BRACKETTVILLE, Texas—For months, Texas ranchers have dealt with a relentless stream of illegal aliens traversing their property, cutting fences, breaking into their homes, and threatening them. Their patience is wearing thin.
Rural Kinney County, where Brackettville sits, has become a major thoroughfare for illegal immigrants trying to avoid law enforcement. The county shares just 16 miles of international border with Mexico, but sits between Del Rio and Eagle Pass—two major illegal border-crossing areas in Texas.
The Kinney sheriff’s stable of six full-time deputies has been beefed up by constables and deputies from Galveston, but with 1,360 square miles to cover, it’s an insurmountable ratio. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has had an impact, catching smugglers on the roads and illegal aliens on ranches, but still, they’re outnumbered.
Meanwhile, Sam Hall, the founder and president of militia group Patriots for America, has spent the past week in Kinney County.
“What we’ve seen is an invasion of this county,” Hall said during a county commissioner’s meeting on Oct. 18. “What we’ve seen is residents that are scared to death right now, and they don’t feel like they have support from the state.”
Hall told The Epoch Times that he’ll have around 40 men in the county by the end of the week and a total of 100 by around Oct. 26, with more coming. The militia’s arrival is happening against the backdrop of reports that 60,000 to 85,000 mostly Haitian migrants are on their way toward the U.S. border.
“We need the right men. And as many men are wanting to come down here, we don’t need just a warm body—we need very high IQ, situational-awareness kind of men,” he said.
He said the militia will operate as a deterrent in areas of high traffic.
“As a militia, we can’t detain or arrest people. We can disrupt and frustrate until the county or DPS can get there,” Hall said. He said the militia is self-funded, but members are having to take time off work to join. He anticipates that members from Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana will travel to Kinney County.
“We’re not here to hurt anybody. We’re not here to beat our chests, start a fight—nothing like that. We’re here to keep people safe,” Hall said.
“We’re not leaving as a militia until we know that this county is safe.”
Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe said the militia is welcome, “but we’ve just got to keep an eye on who they are, where they’re coming from.”
He says Hall’s militia group seems “very squared away” and hopes they’ll stay in communication with him as to where they’re operating.
“The best thing for them to do is to be in observation mode,” Coe told The Epoch Times.
“If somebody lets them on their private property, that’s between them and the landowner, but if they see something, call us, don’t engage it. Don’t start something that they can’t finish or finish wrongly, because then we’ll really be open to a lawsuit.”
Coe said militias have gotten a bad name over the past several decades, but “because of the militia, the United States exists, and so does the State of Texas.”
“There’s a place for a militia. But it has to be dealt with very, very delicately, because there’s a fine line there between vigilantism and militia,” he said.
Hall said he’s aware that any mistake his members make will be “exploited by the left.”
“And so we can’t have anybody down here that’s, you know, watched too many ‘Rambo’ movies growing up and have these illusions of grandeur. We need people that have cool-headed discernment and wisdom, and know that this is a high-stakes situation.”
At the county commissioners meeting, Coe’s request for an initial 10 reserve deputies, on an unpaid three-month rotation, was approved. Coe said he may pull some militia members into that team, and he’s also hoping that some local retired peace officers can help fill the slots.
In its latest local disaster declaration, filed on Oct. 6, Kinney County requested that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott “immediately deploy 2,000 state military personnel to Kinney County to repel an invasion and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Texas.”
Coe said he spoke to the governor’s office on Oct. 13 and isn’t expecting any National Guard troops in the county, although 1,500 personnel are being deployed to the flanking border cities of Eagle Pass and Del Rio.
DPS has arrested more than 1,200 illegal aliens for trespassing on private property in Kinney County in the past several months, and County Attorney Brent Smith said he’s received about 800 case files so far.
However, the county remains concerned about access to jail space as it relies on a temporary detention facility in neighboring Val Verde County to take the overflow, while the state is holding inmates in a repurposed facility in Dilley.
since the government is so very very corrupt and won’t do anything it encourage this invasion we must protect our country. the farmers and ranchers have been ignored and never mentioned as they are the first in line to lose everything and have to worry about their lives daily as the criminals take what they want. like g he e caravan leader saying they will wage war to get into our country i believe that’s a declaration of war and needs treated as such not by open c armed church groups getting paid millions to move these invaders around to attack at will!!
The American, incredibly stupid senators and representatives in action. . .sitting on their asses and doing absolutely nothing as usual. Then again, maybe they’re not so stupid after all. They’ve been bought and paid for to allow this crap to continue. Jackasses, every last one of ’em.
To hell with the fear of lawsuits. This is our state and illegal aliens have no business coming here. They (men, women and children) need to be stopped and not allowed to enter… PERIOD. And, those who are here need to be rounded up and deported. It is time to ignore lawsuits and butt heads with Fedzilla. Since Biden and the other Marxists are intentionally trying to turn us into a 3rd world country, we need to tell the feds to shut up and stay out of our business. If they are not going to defend our borders, we’ll do it ourselves…. and if it means defending it by force of arms, so be it!
I have to wonder just how peaceful and restrained Sam Hall and his men will be when the Mexican cartels start firing live rounds at them from across the border. Like they’re doing with the National Guard.
I understand why the Mexican authorities don’t try and properly police their side of the border. They are seriously out-gunned by the drug cartels and many Mexican police along the border areas have been bought off or stand down for fear of being killed by the cartels. However, that doesn’t mean we should simply roll out the welcome mat for an unlimited number of illegals to be processed and shipped all around our country.
AG Garland little leftist puke will probably be sending federal agents to interfere with it.
So 5 billion dollars later Haitians are coming unchecked unvaccinated bringing who knows what and WH is OK with that but parents are domestic terrorists we live in the mental institution ran by criminally insane
This is a disgrace to our country. We are the United State not the Nation States. Biden is destroying our country with illegals who can not read, write or care for themselves. All the social democrat party wants is more illegal voters. Sent them to another country with Open Borders
HOORAY FOR STATE OF TEXAS FOR ADVOCATING FOR SELF! THE LONE STAR STATE IS ABSOLUTELY DOING THE DOING THE RIGHT ACTION IN THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS ! OTHER STATES NEED TO TAKE POSITIVE ACTIONS TOO
It’s way past time, all state militia’s should be activated! The DC Sewer and DOJ are insane psychopaths; the inmates are running the prison in America. About damn time some citizen’s are locking and loading! (knock knock) Housekeeping!!!!!!
When law enforcement is told to stand down patriotic Americans will stand up
Recruit still-seasoned combat vets for ‘action’ and older Vets for logistics/backup, etc.
GIVE THE RANCHERS SOME M-60s
We would have not needed the militia had Trump been in charge. Biden, however demented he is, sold us all out!
It’s very troubling when our ‘representatives’ in DC do not respect our Constitution. Our Constitution mandates the federal government protect it’s states from invasion and the way I see it they are not doing their job.
What took so long? . . . Ted Cruz has the right idea, he says bus theses illegals to the “hometowns” of Democratic Leadership. Obama’s Martha Vinyard should be the first destination, next Jackass Joe’s Delaware neighborhood, etc, etc. . . . I AM so fed up that over a million illegals are allowed to remain coming with no means of financial support and we, Americans are supposed to allow this?
What insanity? . . . Democrats want no borders, great, they can house, feed, and support them in THEIR BACKYARDS ONLY!
GREAT THING THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING BUT WHEN LOCAL LAW PEOPLE ARREST THEM THEN WHO IS GOING OT STAND UP FOR THEM. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, YOU BETTER THINK TWICE ABOUT THAT. ANOTHER THING, THESE PEOPLE COMING HERE KNOW THEY WILL HAVE A LIFE WAY MORE WORTH LIVING THAN WHAT THEY LEFT EVEN IN PRISON. THEY GET FED, CLOTHES MEDICAL AND A PLACE TO SLEEP. THESE THINGS THEY DO NOT GOT BACK HOME. BUT WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO THIS. WE THE PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW OTHER THAN SHIP THEM BACK AND TELL THEM TO FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY WANT. TAKE BACK THEIR LAND, THEIR COUNTRY. AMEIRICA NEEDS TO ARM THEM AS THEY GOT OFF THE PLANE GOING BACK HOME TO DEFEND THEMSELVES WITH
God Bless them!!! Desperate times call for desperate measures. The federal government is useless…worse…they’re counter productive. Stand strong behind 10A! These ARE desperate times. We don’t have a border “crisis”; we have a border catastrophe…if you want to call it a border. This illegitimate regime is treasonous to the core…including puppet-boy.
We The People deserve to be protected and have secure borders. It is the number one of duty of The President of the United States! Biden has abandoned his DUTY!
The militia is treading on dangerous ground. The Communists are looking for any reason to call the Right “ White Supremacists” I can see the headlines now.
This Border crisis is absolutely outrageous. What other country does not protect it’s sovereignty ?
Where is the outrage by the masses. These Socialist bastards are killing this country ! Why isn’t the National Guard mobilized ? Why aren’t mass marches in DC ? Where is the Republican Outrage ??
We are headed for Civil War .
Militia is a Great idea. I’ve been wondering if the “Texas State Guard” still exists ? I would be willing to help out but the article stated they don’t want just warm bodies but more like former Military / Law Enforcement, which I am not.
Very Hard to believe the Great State of Texas is seemingly defenseless against this Invasion ! What is Slow-Rolling the Process ??
You don’t stop the fox when he’s in the hen house! You stop the fox before he gets in the hen house!
The US Army should be here PERIOD ! AmeriKa is being invaded !
Shoot them like they did in the 50s when they come over here and commit crimes. We didn’t have an influx of illegals back then. You shouldn’t have to suffer looses and damage to property just because a bunch of dumb ass Democrats want them here. Let every Democrat in office pay for the damages to these ranchers out of their own pocket, not out of our money. It will stop.If not cause damage to the Democrats homes and family, it will stop.
350,000 Military “Patriots” just tossed out like junk for refusing the KILLER VAXX…NEED TO COME TO TEXAS !
Eisenhower deported thousands of “wetbackks” back then so returning troops from the war HAD JOBS ! FACT !
So grateful for this! These ranchers have been needing help. Our local news have been reporting on this for weeks.
Glad to see this but the Sheriff needs to deputize all these militia members and the governor needs to empower ALL U S Citizens to defend the border without fear of prosecution.
Militias have a long history in the development of our nation. And they have in many areas a very bad reputation. This will, as the article states, be “delicate” and needs to be carefully maintained. Like the article stated…they don’t want Rambo….but cool, attentive, even professional kinds of people. I hope they do a serious vetting to be sure there are no incidents that bring on a disaster. My fear is that the criminals on the other side of the border will instigate something, and how these militia members respond will be the acid test. Hope this plays out just as expected…..added help to curb the tide, restrict passage and send a message…..we do not want you coming to America….not this way!
My idea of guard towers every 600 yards manned by volunteers with their own firearms and ammunition is sounding less crazy all the time.
Stop ALL immigration NOW ! We don’t need now want anymore.
This is the first step in the right direction. Next is vigilante rule to become the law of the land. Those ‘people’ are criminal INVADERS as they snub their noses at our immigration laws. If I was a rancher down there I’d run out of ammo all the time.
If the state or federal government won’t protect it’s citizens then we have to do it ourselves. Shame on both Biden and Abbott for not putting the military and/or the National Guard along the border to seal it tight. The safety and security of America’s citizens MUST come first and I thank God for the local militia and for the work they do.
We need our Militias because we have an administration that does not care about the safety and lives of American citizens. We are being invaded by thousands of migrants who will never become law-abiding, productive citizens. Most will never learn English,. Most hate us and will bring violence to our streets. I wish every Governor would call up their Militias. If I wasn’t a beat up old lady, I would join a Militia. They are the last defenders before us citizens are forced by circumstance to exercise our 2A rights to protect our homes and property.
Hooray for Texas MILITIA WAY TO GO !
folks BEING PROACTIVE IS BETTER THAN BEING A SHEEP !
Thank God for the patriots in Texas for doing something that the Biden administration will never do and that’s a model for all of the border states that value America and safeguarding our country from illegal’s entering bringing diseases, crime and adding to the welfare roles!
This all started when some very woke people voted for the DEMENTIA SCUZ BALL biden from the pits of hell///. Its time the haitians were sent home as well as any other ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT//This slug biden should end up in a garage dump and take his bride Kamala with him//
God bless these militia folks and keep them safe, I hope this is just the beginning of something big. We the People are having to step up and do what biden and the libs won’t do. We need to help our friends in Texas and put an end to this craziness. I’m 70 years old but I can still shoot straight; maybe I’ll get a chance to join them!
I have a novel idea. Why don’t we quit trying to play by the left’s rules?! WHERE does statute say that a citizen can’t restrain or engage someone who is in OUR country illegally and is breaking our laws and trampling on our Constitution?? I realize that the left doesn’t have a clue how angry the average citizen is and I realize that they don’t care. I have a news flash for them…..this is OUR border and it is OUR country. It doesn’t belong to Joe Biden or the DNC. For that matter it doesn’t belong to the Border Patrol. They work for the citizens of this country and they are presently overwhelmed and not able to cope. It’s not like militia is down there interfering with law abiding folks who are trying to make a living and pay taxes. There are a lot of clear headed men and women in our country who are veterans and ex-leo. They have experience and training. The governor of Texas needs to be asking for their help and then he needs to be helping them organize when they arrive. Get some facilities set up that they can stay in that are secure and at least feed them. He shouldn’t be able to muster more than a few million….
God bless and keep you all safe! Also my heart goes out to the Real Americans suffering watching their livelihoods being ruined and families being attacked because of these illegals. Go forth and protect TX and God Speed to all you Real Americans!
I’m have sniper training from my tours in “Nam. I think it is about time for some “PAYBACK”.
I think it’s only a matter of time before one of the shots from over the river wounds or kills one of our border patrol agents. Or a rancher and their family are killed by one of the gangs. The blood on Biden’s hands gets thicker and thicker.
Good for Texas!
This failed joebama and democrat majority Congress has been a clown show!
Blatantly ignoring America’s immigration laws, open borders to illegals criminals and drug smuggling that has destroyed people’s live,property and peace.
Round them up and drop them off right where these useless,self serving failures live!
Enough of the democrats attacks on Citizens freedoms!!
THROW THEM OUT
In an earlier time,I would be on my way to join them. Sadly, I’ve learned my limitations. Godspeed to the militia.
Simply another clear example of the fact that THE LEFT RUINS EVERYTHING IT TOUCHES.
Biden is causing this and we are in for trouble. The leaders of the caravans are trash talking, the cartels are firing shots across the Rio Grande. What do you think will happen when they get here? They will try to overpower the thin line of volunteers. Civilians will be killed. Just what the communists who have infiltrated our govt want. Biden could stop this today.
This can all be stopped in one day , but this administration is allowing this to happen. These are votes coming across the border. That’s all that’s on their mind. These people aren’t leaving their countries on account of climate change. It’s not about humanity! The mainstream media doesn’t report the drug smuggling, rape, deaths, child abduction, COVID cases, that is happening everyday at our border! So sad . . . This militia that’s forming better be careful, because one clown can make this headline news, and in a bad way. God bless America .
Bravo! Proud of these men & women. Doing the job the Demorats won’t do!
Expand all along border for sure, interconnect, share Intel
All of our southern border states should take matters in there hands to protect themselves. Our so called leaders in our so called government are not concerned about the American people. They only care about getting more money and votes for themselves.