Pastor says law enforcement stopped, beat him in border check

Tempe, Arizona resident, and church pastort, Steven Anderson has detailed abuse at the hands of U.S. Border Patrol agents and Arizona Department of Public Safety officers during an immigration stop on Interstate 8 earlier this week as he was returning from a business trip in San Diego.  For a news story on the incident, see the story in the Arizona Republic (Apr. 17, 2009); see also here.

According to Anderson’s video posted on YouTube, he refused to consent to a Border Patrol search of  his car at the checkpoint.  Border Patrol agents told Anderson that the canine unit alerted officers that drugs or people could be concealed inside Anderson’s car.  State police in an official response emphasized that *It should be noted that in 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court [United States v. Martinez-Fuerte] upheld the constitutionality of Federal checkpoints near border areas to enforce laws prohibiting illegal immigration. This U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint along Interstate 8 is in compliance with federal law.*

Anderson refused to move his car or roll down his windows,  Agents broke out the windows of his car and took him to the ground forcefully. Anderson said he required 11 stitches to his face, and that he was shocked repeatedly with a Taser while he was lying prone on the ground.

According to Anderson, the search revealed nothing.  His closing plea in the video, “Why is this happening iin the United States of America?”  A very good question.

KJ