Posted on 12/14/2007 4:49:33 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
Agents' Defense Tactics Causing Controversy
SAN YSIDRO -- The Border Patrol released photos Friday of attacks on agents that they say have led to the use of pepper spray and tear gas in Mexican border neighborhoods.
Officials said that escalating violence at the U.S.-Mexico border is forcing agents to take new measures, and the new tactics are creating controversy.
Since October 1, there have been 90 assaults against Border Patrol agents in the San Diego area, according to officials. The violence is most common just east of the San Ysidro port of entry along a 2-mile stretch of border, in an area called Colonia Libertad.
"It is a scary situation," said Damon Foreman of the Border Patrol. "It's an area that has a tradition and a history for being a smuggling type of neighborhood."
The area is one of most densely populated neighborhoods pushing up against the border. Several U.S. Border Patrol agents have reported rock-throwing incidents in the area.
"The windshields are being busted. They're going through the windshield and actually hitting our agents and actually harming them," Foreman said.
In response, the Border Patrol called in special response teams equipped to shoot pepper spray across the border, but human rights activists say the suspected smugglers and rock throwers aren't the only ones being targeted.
"We're getting reports from residents in Tijuana that canisters are being fired by border patrol agents into folks homes in Tijuana," said Christian Ramirez of the American Friends Service Committee.
Agents admit they cannot direct the pepper spray with 100 percent accuracy. In the end, immigrant rights activists say this may just be a symptom of a much bigger problem.
"Border Patrol agents shouldn't be placed in danger. Residents in Tijuana shouldn't have canisters sent into their homes. I think if we were to have a sensible immigration policy that many of these things could be avoided," Ramirez said.
The Mexican Consulate said the Mexican government is aware there is a problem and has met with the Border Patrol to find a way to resolve these issues.
Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
The problem is that 60 someodd percent of mexicans believe they have a right to enter our country any time they want.
Gee,, I wonder what Huckabee thinks about this. There seems to be no end on all the rest of the stuff he says of late getting posted here. ;-)
These are obviously our brethren and we must embrace them, right?
Yeah, I'd say. The much bigger problem is if the illegals would stay home this wouldn't be happening, so who is to blame for this problem.
As a reminder - the status quo is just fine:
1/ The Dimmocrats love immigrants because they vote for them and their “free” giveaways.
2/ The Pubbies love immigrants because they’re cheap labor.
3/ The illegal laborers love us; they have better working conditions and make more money than they ever could in Mexico.
4/ The welfare ‘crats love them - they’re job security.
5/ The Mexican politicos are a corrupt tribe of sleazeballs. (Ask anyone who has ever done business there.) They, like Castro, love to export their young workers, who, instead of demanding political change, send megabucks home from the USA. They have cut deals on this with Washington for decades.
Whoever gets in next will, like the Bushistas and their predecessors, cut a deal with the Mexican government for this all to continue.
I’ll believe change is happening when I see the two Border Patrol Agents released from prison. Until then, to my friends in the Border Patrol: CYA. Hide. Do what you need to protect your government job, and not a bit more...
I aint no greenie,but that just aint right fer wildlife...the answer is strict policy and full enforcement,militarize the border.
Cameras Capture Conflict Along Border ping
NBC Sandiego.com ^ | Dec. 14, 2007
check out article
Were you able to play the video? I get nuthin.
Thanks SCP
:)
Peper spray?? Tear gas???
A swift bullet is called for in these cases...
Yep. And they're ticked-off 'cause we're cutting into their income. There've been periodic cases of this stuff since the 50's.
....an organization funded in part by George Soros. Christian has a long history locally. As soon I see the name, I write off the story.
BTTT! Just saw the photos. Bloody. And outrageous. We are at War, folks.
The United States has a perfectly logical immigration policy. Fill out the paperwork and wait in line. Just like any other nation's policy.
The illegals attitude is "We don need no steenkin policy." And therein lies the difficulty.
We do have a sensible policy.
I AM a borderline Greenie when it comes to conservation and protecting wilderness but considering the damage the invaders do to the environment Id rather have the wall in a defined area than them trashing a vast area.
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