Letter to Michael Chetoff, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security

May 10, 2006

The Honorable Michael Chetoff
Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Via fax: 202-282-9185

Dear Secretary Chertoff:

We are writing to express our grave concern regarding recent media reports that the Department of Homeland Security is cooperating with the Mexican government in reporting on the lawful activities of U.S. citizens. This is disturbing as we believe it potentially puts at risk the safety of our citizens who are lawfully protesting along our Southern border.

As you know, concerned citizens, worried about the porous nature of our borders and in an attempt to augment the work of our dedicated Border Patrol agents, have donated their time to peacefully monitor sections of the U.S. land border. Their efforts have allowed Border patrol agents to utilize their time along other sections of the border with the assurance that, should there be an illegal crossing of our sovereign border, entry would be dutifully reported to the nearest Border Patrol station allowing the appropriate authorities to respond.

Regardless of the circumstances, no person should have their physical safety threatened. While that applies to those who are seeking to unlawfully enter the U.S., it must also apply to U.S. citizens who are peacefully exercising their right to protest and monitor along the border. We are deeply concerned that if the media reports are accurate and the Department of Homeland Security is relaying information to the Mexican government on the locations of these citizen groups, whether formally or informally, their safety is being put at risk and their peaceable goals undermined.

We hope that you will immediately take the necessary steps to investigate this matter and, if accurate, cease all communications with the Mexican government as it relates to the lawful and peaceful activities of U.S. citizens. We appreciate your attention to this matter and we will look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Duncan Hunter, Member of Congress
Darrell Issa, Member of Congress
John Culberson, Member of Congress

http://www.culberson.house.gov/news.aspx?A=222