Ranch Rescue
lindsey martinez
A. Title of agency or organization? Border Rescue/ Ranch Rescue USA
B. Where is home base (city/state/country)? Sierra Vista, Arizona. There are other branches of this group based in Texas, California, and other border states.
C. Date founded? Could not be found
D. Names of key spokespersons/officers: President/Founder: Jack Foote Volunteers/Spokespersons: William Dore, Thomas Nellist
E. What/who is key constituency or audience? The main audience is anti-immigration US citizens
F. What are the agency’s main activities? The group’s main activity involves patrolling and protecting private properties close to the border from immigrants. This group is known to be armed and is also known for using force in their encounters with migrants.
G. Mission statement? (you may quote mission statement if available; use quotation marks) “Dedicated to defending and preserving the private property rights of individualized citizens”
H. What are the key im/migration issues of concern to this agency? According to the founder as well as the volunteers of this group, their main concern is the protection of private property, “No one has the right to enter a private property, unless invited, without a warrant. That’s Border Patrol, that’s Mexican nationals, all criminals. We are stopping the abuse right here and now because the government has failed in its duty to contribute to the abuse.”- Jack Foote.
I. What appears to be the most common informational basis for statements issued, press releases, reports, etc.? The most common informational basis for statements stem from their website. The website incorporates many articles on immigration and studies on immigration.
J. Any publications? (what types, sample titles; if online, give links) It is clear that the website is used to present current information regarding their mission. The group haas news articles and statements posted on their website.
K. Give at least one citation of this agency in a newspaper article (preferably an Arizona newspaper). “While some of the individual vigilantes may deny any overt connections to white supremacy, the movement they are creating is part of a parcel of the white supremacist movement. It’s not about private property or immigration; that’s a lie. It’s about racism. These are hate groups and these are hate crimes.” Herald, Sierra Vista 04/15/04.
L. Other issues of interest? The group seems to have an interest in eliminating drug smugglers as well.
M. Is the agency noticeably pro or con immigration? (you may need to determine this from readings its position papers, press releases, news reports, etc) They are undoubtedly against immigration
N. Web site? Give URL: http://www.ranchrescue.com/