The following is a FAQ from the Friends of the Border Patrol website.

Note question #8.

http://www.friendsoftheborderpatrol.com/FBPFAQ.html

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the FBP Border Watch?

The FBP Border Watch is a project of our organization called the “Friends of the Border Patrol Border Watch.” It is founded on the principle of “neighborhood watch.” FBP wants our government to secure ALL of our borders, coastlines, seaports, and airports not just the Canadian or Mexican borders.

Let the Border Patrol Enforce the law!

2. What will happen during the FBP Border Watch?

Citizens will be monitoring the border for illegal entry by illegal aliens. If the illegals crossed through the nearest Port of Entry, they would have done so legally, hence, why they are called “Illegal Aliens.” Citizens will then contact the U.S. Border Patrol, and then get out of the way.

3. Will these civilian volunteers stop, or apprehend the illegal aliens?

No, all volunteer civilians will be prohibited, without exception, from any interaction with any and all illegal aliens. Civilian volunteers are prohibited from attempting to enforce U.S. immigration laws. Failure to do so will result in removal from the FBP Border Watch. This is to ensure everyone’s safety.

4. Many opponents say you don’t have training, you should join the Border Patrol if you want to do the job. How do you respond to that?

I do not know many in this nation that have a better understanding, outside of Border Patrol agents, of what training is involved for the U.S. Border Patrol. Again, we will not attempt to apprehend, detain, or have any involvement with illegal aliens entering the US. Again, we are not engaging this FBP Border Watch to do the Border Patrol’s job, we are there to observe, contact, and let the highly trained Border Patrol agents enforce the law.

5. Will the civilian volunteers be trained?

Yes, all volunteers will undergo a training session prior to deployment in the Area of Responsibility. However, they will be trained specifically for observation and will follow a list of protocols, failure to do so will result in removal from the FBP Border Watch.

6. Will any volunteers be armed?

The only volunteers who shall be armed are those are lawfully allowed to do so. Such individuals are off-duty, and retired law enforcement officials who have served in federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies. All other civilian volunteers will be prohibited from carrying concealed weapons in accordance with California laws and statutes.

7. It is felt that this is about race. How do you as a person of Mexican ancestry respond to the charge that projects such as these are racially motivated?

This is not about race, or scapegoating a particular ethnicity. That’s just the same tired rhetoric used by supporters of illegal immigration and the slavery by coyotes. Planning is already underway for northern Border Watch programs.

8. Will you reject any group or individual’s application on racism grounds?

FBP will reject applications, and offers of support from any person or organization, who has engaged in such behavior. In fact, we have rejected an offer of support by Joseph Turner from Save Our State, Inc, an organization not affiliated in any way with Ron Prince or Save Our State, the organization who sponsored Prop 187. Mr. Turner personally attempted to incite violence at a January 2005 protest with his published statement of, "Bring your bats fellas. If we’re lucky, we’re gonna need them….PING!" There has been no remorse or attempt to recant such statements from Mr. Turner publicly, which includes an interview by KFI’s John Ziegler.

9. Will FBP allow confederate or rebel flags to be flown during the FBP Border Watch?

No, Rebel and Confederate flags are prohibited from being flown by any volunteer during the FBP Border Watch. We request that volunteers fly patriotic flags including: "Old Glory", any one of the official 50 State flags, flags from any of the U.S. Military branches, POW-MIA flag and the historic "Don't Tread on Me" flag. We ask that all other flags be left at home. As this is a national issue of crisis, no other flag is appropriate.

10. How is the FBP Border Watch being funded?

Friends of the Border Patrol accepts donations. American citizens are making donations to support our civilian volunteer effort from across the nation. We are incorporated in the State of California as a non-profit public benefit corporation, and will soon be applying for our 501c3 with the IRS.

11. What was the inspiration for the FBP Border Watch?

Actually there were three things. First, the Minuteman Project provided inspiration in its success of sending a message to President Bush, and Congress. Second, A picture published of a little girl who was stuffed into a piñata in order to smuggle her illegally into the United States. Any parent should have been sickened that a child would be smuggled in such a way. Those activists who oppose our efforts need to support our efforts to put the coyotes out of business. Finally, and most importantly, the U.S. Border Patrol’s agents are prohibited in writing and verbally by managers from doing their jobs. That is obstruction of justice. Our volunteers will call the Border Patrol so agents can respond to calls and enforce the law as they are mandated to do.

12. How long as Friends of the Border Patrol been around?

FBP was formed in August 2004 in direct response to the attack by our own government on the Border Patrol agents, with policies intended to prohibit agents from enforcing immigration laws, and those draconian policies and regulations by the Bush Administration that are circumventing the legislative and judicial branches by removing their oversight, and are forcing agents to resign.

13. What is the most absurd question you’ve received by a member of press?

Actually, that came from a representative of the Spanish language media. I was asked if I was going to wear a uniform during the FBP Border Watch. I thought uniform? This is not a militia, or a junta. Also, I’m not one of those international dictators, like Fidel Castro. It just shows the mentality of that particular journalist. If anything, it’s easy to understand why many Americans will not talk with Telemundo, considering the way their reporters try to editorialize and villainize their subjects. Pure tabloid journalism, and I have no respect for such nonsense. Until we see that change, Telemundo is not welcome at any FBP sponsored event. If anything, I have that much more respect for Jaime Garcia from Univision for his professionalism as a journalist.

*Note - More questions to be added as they arise.