Rights Coalition Plans Border Violence Probe : Immigration: Group claims aliens are being targeted by law enforcement officers. Border Patrol blames bandits for the escalation of crimes.

A statewide coalition of civil rights groups announced Monday an investigation into what it describes as a disturbing escalation of hate crimes and violence by law enforcement officers against illegal immigrants along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The coalition plans to launch its investigation Wednesday with a three-day trip to the border that is scheduled to include meetings with the Border Patrol, local government officials and illegal immigrants. The group includes members from the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and the Los Angeles-based Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Vibiana Andrade, regional counsel for MALDEF, said the investigation is the first statewide effort to grapple with the “climate of crime” that she claims has enveloped the border region.

“There has been an alarming increase in violence,” Andrade said during a news conference at MALDEF headquarters. “Whether by the Border Patrol or hate groups it’s hard to tell.”

Border Patrol spokesman Ted Swofford said that the number of shootings involving illegal immigrants has declined in recent years. He said that in 1988, 14 shootings involving Border Patrol agents were recorded in the San Diego District. In 1989 and 1990 combined, the total was seven.

Swofford agreed that the border has become increasingly violent over the past few years, but he blamed gangs of bandits that have proliferated.

The coalition’s probe of border violence underscores the increasingly bitter battle over illegal immigration, particularly in the San Diego area, which is the most heavily traveled point of entry for illegal immigration in the country.

While violence has long been a part of border life, a series of shootings involving Border Patrol agents over the past two years has focused increased attention on the situation.

One of the most controversial cases involved the wounding of a 15-year-old Mexican boy who was shot last November as he was atop a fence separating Calexico from Mexicali, Mexico.

Border Patrol agents claimed the boy, Eduardo Garcia Zamores, was preparing to throw a rock at an agent. The boy and some witnesses said the boy had no rock and the shooting was unprovoked.

Since that shooting, there have been demonstrations along the border and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari has publicly decried violence against Mexican nationals.

U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner Gene McNary also has called for a review of the Border Patrol’s regulations on the use of lethal force.

Swofford said border bandits were responsible for nine murders last year. He added that assaults against Border Patrol agents have skyrocketed from 71 cases in 1988 to 229 last year.

Andrade agreed that bandit crimes have exacerbated tension along the border. She added that development throughout San Diego County also has increased problems by placing suburbanites in greater contact with illegal immigrants coming through the area.

In one case last year, a migrant worker was found handcuffed to a post in Carlsbad with a sign hung around his neck, reading: “ No mas aqui (No more here).”

Andrade said the 60-member delegation plans to submit a report in the next few months on its investigation that will include recommendations on how to relieve the violence.

She said options include creating a civilian commission to oversee Border Patrol activities and drafting stricter regulations controlling the use of lethal force.