Sign prompts anger in Esperanza Estates

A sign at the intersection of Continental Road and Camino del Portillo in Esperanza Estates warning illegal immigrants about the coming of the Minutemen has sparked a new controversy in this sleepy subdivision of 353 Santa Fe Style homes that borders a well-known route for aliens and drug smugglers alike.

The sign, lettered in black magic marker, was found last month by Esperanza Estates Homeowner Association President Tom Cooke. On one side it says, “Humanitarian Aid is Never A Crime,” the motto of the Samaritan group, which has a chapter about 100 strong in Green Valley, and No More Deaths, another humanitarian group.

On the other side in Spanish the sign says: “Attention! The Minutemen will be here tonight, Aug. 3 & 4.”

Cooke, a retired attorney, said the sign constitutes another chapter in an ongoing saga in the subdivision between those providing food and water to illegals and residents who are opposed to such actions, fearful about the consequences, and angry that illegals are an ongoing presence in their neighborhood, along with Border Patrol helicopters, buses, vans and agents.

“This is more than providing water and sandwiches. If this isn’t aiding and abetting illegal aliens, I don’t know how else you define it. Residents are upset and frightened and there’s a lot of anger. Some people see the Samaritans as promoting this problem by giving food and water to those in the desert,” Cooke said.

Not a solution

Cooke added that while he and others were angered by the sign, he doesn’t think the Minutemen constitute a solution to EE’s problem with illegals coming into their neighborhood, an ongoing problem for the last two to three years.

“The Minutemen have an image problem and are viewed as gun-slinging amateurs. They are not understood and don’t go over well in this community,” Cooke said.

While critical of the humanitarian efforts, Cooke acknowledged that a big part of the problem with illegals is based on geography.

Topographical maps show two large washes descending from the mine tailings and what is known locally as the “West Desert Preserve.”

Cooke said the washes near Esperanza Estates are an active corridor for illegals to walk from Esperanza Estates to Continental Road and Abrego Drive and make their way to Interstate 19, one of the busiest people and drug-smuggling corridors in Southern Arizona. Large groups sighted Cooke said there were two sightings of large groups of illegals this summer.

The first on June 14 involved 22 illegals sitting on the ground near the EE tennis courts. The second, on Aug. 9 was a group of 20 illegals in the same location. Both groups were picked up by the Border Patrol.

Cooke said one resident told him she had spoken to a Border Patrol agent loading up one of the groups onto a bus who said the agent told her there was a “safe house” in the subdivision, meaning a place where illegals are given safe haven until they can be transported elsewhere.

Sean King, Border Patrol spokesperson for the Tucson sector said running a safe house violates federal law. He said agents are aware of various safe houses, but none in Esperanza Estates that he has heard of. He said the Border Patrol is also aware of various pickup points or “drop spots” throughout Southern Arizona, where smugglers pick up groups of illegals to transport them elsewhere to find work. The EE resident Cooke referred to is Eleanor Schaefer. Contacted after the Green Valley News, talked to Cooke, she said the Border Patrol agent actually told her that Esperanza Estates was a “regular meeting point” or “pick-up point” for illegals, who wait for transportation there.

Three individuals in Esperanza Estates who are involved with the Samaritan movement said they removed the warning sign, along with others. The three are Ed Lord, an author, Kathy Babcock, a retired communications executive, and Shura Wallin, who ran a food program in Berkeley, Calif., before moving here. All three are members of the Samaritans, which started in Tucson in 2002 to provide food and water to save illegals from dying in the desert. Wallin is coordinator of the Green Valley Samaritan chapter, begun in 2005.

“We don’t see this as aiding and abetting,” said Lord. “We think the Minutemen are dangerous and what we’re doing is trying to prevent deaths.”

All three denied running a safe house or providing any aid for illegals other than food, water, and helping with first aid.

Lord said the “HOA has split this place in half and done a terrible disservice. Many are afraid at night and, frequently, the Border Patrol will take two hours or more to respond.”

Cooke said he was contemplating getting a representative of the Border Patrol to come to next HOA meeting to talk about the situation, let residents know what they should do, and clarify the legal issues.

In the meantime, he’s advising residents through the newsletter and his “Monday Morning Memo” to call the Border Patrol if they see illegals in the area.

kengle@gvnews.com| 547-9732

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