Civilian monitors on both borders

More than 4,000 civilian volunteers are expected to man observation posts beginning today on the Mexican border from Texas to California and in states along the Canadian border in a new Minuteman protest of immigration enforcement policies they consider lax.Chris Simcox, who heads the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, yesterday said the organization has "greatly expanded" since a similar but limited vigil in Arizona in April to help secure the nation's border against illegal entry."The risk of terrorists and criminals entering this country through our wide open borders is at a critical level," Mr. Simcox said. "When the government fails to fulfill its primary duty and protect this nation, it is up to self-governing people to step into the breach."Americans have historically organized and done what is necessary to defend this country. Today is no different," he said.Mr. Simcox said members of the Vietnam Veterans and Gulf War Coalition and Rolling Thunder will join in the operation, known as "Secure Our Borders."Participants will report to the U.S. Border Patrol but will not detain those attempting to illegally cross into the United States. They will be deployed in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, as well as border regions of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota.......