United States: anti-migrant militia makes law on Mexican border

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New Mexico: UCP militiaman, United Constitutional Patriots, patrolling the Mexican border (screenshot of USA Today video: report by Mark R Lambie, El Paso Times) © USA Today

In the United States, the security of the southern border is an obsession of Donald Trump, who would absolutely build a wall and has no harsh words against the Central American illegal immigrants seeking asylum in his country.
The American president is struggling to validate and finance his political measures, but he can count on the support of a part of the population.
Support that can take on surprising proportions, contrary to the law, and even extremely disturbing in terms of human rights: this week, we learned that in New Mexico, a militia had literally arrested and detained hundreds of illegal migrants .

with our correspondent in New York, Grégoire Pourtier

Militia guard the US border with Mexico. They are often veterans of the army, in camouflage and pistol belt. They track down the stowaways, and when they catch them, they put them in play, waiting for the arrival of the official police.

This, we know, because these militiamen feel themselves in their right, and broadcast videos of their operations. But this week, one of them was particularly shocked: in New Mexico, more than 200 people detained, including many women and children. At the maneuver, the United Constitutionnal Patriots , a militia that seems squarely have a dedicated camp.

(on this video found on the USA Today website on April 20th, the UCP militia justifies its action)

The political authorities and the police have denounced this "initiative" and called for the respect of the law, but no information has been given on the fate ultimately reserved for these hundreds of illegal immigrants.

We are actively working with @NewMexicoOAG as well as local and state police. Menacing or threatening migrant families and asylum seekers is absolutely unacceptable and must cease. https://t.co/yYXf8G5m2O

However Saturday night, the arrest of one of the leader of the patriotic militia was still announced. Officially for a weapon possession problem. But a scheduled court hearing on Monday could tie in with the week's events and mark a milestone for the militia's activity.