Roger Barnett starting turning illegal immigrants over to the Border Patrol in 1998 after a group of them killed his animals, destroyed his property, stole his vehicles, and broke into his house.
Barnett’s efforts evolved into a full-fledged war after the Border Patrol abandoned his area to concentrate on other border towns. The Cross Rail Ranch (Barnett’s property) has become “the avenue of choice” for illegals.
Catching illegals has become Barnett’s way of life. In the past 18 years, Barnett has caught an estimated 12,000 illegals as they try to cross through his backyard. He has invested $30,000 on motion sensors, which he has hidden along “established immigrant trails” on his ranch. The frustrated rancher spends his days patrolling the border, ready to catch and turn in any trespassers.
Barnett’s problems have only grown worse in recent years. He was forced to install a faucet on his 8,000-gallon water tank so immigrants would stop trying to break it open to get water.
Meanwhile, he continues to lose cattle as they die from ingesting plastic bottles and other items left behind by the immigrants. The trash is piled 10 inches high in some places, with aluminum foil and chewing gum wrappers showing evidence of drug trafficking.
Drug smugglers are typically armed, which places Barnett’s family in even more danger. Barnett carries a rifle in his truck “for protection” and a pistol while he searchers for illegals.
“This is my land. I’m the victim here,” says Barnett. “When someone’s home and loved ones are in jeopardy and the government seemingly can’t do anything about it, I feel justified in taking matters into my own hands. And I always watch my back.”
ICE should view this man as a hero – it seems his actions alone are far more effective than what the US Border Patrol is managing to do. Instead, Barnett and his family were sued by a group of 16 immigrants after Barnett held them at gunpoint.
The immigrants seek $32 million in damages for civil rights violations, the infliction of emotional distress, and other crimes – all because they were caught trespassing. The illegals, which should not have the right to sue in the first place, are being defended by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), which blames the local sheriff for allowing Barnett to threaten the immigrants.
The sheriff’s absence is notable, but not for that reason. The sheriff should be standing alongside Barnett in support of his right to defend against trespassing. And where is ICE? Why are these immigrants in the country so long that they have time to file a lawsuit?
Editor’s note: How does this happen? Why is our legal system so screwed up? You here about burglers suing the owner of the house they are robbing, this is very much the same thing. Stupid.