a minute here. The first report of theft from our citizens was not from Countrymen. What a shock!!! Well, let's keep up the good work and keep em' coming in unabated.

[Carey]

Don't be too hard on them - they are simply stealing stuff that legal residents won't steal... ;-)

[Tom]

The are not "UNDOCUMENTED MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS" they are ILLEGAL ALIENS !!!!

NO MORE PC BULL HOCKEY !!!!
A Spade is a Spade, its not a Fluffy Club, or an upside down heart with a stem!!!! Its a SPADE.

Throw them ILLEGALS out,,, after LONG Prison terms.

[Gene]

California, you wanted them, you got them. Now keep them there...

[Fred]

The Border Patrols' responsibilities do not stop at the border. Put the INSs' ICE teams there at the stadium and maybe we can get rid of a lot of these damned illegal aliens. NO MAS ILLEGALS!

[Greg]

Maybe one of our liberal congressmen or senators can see to it that these unfortunate six get drivers liscenses and that the arresting officers are sent to prison. Don't they know that Illegals have the same rights, if not more, than legal immigrants and citizens.

[Sandra Smith]

Will someone please remove illegal immigrants from the US. They bring crime, burden out tax and health systems, and now openly STEAL from folks who've lost everything?????????????/

[Robespierre Smith]

If the agents are dedicated to their primary mission of securing the borders, how did the illegals get in? Enforcing the law should be regardless of any passive sentiments of taking "advantage of a situation".

[Mickey Mouse]

Total BS. I don't know about today's arrest but the INS is trying to meet their quotas by hanging out (helping out) at Qualcomm and telling everyone to let them know if they see any "suspicious persons."

Additional people were also arrested yesterday who were not stealing, albeit some where illegal. They took a family with kids (who were citizens) that had been evacuated from their home.

God Bless America.

[chad sampson]

When did we stop using the words "illegal aliens" in reference to "undocumented workers". This is an excellent example of how a demographic shift affects the very language we use. How long until we read the story .Three "near citizens" involved in liberation efforts!. Also note how the border patrol almost apologetically states that they "are not enforcing ", In reality 'aren't the people who take resources by sneaking in also in essence stealing?

[Brock Reiser]

This is terrible. More reasons we need to enforce our borders. Not only do they steal from our taxes and medical community they steal from fire victims who have lost everything! They have no shame who they steal from.

[Victoria]

Border patrol isnt there to "take advantage"...PLEASE. How about deporting the illegals who are here before they start grabbing FEMA funds for the stuff they had here ? That money should be going to people who are paying into the system, not draining it.

[cowboyup6]

With the California penal system rapidly being over-populated by illegals, there should be no surprise in this story. The only surprise is that the open-borders crowd, or the amnesty supporters, i.e., Demoncrats, did not protest their arrest and especially them being turned over to the INS.

[Matthew Smith]

Arrested for "stealing water" during a fire?! This is so creepy, it reminds me of the "looters" in New Orleans (ie, poor black people) who were arrested and even shot at for trying to survive the Katrina floods while FEMA was MIA. Want to deal with immigration? Dismantle NAFTA for one, which increased poverty in Mexico forcing thousands to risk making a living in th US. Amazingly, by the way, it was passed by Bill Clinton after he stole the playbook from the right-wing. So, get ready for round 2--Hillary the "neocon" is coming--more imperialist adventures, more war, more BS. Only, we won't have to see Bush's fugly mug--some consultation--while Rome burns. The game is on--dismantle the state....privatize everything...tazer dissenters, Bro!...and arrest the poor immigrants for stealing WATER! Well done.

[CommyLib]

I thought all illegal aliens were hard workers and only here to do jobs that Americans won't do. Were they doing work that other American thieves weren't willing to do?

[proudamerican]

But, I thought "Illegal" immigrants were honest good people here to work hard for things?

Was I wrong?

Im confused!

[A Rosario]

Lock them up then deport the scum they are no different from looters.

[David]

Seems to me the Imagration service should be onsite to keep the freeloader illegal immigrants out. (doesnt matter where the illegals came from )

[Bob Edwards]

They are not "undocumented Mexican immigrants", they are illegal aliens! If I broke into Microsoft to demand a job, I'm not an undocumented employee, I'm a lawbreaker! This is exactly why we need to clamp down on the border. Anyone who would steal relief supplies is lower than low.

[Tootsie's Mom]

OK, Dick Durbin etal....you want amnesty for THESE CRIMINALS!

I'm an Illinois voter, and Mister, I'LL VOTE YOU OUT IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!

[Richard Carrasco]

The border patrol man said, "We are not there to take advantage of a situation." Why the heck not? Those illegal aliens were going to take plenty of advantage. We need to secure our borders NOW and stop providing all of these law breakers free medical care, free schooling, free food, free housing. If we do this, there will be no need to round them all up. They will go back on their own. Let's take back our country and make it the great nation it used to be.

God Bless America,
Rick

[Ross Pursifull]

How can this be ,,,,they All came here to be hard workers?
They will be back in a few days with ACLU to sue,and WIN.

[Neil]

How can the Border Patrol be "dedicated to our primary mission to securing our borders" if they aren't taking advantage of the situation and getting rid of the illegal aliens? Its kind of nice how the Times have used the word undocumented in the story instead of what they really are, illegal.

[pjd]

Other news release from Sign-On San Diego, "A woman told San Diego police officers she saw the group load up two pickup trucks and a car with cots and other supplies, leave and then return, said police Sgt. Jesse Cesena."

[Bill]

Is anyone really surprised by this? Yet another reason to secure the borders!

[James Dankel]

Why do we have to constantly put up with these peaple. Send them back no questions asked.

JAD

[englishonly]

This is a perfect example of why we need to close the border and send all illegals home.

[chris blake]

I believe it is wrong to sat that the border patrol agents comments that they are not there to arrest illegals that is wrong. They should be ready to arrest and deport illegals no matter the situation or circumstances. We are facing a extreme problem with illegal aliens and it is time that law enforcement start doing the right thing and enforce our laws. If I get pulled over by a Colorado state trooper you can bet he will give me ticket for speeding and I am a legal citizen and a tax payer of 56 years of age. I will and do obey the laws and Constitution of the USA the greatest nation God has given to mankind. I do not blame people for wanting to live the American dream but we do need to do it the right way LEGALLY

[phil kaplan]

But they're only here to work! They just want to make a better life for thier families!

[mikey]

thats bs they should id every single person there to see if theyre legal. easy hunting i say.

[Earl]

Wait a minute !!!! I thought the illegals would only do jobs American's would not do. There are plenty of lowlife American's who would do that job, just look at New Orleans.

[Rhoda B.`]

Heaven forbid that the border patrol be at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity. Can you imagine that, they actually peform the jobs they were hired to do?

[Joe Clark]

The comments by the border "protectors" was very touching, so fair, so PC. The US can be very proud as it gets buried in the dust bin of history.

[Rengets]

I think they SOULD take advantage of the situation. Go in there and clean house of any illegals. And don't just arrest them, pick them in a tractor trailor and haul them back to Mexico.

[Jerry]

"We are not in any means at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity," he said. "We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

Why aren't they there to take advantage of the situation? I never heard of such nonsense. Is it any wonder illegals just keep on coming? We just make it so easy for them.

[Becky]

They're dedicated to their primary mission? Isn't that mission to deport illegal aliens? If they were really dedicated they'd be at Quallcom taking advantage of the situation.

[James B]

They weren't stealing! It's called the Democratic way of life. Get used to it.

They still get to vote, right?

[MDS]

That's about right. Nice PR for the amnesty lobby.

[Bob Claytor]

How far down have we gone when we have to apologize for arresting 6 criminals!!

[Caron Mc Carthy]

Do Californians Need Dictionaries? Undocumented Aliens are ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DO NOT PAY TAXES...THEY BREAK THE LAW WHEN THEY EITHER USE OUR LEGAL SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND CAUSE HAVOC IN OUR LIVES!

ILLEGAL IS THE CORRECT WORD...UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS ARE ILLEGAL ALIENS...YOU ARE WASTING PAPER, SPACE AND INK...

IF YOU LIBRARY HAS BURNT AND YOU NEED A DICTIONARY...LET US KNOW!

[Rob]

When in Gods name are the democrats going to stop pandering to the criminal imigrants in hopes of giving them amnesty so they will vote democratic and re-elect them? This is absolutely why there must be no amnesty. If criminals enter the country as criminals, they are not going to be rehabilitated by being given citizenship.

[Kevin P]

Hey Chris,

READ the story not the headline. It says they admitted to being illegal and stealing the food.

Not sure how there houses were burned, I didn't think the fires went that far south.

As far as 'looting" vs 'providing', providing is getting food and water, looting is getting beer, blunts and TV's.

[Abe]

This is just a circumscribed story of what happens every day. Can't get into an ER? Well, this is why. Our resouces....whether it's food, water, land, safety, education, etc.are being taken up by illegal aliens. Unless and until the borders are controlled, this type of thing is endless.

Just seems worse to be stealing from the people who, for right now, need the supplies the most. Nothing new though. Used to be the USA had some flexibility...well, can't do it anymore. Wake up people.

[Alex]

Jeez...what hatred. I suppose you want the Mexican firefighters that were helping out with this wildfire to get the heck out too? Oh no, because that is in the best interest of all you dumb, probably unemployed losers posting such hateful rants.

[Al B]

What part do you not understand about stealing Chris B. If anyone drives up in a vehicle and starts loading cases of water and food that would be stealing and they should be arrested. If they were evacuees and lost their home It's not up to them to determine how much supplies they should load up into their van, it's how much can be allocated to them. It gets really old when people always play the race card.

[foutsc]

...doing the crimes that Americans just won't do...

[Kris]

Next time I'm hungry, I'm going to take a trip to Africa and steal some relief aid food. YUMMY!

[Maryanne M.]

Hello, read between the lines. Can't you people think critically? I'm with you, Chris B. What does it mean to "steal" free aid, when everyone (literally everyone) in San Diego is affected by these fires? My own siblings and parents are not even in evacuated areas, but they were unable to stock up on water at their local grocery stores because it was sold out. Your minds automatically suspect that these "illegals" came to fire-affected areas to take advantage of a bad situation and steal food? Not that, maybe, they were displaced / thirsty / hungry / in need of aid? Maybe trying to give water to their children? Maybe they had to furtively take aid thorugh a back door for fear of being shot by "alien" hunters like yourselves? The truth is, there aren't enough facts in this article, and I don't feign to know what hactually happened, but to say they should be shot based on what you read here . . . It's laughably ignorant. Have a little respect for human life, bro.

[Mr. Kelly]

Well someone has to do the jobs American's won't do... (Sarcasm)

[Jon]

>> This is disgusting - six people are arrested for "stealing" food meant for evacuees - like these people couldn't be evacuees who just lost their homes just because they speak Spanish.

Its NOT that they couldn't be evacuees (someone who lost their homes to the CALIFORNIA fires) because they only speak Spanish. They couldn't be eveacuees because their homes are in NOT IN CALIFORNIA.

[James Chrisst]

Attention left-wingers: STEALING IS STEALING. We are a nation of laws, whereby everyone has to abide by the same set of rules. Why is it that you guys always paint the illegal immigrants as the "victims" in every situation? There are good and bad people all over the world. Just because they are illegals and happen to speak spanish, doesn't make the saints. But oh, you don't believe in god, so I guess "saints" is the wrong word.

[Tupac Goldstein]

Illegals just stealing supplies Americans don't want to steal.

[Jessica]

I hate illegals and think they should all be shipped back. HOWEVER, they are still human beings. Why are we saying this food and water is for evacuees only? What makes them so special? Shouldn't it be for anyone that needs it? If someone came crawling out of the desert and "stole" this water, would we arrest him becuase the water is for "evacuees only"?

[Jose]

Can't we just built a fense to keep these people out? They steal jobs, they steal water and food and air and space. If we could have gotton the dream act passed they could be citizens. Thank goodness the crazy left that runs the Dems blew it

[Jon]

>> There was no looting by American Citizens? Apparently not.

Looting should NOT be committed by illegals OR American citizens. Since every reasonable effort should be taken to stop either, in the case of illegas, they should be deported. In the case of American citizens, they should be prosecuted.

The suggestion that someone is implying that American citizens should be allowed to loot is rediculous. And the implication that someone IS implying that American citizens should be allowed to loot is really just an attempt to divert the conversation.

[Amy]

"We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

Why not take advantage? The ILLEGALS certainly are!!! And Keith, you are absolutely right. I am tired of my tax dollars being stolen and shipped back to their country(ies) of origin.

[Bill Hansworth]

Long Live JACK MURPHY!!

[C L]

These people had gone to the shelter to get a few can foods and water, but apparently, one white woman found it necessary to call the police because they didn't speak English. This woman is the one who should be deported, to Iran or Cuba.

[Eddie]

They were just doing the job Americans won't do: stealing from refugees.

[carlacalifornia]

"We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

why not? the illegals were taking advantage of the situation.

[Robert]

"..not to take advantage of the situation". Really? Kinda funny. I've watched COPS where they would throw some sort of party or other function and mail invitations to various criminals to attend. Once the criminals would show up they were arrested. So what's wrong with taking advantage of this situation to catch criminals? And yes, illegals are criminals.
Read an article the other in which law enforcement was making stops for one reason or another. They caught a pretty good amount of illegals and the article said basically 17% of the illegals had criminal records. I did the math. If there is 20 million (as some say) illegals in this country multiplied by 17% equals 340,000 criminals walking our streets. Wann protect our borders now?

[MB]

It's time for a revolution! Invoke your second amendment right, if the US Gov. has become so corrupt that it won't support it's Citizens and stop catering to Mexico and all Illegals no matter which country they come from, then they are their bed fellows and need to be removed. By force if necessary.

[AnnC]

Spanky....I really hope you are joking. Exactly who do you think pays for that food and water? Not the Government. The taxpayers do. So they are stealing from you and me, get it? Contrary to what the Government tells you, NOTHING in this country is free.

[stop crying]

It's funny to see all of you crying over immigrants on every issue. We are here to stay, get used to it! If you don't like it and want to be around other white folks...move to Europe where you belong. Just like you say "send blacks to Africa and Mexican's to Mexico". I say send whites back to Europe.

BTW - This racist crap is getting old and no one cares. Most of you are internet racists anyways...I am a US citizen with Mexican roots and never has anyone said anything racist to me or my family. Funny there are tons of racist comments on line but never heard one to my face. PUNKS!

[dev rios]

horrifying...a man who's job it is to protect the citizens of this nation referring to his own responsibility as "taking advantage of a situation" I guess we need blackwater in there to protect our citizens.

[EricBrodin]

Does anyone remember when teenagers did the jobs illegals do now?

[Peter]

I wonder if LULAC will hold a rally to support the "Qualcomm 6". I hope that won't be outplayed by Al and Jesse and the "Jena 6".

[NeedyAmericans]

There will always be exceptions to all rules. If these "illegal aliens" were stealing, fine, arrests them. As far as turning this issue into a debate on immigration, Americans have already lost. This nation would not be what it is without the "illegal aliens" from Mexico. We are so dependent on them it would not be possible to live our nice live without out them. Lets Face it. Illegal immigrants are not going anywhere. They are here to stay and will not be able to be sent back. Maybe a few hundered thousand but thats it. FACE IT AMERICANS. YOU NEED THE MEXICANS!!! SO STOP CRYING ABOUT A DEAD CAUSE!!!!!

[carlacalifornia]

"Thanks Jorge Bush for trying to please Vincente Fox and leaving our borders wide open".

Did Clinton close the borders and Bush re-opened them?

[Arcy]

I can't wait to WATCH LOU DOBB'S tonight. It's going to be a GOOD ONE!

[joe from ny]

There's very little attention being given to this story. I learned about it via the Drudge Report. Apparently it's just not politically correct for the national media to report illegal behavior on the part of illegal aliens. I applaud the LA Times for their story and am grateful for the commonsense comments posted here.

[kipling9]

"We are not in any means at Qualcomm for enforcement capacity," he said. "We are not there to take advantage of a situation."

WTF Are you kidding me??!!

They SHOULD be there and anywhere the wind takes them in an enforcement capacity, that is their job, ENFORCE THE LAW!

They certainly SHOULD take advantage of every opportunity to ENFORCE THE LAW!

ENFORCE THE LAWS ON THE BOOKS, DO IT EVENLY AND EQUALLY TO ALL, WE ALL LIVE UNDER THE SAME SET OF RULES, THAT IS IN NO WAY RACIST OR BIGOTED, ITS COMMON SENSE AND COULDNT BE ANY MORE FAIR.

[Charles]

As an American citizen of Mexican decent, I find this to be really sad. If I had to estimate what percentage of these illegal immigrants really came here for working purposes I would place at less than 5%. My mother once told me that an illegal immigrant once struck up a conversation with her in a grocery store. While speaking to my mother in Spanish she explained how the stupid Americans had the nerve to call “them” stupid. As she explained, they (illegal immigrants) come here and received everything for free while the Americans work all their lives and for what??? When my mother expressed her outrage and informed her that she was born and raised in this country the conversation abruptly ended. BTW, this illegal immigrant was purchasing a one grocery cart full of beef with food stamps to carry out to her catering truck……

[Luis]

There are some ignorant people posting their comments.

[Rebecca]

Wow, law-breakers breaking the law? Whodathunkit?

"I'm certain that they were just taking food and water that regular Americans just would not consume."

Best sentence in the comment section, Sam. ;)

[Bob]

Here's an eyewitness account that the LA Times "Just happened" to leave out, only food and water? I don't think so

A woman who had been evacuated to the stadium told officers she saw the group load up two pickup trucks and a car with cots and other supplies, leave and then return, said police Sgt. Jesse Cesena.
When officers stopped them, a member of the group said they were being paid to take things of value from the stadium.
“They were stealing a lot of stuff,” Cesena said. “We took the stuff back and we escorted them out. They were stealing from the people in need.”

[rdper]

A result of CULTURAL DIVERSITY!!!!!!!
There is no more AMERICAN Cullture. We are required to adhere to any other Alien culture and ignore OURS.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rash Manly]

Illegle aliens, I mean undoctumented workers
stealing from the U.S.A., I'm shocked, SHOCKED!

[Robert]

This is a wakeup call to ALL POLTIICIANS, the American citizens are getting madder and madder each day. The more they side step discussing illegal immigration and not demanding that existing laws be enforced, the more they can be assured they will not get the votes. If they are so afraid to demand enforcment of our laws, then what are they going to do if we are attacked, wave the white flag of suurrender?

[Rash Manly]

It appears some of the jobs
Americans don't want to do
are heist jobs,

[Bob]

The problem is not that they are here “illegally”, who really cares about documents. The problem is that they have developed a mindset where they are willing to do ANYTHING they can to survive. Most of us would do the same. Unfortunately, this has lead many of them to believe that their needs are paramount over anyone else's. The border crossing situation is creating a subclass of people who already consider themselves outside of our civil society. Any pressure from an external force will bring out the worst as well as the best. Once you tell yourself that it is OK to break a law you don't believe should apply to you, it is just another a few more steps to believe that ANY law does not apply to you if it interferes with what you want. One of the earlier comments noted a similar situation after Katrina. However, it was not a matter of black vs. white, it was a matter of personal survival. Once you believe you are allowed to steal things you need to survive it's easy enough to believe you can steal things just because you want it. Do not be surprised if a group of people, who are forced to exist outside of a civil society, behave contrary to what is expected in a civilized society. Poverty and lack of hope created the situation in New Orleans, poverty and lack of hope is creating the situation in this case, poverty and lack of hope will create the same situation ANYTIME a person is forced to believe they can do anything they want because they are not part of “us”. The only way to make them behave in a civilized manner is to make them live in a civilized society. One of the ways of doing that is to make them go through the ordeal of JOINING our society in the legal, formalized, way millions of other immigrants have done. Defending the "illegal's" right to be here is easy when you need an indentured servant class and resources are available to support them. It's not so easy when a disaster happens and the resources are harder to find.

[DawnC]

Oh! What a Wonderful Country this will be when the entire country is just like any another third world country like Miami.

[joe from ny]

This preceding comment speaks volumes about the public education system's apparent inability to teach simple logic and the decline in societal norms:

"For Christs sake, these people were only trying to survive! The food and water they were stealing was FREE to the evacuees! What kind of backward screwed up values do we impose on people for stealing FREE food and water?" -- Spanky T Smackme

Where does one begin attempting to reason with individuals such as these? It's a shame we can't deport this "enabler" along with the theives in the van.

[Dan]

It's about time Americans stopped worrying about being "politically correct" and start demanding these traitors in Congress put an end to illegal immigration by bringing the troops home from that useless war in Iraq and start safeguarding our boders. I'm tired of all this talk from backstabbing politicians about "securing the borders" and then doing absolutely nothing about it.

[maria Zavala]

This is enough to turn your stomach! I am sick over this.

[Guillermo (Bill)]

Let's blame the illegals on global warming!!!!

[Rich, Phx]

I thought they were just here to work.

[Barbara Barthes]

In reference to the illegal aliens stealing from the shelter in San Diego, it is comforting to know that 100% of the respondents were wiped out by ICE's comments about the arrest of those illegal aliens. Thanks to all of you out there that think as I do that our government is subverting our sovereignty by going against the will of the people in respect to our borders. I sometimes think I'm alone, but thank goodness for Lou Dobbs, and the rest of you.

Barbara B.

[Mister Sister]

As illegals hurting America and Americans in a novel and effective way, these people will probably be awarded the keys to the City of Berkeley California for their actions. The only thing they failed to do to gain TOTAL admiration of the Berkeley types is to condemn Christians or create sick anti-Christian art, or dress up in drag while they committed their crimes.

[MDWhite]

It's quite amazing that all those who wale and moan about the plight of the down-trodden and oppressed aren't anywhere to be found when the heavy lifting needs to be done. I see FEMA and Presdident Bush and Gov. Schwarzenegger and World Vision and the Red Cross and the Salvation Army and so many who can ill afford to on site helping or offering help to those affected by these fires. But I have to ask where are Barbra Streisand and Ted Kennedy and George Soros and Tim Robbins and Brian de Palma and Sean Penn and all the other multi-millionaire Dem Libs who could donate millions to helping those people and never feel it. They're the same place they were when Katrina hit...looking for a political card to play while continuing to reap millions for doing, essentially, nothing to help real people in real need. When the they and the ACLU and MoveOn.org genuinely help people in need and put their money where their blow-holes are, I'll spare a minute to listen to their boring, tedious hysteria.

[Matt]

So sad... this country is taking a dive.

The funny thing is that the vast majority of Americans have good common sense... they're just too lazy to do anything about it. I'm not sure what it's going to take.

Maybe a mass revolt? Our government is terrible. Where's the reset button?

[Chris]

I know where the vast majority of Americans stand on the issue of illegal immigration. Don't just complain about it. This is American, we can do something about it.

You can call, write and even visit you government representatives in Washington D.C. or your state capitol. Let them know what you think... they need your vote.

[Mark]

And this is surprising how?

[Chuck]

6 Illegal Aliens! Time to send them back where they belong, along with all the others. We call them Illegal Aliens for a reason, they have committed an illegal act, broken our laws, by coming into this country illegally. It is time to enforce our immigration laws. We truly need to take a tough stand on this immigration issue, throw them out along with all other illegals regardless of what country they came from. If they can't respect our laws they don't belong here!

There was allegedly a theft in process. Why weren't the perpetraters arrested as any other criminals would have been, and their vehicle confiscated. Then they should have been tried, and if convicted, sentenced to a jail term.

Does being an illegal alien who commits a crime entitle you to an exemption from punishment,