The band of brothers who voluntarily patrol the US-Mexico border: Heavily armed vigilantes led by a veteran dubbed 'Nailer' act as the final guard against what they call an 'immigrant invasion'
The Arizona Border Recon - made up of veterans former private security officers - guard the US-Mexico border
They stop illegal immigrants, drug smuggling and human trafficking while providing intelligence to border agents
Photographs were captured by Johnny Milano, who followed the men as they patrolled near the town of Nogales
Many of men see immigration as an 'invasion' similar to when they served with US military in war zones, Milano said
By Ollie Gillman For Dailymail.com
Published: 16:06 EST, 3 October 2015 | Updated: 18:49 EST, 3 October 2015
Dressed in camouflage gear and wielding heavy machine guns, these men look like they are off to war.
But while the pictures appear to show this band of brothers patrolling a conflict zone, they are actually guarding the border between the US and Mexico.
The ‘watchmen’ of The Arizona Border Recon - led by the group's chief 'Nailer' - protect the border near the Mexican town of Nogales, with three goals; stop illegal immigration, stop drug smuggling, and stop human trafficking.
Technically speaking anyone can perform a citizen's arrest, but illegal immigration and human trafficking are not day-to-day offences.
'I think “authorization” becomes a complicated term in this sense, Mr Milano explained. 'It becomes complicated because although the state may give legal authority to do so, this is actually an international policy issue concerning inter-country borders, not something like a bank robbery.'
The US-Mexico border (pictured at Sasabe, Arizona) is not a new political issues, but it is a growing one. Donald Trump has vowed to build a huge wall along the entirety of it
Mr Milano said: 'To them this is most certainly an invasion. In some respects I believe the US/Mexico border is the nearest domestic geographic place where many of the vets can compare to their tours in Afghanistan or Iraq, or elsewhere, so in some way it is the easiest way to get back into “protecting the country” from what they believe is the most imminent threat and performing their civic duty.'
US Customs and Border Protections does not appreciate the Arizona Border Recon, the photographer said, at least at federal level.
But he said that officers on the ground welcome intelligence the men have picked up on their patrols, especially when visiting houses along the border.
The US-Mexico border is not a new political issues, but it is a growing one. Donald Trump has vowed to build a huge wall along the entirety of it.
And even if that does happen, the Border Recon will still be there. Group leader Nailer told Mr Milano: 'We're going to keep doing it until [the border's] fixed or I'm dead.'
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