The FBI arrest the leader of a militia accused of detaining migrants

The FBI on Saturday arrested the leader of a private militia group that holds migrants on the US-Mexico border for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The group operates in New Mexico.

Larry Mitchell Hopkins, who is also quoted by Johnny Horton Jr. according to the FBI, is a member of United Constitutional Patriots in New Mexico. The group has posted images and videos of its operations on its Facebook page. some videos show immigrants held by armed members.

A recent group video drew the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which called on the governor and attorney general of New Mexico to condemn the militia and end its operations.

In response to this arrest, the Attorney General of New Mexico, Hector Balderas, issued a declaration it says in part: "He's a dangerous criminal who should not have weapons around children and families."

Balderas added: "The arrest by the FBI makes it clear that the law must be governed by well-trained law enforcement officers, not by armed militias."

Mexico has also reacted to private militia actions at the border. A few hours before the announcement of the arrest, the country's Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which it warned private militias operating at the US-Mexico border to violate the human rights of people passing through Mexico. to seek asylum from the United States.

More than a year ago, caravans of immigrants who were crossing Mexico drew the attention of President Donald Trump, who claimed that immigrants, many of whom hoped to apply for asylum , posed a danger to the United States. A number of militia groups at the border have also become aware.

A spokesman for United Constitutional Patriots said the group had arrested 5,600 immigrants in the last two months, and that it was doing nothing more than "support the border patrol".

Customs and US Border Protection (CBP) have asked private citizens not to try to help do their job. Rather, it suggests that concerned citizens who attend illegal border crossings call immigration and border officials rather than trying to apprehend the immigrants themselves.