http://KVIA.com EL PASO, TX. - A controversial video game attached to an e-mail making the rounds of in-boxes around the country is highlighting just how some people feel about the immigration issue.
Many local residents have been forwarded an e-mail with the words "Border Patrol Game." However many are saying it is less a game and more an invitation to violence. In the game, players try to shoot and kill Mexican border crossers.
"Mexicans aren't the only target on Mr. Metzger's website as it also features games where players can kill homosexuals and Jews. Mr. Metzger adds that he doesn't know the origin of any of these games, 'When he likes one sent to him, he posts it'."
Inside the game there are three targets: a Mexican nationalist, a drug smuggler, and a pregnant woman running with two children which the game labels a "breeder."
Border Patrol spokesman Doug Nosier tells ABC-7, "They only perpetuate hate, not to mention show Border Patrol in a false light….it's horrendous and really unfortunate that these kind of games exist."
ABC-7 showed the game to immigrant advocate Illiana Holguin, whose first reaction was "Oh my God!"
Ms. Holguin went on to say, "That's terrible, that's horrible…it completely ignores the reason why people try to come to the us just the fact that they are fleeing horrible condition in their own county and are just trying to make a better life for themselves, its extremely offensive, extremely offensive."
Additionally, Ms. Holguin says the game is inaccurate. In the game setting, a sign on the border reads "Welcome to the United States" with an arrow pointing to a welfare office. Ms. Holguin says, "I think that's a very common misconception…immigrants are not even eligible for the majority of assistance programs…that's just wrong."
The game is found on a website run by Tom Metzger, a current Klu Klux Klan member and former Klan leader based out of Temecula, California. On the immigration issue Mr. Metzger tells ABC-7, "We must get them out of here by any means necessary."
Mr. Metzger also refers to this game as "target practice" and isn't a bit apologetic. His favorite character is the pregnant woman.
