HEREFORD — The founder of a new Web cast recorded in Cochise County that focuses on border and illegal immigration issues says the program is already popular among listeners and he is hopeful it will only get better.

“On the Border with Al Garza,” which first aired July 14, is hosted by Garza, who is perhaps best known for his role as national executive director of the border watch group Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.

Chuck Alton decided to start Cochise Talk due to the lack of local originated radio in Sierra Vista and Cochise County. Garza consented to be the program’s host. The show appeals to conservatives, Christians and patriotic people, Alton said.

Four times per week new programming is produced. It is recorded in segments and then edited. Then a one-hour show is aired continuously in a loop on the Web site www.cochisetalk.com until the next program is produced.

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“Our country has been transformed into an oasis for illegal aliens and their uneducated Third World mentality. We have been sold out by the various people we elected to represent our nation’s best interests,” Garza said during Thursday’s episode.

“Each of us has become subservient to the demands placed upon us by special interest groups, crooked politicians and corporate America,” he continued. “We must assemble together as Americans to demonstrate to the rest of the globe that our land and our way of life and our Christian principles are not on the market at any price.”

Thursday’s episode also featured an interview with Joe King, a Pima County rancher who has experienced problems with illegal immigrants on his property.

Listeners are encouraged to leave comments by either calling a telephone hotline or sending an e-mail. Garza reads some of the e-mails on the air.

Some of the recorded voicemail messages also are played during the show.

Alton said the program is off to “a good start,” and added, “It’s got people buzzing.” The Web site has received hits from as far away as Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom.

“In the first week we were on, there were 15,000 hits on our various pages and about 800 discreet listeners. And we have not spent any money on publicity. It’s all from word of mouth,” he said.

Garza and Alton said they are involved in the Web cast because they want to raise awareness regarding the illegal immigration issue. They admit that if they were living in Mexico and earning the working wage there, they, too, would try to come to the United States in search of a better future. But, Alton said, the matter has gotten out of control and the government needs to take action.

“We are not racists and we don’t dislike Mexicans,” Alton said.

Garza agreed, and pointed out he is actually an American of Hispanic descent.

Herald/Review reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.