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FBI arrests leader of armed group stopping migrants in New Mexico

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By Andrew Hay

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Hopkins, 69, also known as Johnny Horton, was arrested in Sunland Park, New Mexico, on a federal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

A criminal with a firearm.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

The FBI on Saturday said it had arrested Larry Hopkins, the leader of an armed group that is stopping undocumented migrants after they cross the U.S.-Mexico border into New Mexico.

If the liberals would allow the CBP to fully and completely do their job as well as ICE and support border security we wouldn’t have a need for vigilantes, but as long as they don’t, more will step up to the plate.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

Vigilanteism is illegal, asylum is not.

Not respecting one’s countries borders is illegal and asylum can be always asked, but doesn’t have to be granted by any country.

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

The USA does not need vigilante groups to run around the border terrorizing people. These groups have no legal standing to detain people.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

UCP wouldn't be doing this if the broken immigration system was fixed and we had a wall.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Serrano, the UCP might as well be the American right wing version of the Stormtroopers. They are pure evil pretending to uphold the good. The end never justifies the means.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

The USA does not need vigilante groups to run around the border terrorizing people. These groups have no legal standing to detain people.

UCP wouldn't be doing this if the broken immigration system was fixed and we had a wall

Someone has common sense and gets it.

Serrano, the UCP might as well be the American right wing version of the Stormtroopers. They are pure evil pretending to uphold the good. The end never justifies the means.

The Democrats won’t help this administration to stop it. Gavin Newsom recalled the National Guard and said and was proud to be an open borders sanctuary city, so if the State of California refuses to turn back, catch and release illegals, refuses to let their police work with ICE or CPB, refuses to build a wall, refuses to allow a wall to be built, What are the frustrated people supposed to to do? Just sit back and allow it to happen?

I’m not the kind of person that believes In vigilantism, but I totally understand and don’t blame them at all. If I lived along the border and were in the same situation. I would do the same

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

UCP wouldn't be doing this if the broken immigration system was fixed and we had a wall.

And government funded buses to transport undocumented immigrants away from the border to sanctuary cities, correct?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

And government funded buses to transport undocumented immigrants away from the border to sanctuary cities, correct?

But liberals want illegals to live in sanctuary cities as Emanuel and Newsom said, we will show Trump, his wall is not welcome, we are all immigrants and all have the right to be here, so take them in to your areas and the rest of us will uphold the law and deport on our end all the illegals, send them back and let them wait until they are granted political asylum.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Ayslum seeking is not illegal under international laws to which America is a signature.

And America is not obligated to give it.

They want illegals in Texas, 1.5 million of them to make many dollars for the many who will employ and exploit them.

The Lone Star State is a big supporter of the undocumented

No, they want legals

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/texas-tribune-poll-immigration-deportation/2014/06/18/id/577747/

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Hopkins was previously arrested in Oregon in 2006 on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm

Let me guess....Trump fan? No college education?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

nor any country, but still not illegal whichever way you want to word it

And doesn’t have to be granted no matter how you put it.

so please explain how 1.5 million undocumented people are living and working in the Lone Star State?

Which has absolutely nothing at all to do with illegals trying to enter the country and seek asylum

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

so you just try to ignore that problem in your own sanctuary state. Got it!

No, I’m just sticking to the point and not getting off on a tangent of going into something we had already discussed previously.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

It is the duty of the government to enforce laws and not the private citizen. At this time ICE is detaining legal US residents and even citizens for being in the country illegally. When a person detains another by using the threat of force it is considered kidnapping and illegal imprisonment and both of there are felonies.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

but you were the poster claiming to support Trump's idea of busing illegals to sanctuary states.

I do.

It is the duty of the government to enforce laws and not the private citizen. At this time ICE is detaining legal US residents and even citizens for being in the country illegally.

You are 100% correct, but since the Democrats refuse to work with Trump in curtailing illegals from entering in the country, he is forced as well as some citizens to take action, you don’t like it, the Democrats need to step up, otherwise you will see more vigilantes and as I have previously stated, I don’t blame these men for taking action.

When a person detains another by using the threat of force it is considered kidnapping and illegal imprisonment and both of there are felonies.

At the same time, the people along the border that are doing this feel the Democrats are holding them hostage and telling them to shut up and accept these illegals. Another reason why the second amendment will never go away.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

I don’t blame these men for taking action.

Unlike the Repubs, who had a couple of years to take action, took none, then blamed it on the people who were unable to take action, then finally left it to a bunch of thick rednecks to do the job that they couldn't.

You did well to convince yourself that you're the victim

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Most states in the USA has a law about "Citizen's Arrests" when a non-law enforcement officer witnesses a felony being committed. The specific laws vary by state, but they all are similar. Felony or disturbing the peace seem to be the key aspects. Quietly walking across a border wouldn't fit either of those terms - so it is illegal for non-law enforcement to arrest anyone.

Improper crossing of a border is a misdemeanor and it is classified as a civil offense, not criminal.

Crossing a border law: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1325

Citizen's Arrest laws by state: https://solutions-institute.org/tools/citizens-arrest-laws-by-state/

If you don't like a law, then get it changed. Don't break other laws.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

So busing illegals into the sanctuary state of Texas fits into Trump's suggestion.

It does.

No, because California is a sanctuary State not Texas, of course the newer migrants don’t want to go anywhere that’s not a sanctuary State.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I would call any state with an undocumented population of more than 1.5 million people, a sanctuary state

Doesn’t matter what you call it, you don’t get to legally change the rules of each State.

"If you close the border, Eagle Pass will die.’ Residents fear a Trump border closure would be destructive to South Texas towns."

But we are not talking about Texas, you’re the only one, we are talking about Democrat controlled sanctuary cities and States.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

so just ignore the undocumented by your own state

Not at all, Texas doesn’t deny nor do they stop ICE and the border patrol from doing their duties. If they apprehend illegals, they will be processed accordingly or even deported

and then blame others about theirs. Copy that!

No, just agreeing with Trump to allow illegals to go where the Democrats are and they can shower them with entitlements.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

You didn’t have the out of control thousands of illegals coming in. Second, the GOP welcomed Obama deporting them, now if they would have just sealed the border we wouldn’t be in this mess.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

No, just agreeing with Trump to allow illegals to go where the Democrats are and they can shower them with entitlements.

So, you're for open borders as long as the immigrants don't go to your state. You even want to spend government money to help transport the undocumented immigrants away from the border.

Got it.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I don’t blame these men for taking action.

You should. Only bad things can happen from this situation, especially the potential for violence. What these guys did is statistically insignificant to the problem, which is to say no benefit exists. Now the downside. They might inspire others to do the same, which would also be statistically insignificant, and also increase the odds of something going wrong during one of these "apprehensions."

So again, no upside, only potential downside. Not the right action to take and you should not support it.

No, just agreeing with Trump to allow illegals to go where the Democrats are and they can shower them with entitlements.

Just wanted to remind you that your little section of California, Orange County, is now blue. You should get ready for the influx.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

You didn’t have the out of control thousands of illegals coming in.

Because Obama was effective on immigration. You make it sound as if the vast majority of undocumented immigrants enter the country across the southern border instead of at ports of entry.

Second, the GOP welcomed Obama deporting them, now if they would have just sealed the border we wouldn’t be in this mess.

How do you "seal" a border? Like the DMZ on the Korean Peninsula?

Again, "sealing" the southern border would do zero to stop the vast majority of undocumented immigrants because they enter at ports of entry.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Hopkins was previously arrested in Oregon in 2006 on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

That is illegal.

Asylum seekers are not illegal.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

So, you're for open borders as long as the immigrants don't go to your state.

They can come, if they want to risk it, go for it. Texas is not California.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/04/us/texas-immigration-raid.html

Would never happen in California.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/09/texas-immigration-sanctuary-cities-law-arizona

Trump can’t compete with Obama on so many levels including the numbers of undocumented arrested and deported.

He didn’t have to compete. Trump didn’t have to deal with loads of caravan or Republicans that campaigned for open borders.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Trump didn’t have to deal with loads of caravan or Republicans that campaigned for open borders.

What does this mean?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

So again, no upside, only potential downside. Not the right action to take and you should not support it.

I understand, that’s how you feel, but I don’t feel the same way, I do understand why these people do the way they do and as I have said, I would as well if I were in the same situation and the largest party that oversees my my State did nothing to enforce the sovereignty laws of the US.

Just wanted to remind you that your little section of California, Orange County, is now blue. You should get ready for the influx.

I left OC a long time ago, so good luck to them.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

They can come, if they want to risk it, go for it. Texas is not California.

Glad you finally admit there is no crisis at the border and it was just manufactured outrage. Progress.

He didn’t have to compete. Trump didn’t have to deal with loads of caravan or Republicans that campaigned for open borders.

Yet, you and Trump were just complaining about loads of caravans and open-border democrats. Odd that suddenly you are saying there aren't caravans and that republicans are for open borders.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Because Obama was effective on immigration. You make it sound as if the vast majority of undocumented immigrants enter the country across the southern border instead of at ports of entry.

I never said that, I said, Obama didn’t have to deal with Republicans that wanted Open borders or the onslaught of continuous caravans trying to come in. We’re Republicans acting the same way as the Dems are and blocking every attempt to block Obama, then he definitely wouldn’t have been good dealing with the issue, not to mention they kept it as quiet as possible, even the separation of children.

Again, "sealing" the southern border would do zero to stop the vast majority of undocumented immigrants because they enter at ports of entry.

Sealing the border will greatly and drastically slow illegals, enough time for border patrol agents to get an upper hand. A criminal can easily enter your home even if you have a door, but it doesn’t stop you from having one, you door does what it’s supposed to do as a wall would.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Glad you finally admit there is no crisis at the border and it was just manufactured outrage. Progress.

I never said that and you know it, I don’t care what the Democrats or political hacks in DC say or what CNN is trying to force feed the public, I follow the DOJ, ICE and the CBP they are non-stop pleading that congress take action on this crisis.

Yet, you and Trump were just complaining about loads of caravans and open-border democrats.

For the Democrats, it’s something they’ve always championed for and good on Trump for helping them.

Are you certain of this?

Yes, sir

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I never said that, I said, Obama didn’t have to deal with Republicans that wanted Open borders or the onslaught of continuous caravans trying to come in.

This is what you said.

Trump didn’t have to deal with loads of caravan or Republicans that campaigned for open borders.

I realise it can get confusing, what with the narrative changing every second post but the fact remains - the militia's activities are illegal. Asylum seeking is not. Where is your condemnation of the illegal activities of the militia? Given that Horton/Hopkins is a known felon, isn't it odd how he's able to operate like this?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I never said that, I said, Obama didn’t have to deal with Republicans that wanted Open borders

Yes, he did. Republicans killed immigration reform bills in 2013 because they were and are pro-open borders.

You are also for open borders and government funded transportation farther into the homeland.

or the onslaught of continuous caravans trying to come in*

Yes, he did. These caravans aren't new, only the manufactured outrage if the right about these caravans is new. Nice try.

. We’re Republicans acting the same way as the Dems are and blocking every attempt to block Obama,

Then why did republicans kill two immigration reform bills?

You can't seriously be claiming the Repubs worked with Obama.

then he definitely wouldn’t have been good dealing with the issue, not to mention they kept it as quiet as possible, even the separation of children.

Let's be accurate, shall we? Do a tiny amount of research on how Obama didn't have a policy of separating children from their parents.

https://www.factcheck.org/2018/06/did-the-obama-administration-separate-families/

I never said that and you know it, I don’t care what the Democrats or political hacks in DC say or what CNN is trying to force feed the public, I follow the DOJ, ICE and the CBP they are non-stop pleading that congress take action on this crisis.

ICE and CBP are against transporting undocumented immigrants farther into the country.

For the Democrats, it’s something they’ve always championed for and good on Trump for helping them.

No, democrats do not and have not championed undocumented immigrants. That will never change no matter how many times you repeat that inaccuracy.

Yes, sir

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Yes, he did. Republicans killed immigration reform bills in 2013 because they were and are pro-open borders.

No, because of Harry Reid killing any Bill in the Senate of the Republicans calling for ending the visa lottery, chain migration, catch and release and sealing the border.

Yes, he did. These caravans aren't new, only the manufactured outrage if the right about these caravans is new. Nice try.

It’s absolutely true the numbers don’t lie, we never had as many large caravans with thousands of people coming in at one time repeatedly, never has happened previously.

You can't seriously be claiming the Repubs worked with Obama.

When it comes to the border especially, yes, they did.

Let's be accurate, shall we? Do a tiny amount of research on how Obama didn't have a policy of separating children from their parents.

It not about policy, it’s about whether he did or did not and he did....and very quietly.

ICE and CBP are against transporting undocumented immigrants farther into the country

One they are not the President and two, States like Texas and States Without Sanctuary will follow the laws of ICE when it comes to illegal immigration.

No, democrats do not and have not championed undocumented immigrants. That will never change no matter how many times you repeat that inaccuracy.

And no matter how many times you say it, it will never change that they do because if they did, they would work with this President and there would be No need for vigilantes along the border.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

No, because of Harry Reid killing any Bill in the Senate of the Republicans calling for ending the visa lottery, chain migration, catch and release and sealing the border.

Except the two bi-partisan immigration bills that came out of the senate.

Since republicans killed the start to immigration reform, your logic dictates that republicans are for open borders.

It’s absolutely true the numbers don’t lie, we never had as many large caravans with thousands of people coming in at one time repeatedly, never has happened previously.

No, it is not. The only thing that has changed about these caravans is the manufactured outrage of the right.

It not about policy, it’s about whether he did or did not and he did....and very quietly.

Separations happened under Obama when they couldn't be helped, not as a matter of course.

One they are not the President and

Changing the goalposts. You just said you trust CBP and ICE over politicians in Washington. Then, when it's pointed out that CPB and ICE are against transporting undocumented immigrants farther into the homeland, you go running back to a politician in Washington.

Its hilarious watching you flounder around like a fish out of water.

two, States like Texas and States Without Sanctuary will follow the laws of ICE when it comes to illegal immigration.

Then why are there 1.5 million undocumented immigrants in Texas?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

And no matter how many times you say it, it will never change that they do because if they did, they would work with this President and there would be No need for vigilantes along the border.

Here's your logic thatcdictates republicans are for open borders because they killed two immigration reform bills in 2013. Smooth.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

At the same time, the people along the border that are doing this feel the Democrats are holding them hostage and telling them to shut up and accept these illegals.

well thats going off on a tangent, so its perfectly OK for Americans to illegally detain Mexicans because they dont like what Democrats tell them. Does Not change the fact they're breaking US laws since they have no authority to detain people. Recalcitrant vigilantes and the second amendment doesn't supersede US laws

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Screw the FBI. These people are not armed vigilantes, it is a constitutional right to be able to form militias in order to defend the security of the state. These people are well within their rights to do what they're doing.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Screw the FBI. These people are not armed vigilantes, it is a constitutional right to be able to form militias in order to defend the security of the state. These people are well within their rights to do what they're doing.

This is an absurdity.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

it is a constitutional right to be able to form militias in order to defend the security of the state.

yes its called the AMerican military, and this would apply if America is getting invaded by armed foreign forces, but AMerica isnt, these armed vigilantes are detaining unarmed civillians they neither have the law or the position to allow them to do that. If they do want to detain people then theyre more than welcome to apply to join the border police etc once they receive their training and pass theyll be given the position and authority to do just what they desire.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The people that were detained need to file civil suits for false arrest, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress against these knobend cowboys.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The people that were detained need to file civil suits for false arrest, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress against these knobend cowboys.

They would lose in court so fast unless it’s taken up by some liberal judge in San Francisco.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

They would lose in court so fast unless it’s taken up by some liberal judge in San Francisco.

What exactly are you basing this inaccurate assessment upon?. Do you even know the elements of those causes of action?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

What exactly are you basing this inaccurate assessment upon?

I’m not being inaccurate, quite spot on, if that were to happen. Let’s just say, they wouldn’t try to sue in the State of Texas if that happened there.

Do you even know the elements of those causes of action?

Of course.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

we never had as many large caravans with thousands of people coming in at one time...

...and it's happening under Trump's watch. Trump is weak. Migrants are walking all over him.

No, just agreeing with Trump to allow illegals to go where the Democrats are and they can shower them with entitlements.

Amnesty part II (part I was Reagan). Shows that Trump is weak with immigration. Once Trump allows illegals to go where Democrats are and they become citizens (again, under Trump) then can then go to any place in the USA they want including Texas. They will become American citizens.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Screw the FBI. These people are not armed vigilantes, it is a constitutional right to be able to form militias in order to defend the security of the state. These people are well within their rights to do what they're doing.

This is an absurdity.

According to you. We'll take it under advisement.

it is a constitutional right to be able to form militias in order to defend the security of the state.

yes its called the AMerican military,

Yeah, well right now the American military is too busy protecting other countries around the globe. Check it out.

We have a crisis on our border now. This week, Mayor Douglas Nicholls of Yuma, Arizona, declared a state of emergency as thousands of illegal immigrants poured into the city and pushed it to its breaking point. As the mayor warned, the sudden influx of people is “above our capacity as a community to sustain.”

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

We have a crisis on our border now. This week, Mayor Douglas Nicholls of Yuma, Arizona, declared a state of emergency as thousands of illegal immigrants poured into the city and pushed it to its breaking point. As the mayor warned, the sudden influx of people is “above our capacity as a community to sustain.”

I thought you guys were just going to transport undocumented immigrants to sanctuary cities at government expense.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I thought you guys were just going to transport undocumented immigrants to sanctuary cities at government expense.

Democrat controlled ones, that makes it about 500 jurisdictions and liberal strongholds to escort them, the rest, I wouldn’t advise it.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Democrat controlled ones

Which is still the USA. Does Trump really want to prove his point so much about sanctuary cities? Make all the illegals Americans as long as they can live in sanctuary cities first (then later they can go anywhere since they are new Americans - thank Trump)

We have a crisis on our border now. 

And it's getting worse under Trump's watch.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Democrat controlled ones, that makes it about 500 jurisdictions and liberal strongholds to escort them, the rest, I wouldn’t advise it.

So farther from the border, deep into the homeland. They walked 1,000s of miles to get to the border, you don't think they'll walk away from sanctuary cities?

Texas has 1.5 million undocumented immigrants, so your "they're too scarred to go to conservative areas" argument just went up in flames.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

YuriOtaniApr. 21 08:03 pm JSTSerrano, the UCP might as well be the American right wing version of the Stormtroopers. They are pure evil pretending to uphold the good. The end never justifies the means.

They just appoint themselves as 'upholding the law' - AS THEY SEE IT. These militia types are NOTHING but racist scumbags. They are simply a bunch of troublemakers, period. They are Un-American.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Its funny to see some of you defend these guys but it's not surprising considering you also defend Trump's criminal actions.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

it is a constitutional right to be able to form militias in order to defend the security of the state.

Go ahead and point your gun towards a helpless child while on YouTube and see what happens.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

nishikatApr. 23 10:36 pm JSTit is a constitutional right to be able to form militias in order to defend the security of the state.

Go ahead and point your gun towards a helpless child while on YouTube and see what happens.

And when the 2nd Amendment was written the word 'militia' meant something else altogether to the new nation. Now we have a permanent legitimate 'militia', it's called the United States Army!!!

Anything else is just a bunch of THUGS - unmanly un-American trash. Some people, especially the 'armchair warrior' types are too stupid to see the difference. As a veteran I want nothing to do with these self-appointed 'guardians' and 'constitutionalists' who are posing as soldiers and 'vigilantes' but who are terrorists, bigots and scum. And most of these types, like the KKK are not even man enough to truly defend the U.S.A.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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