Last Sunday 22 illegal immigrants from Mexico piled into a stolen Chevrolet pickup and led the California Highway Patrol and the U.S. Border Patrol on a chase near San Diego which reached speeds of 95 miles per hour. The wobbly vehicle darted on to a central divider, traveled eastbound on a westbound interstate, and then spun out of control after the driver tried to bypass a police spike strip. The car flipped, resulting in the death of the driver and one other passenger and injuries to the other 20 passengers, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Guess who the Mexican Consulate in California is blaming for the crash: the reckless bordercrossers who imperiled innocent motorists and their own lives? No, Mexican officials lay the blame on U.S. authorities. The CHP and Border Patrol are guilty of “gross negligence” for using spike strips, says Consul General Rodulfo Figueroa.
This is crassness of staggering proportions. And yet such crassness largely defines Mexico’s policy toward the United States. Mexico says its policy is based on “self-interest.” Try shameless selfishness. In their mindless nationalism, Mexican officials won’t give even the slightest nod to justice.
Why did this crash occur? First, because of the stupidity and criminality of the illegal immigrants who overloaded the stolen vehicle and floored it instead of stopping for the police. Second, because the Mexican government encourages its citizens to sneak into America, even though that endangers their lives and the lives of Americans.
“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know what the consequences are going to be, even if they don’t hit the spikes,” Figueroa said. Nor, Mr. Figueroa, do you need much of a brain to see that if you encourage your country’s citizens to break another country’s laws dangers will follow.
One hundred percent of the blame for this incident falls on Mexico. The CHP has every right to use spike strips. They save innocent lives. If they pose a danger, they only pose a danger to moronic criminals who go looking for the danger by leading cops on high-speed chases.
Figueroa owes America an apology for the “gross negligence” of his countrymen who broke U.S. law, wasted American resources, and threatened the lives of innocent motorists. Spike strips are the gentlest means of stopping these public menaces. In less softheaded times, cops used to shoot at drivers barreling into crowded intersections. The Los Angeles Times reports that a van full of illegal immigrants recently killed six people as it evaded the Border Patrol by driving toward oncoming traffic.
It would be inaccurate to say Mexico wants California’s cops to fight border crimes with one arm behind their backs. They want both arms tied, because they don’t want border crimes fought at all. According to Figueroa, cops should just waive as illegal immigrants speed into the country.
Liberal Californians, always ready to side with criminals over cops, are planning a “candlelight vigil” to protest the CHP’s spike strips. You see, they violate an illegal immigrant’s inalienable right to overload his vehicle and travel at 100 mph. They jeopardize his tires, force him to travel down the wrong side of the street as well as sidewalks and central dividers, and prevent him from escaping justice. They are “dangerous,” these activists say, because illegal immigrants typically travel in cars packed to the gills. The police have no business upending such unstable vehicles, they argue.
One can feel some sympathy for the hapless migrants who join these crazy caravans. But here’s an idea, Mr. Figueroa: Tell them not to come. Tell them, “If you get into a smuggler’s car with 21 other people, you are taking your life into your own hands.”
People who turn on a flame and then place their hand in it will get burnt.
