Replies

I know you all are doing a tough job, I hope recent events put the kybash on amnesty. It also must be disheartening when a very small percent of agents go down the wrong road. IMO crime and corruption will only increase in every aspect of America when it is further influenced by a growing Hispanic culture where it is part and parcel. That is a road I don't want to see America go down.
......
Message from the Acting Commissioner to all CBP Employees: Combatting
Corruption

March 10, 2006

Some disturbing events happened yesterday that I want to share with you.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer in Brownsville,
Texas, was arrested following an investigation into allegations that he
accepted bribes to allow illegal drugs to pass through an international
bridge in the Brownsville area. In addition, two Supervisory Border
Patrol Agents in El Centro, California, were indicted on charges
including conspiracy to smuggle undocumented aliens into the country in
exchange for bribes.
(http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060309-1237-bn09border.html)
Less than two weeks ago, a former Border Patrol Agent in Laredo, Texas,
was sentenced to twenty years in prison and ordered to forfeit $1.5
million in drug proceeds pursuant to his arrest and conviction on
federal corruption charges. Specifically, the former agent was convicted
of utilizing his position to allow illegal drugs to be smuggled through
a checkpoint in Hebbronville, Texas.

I know these corrupt acts disturb you just as much as they disturb me.
Corruption, or the abuse of public office for private gain, is not a new
phenomenon in law enforcement agencies. However, in the post 9/11
environment, the consequences of corruption have never been greater. A
single corrupt act on the part of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) employee could threaten our national security.

Earlier this month, we took a moment to recognize the third anniversary
of the formation of CBP and celebrated a long list of significant
accomplishments for which we as public servants can all be proud.
Unfortunately, we must also realize that in organizations as large and
as diverse as CBP, a small fraction of the workforce will always be
susceptible to corruption. The additional examples of criminal
misconduct by CBP employees detailed below offer a clear reminder of the
personal and professional costs associated with integrity failures.
Like you and I, these employees took an oath to faithfully discharge the
duties of their position. They too carried a badge signifying they were
worthy of the public's trust. Ultimately, they proved unworthy of this
trust. Their actions tarnish our honor and the tradition of excellence
we work so diligently to preserve. These examples should be a "wake-up
call" to all of us:

* A former supervisor in Newark, New Jersey, was sentenced in January
to more than 24 years in federal prison for helping to smuggle thousands
of kilos of cocaine through Newark's seaport and airport;

* A former employee in El Centro, California, was sentenced this past
December to five years in federal prison for attempting to smuggle
nearly 750 pounds of marijuana across the border in his government
vehicle;

* A former employee in El Cajon, California, pleaded guilty last month
to conspiring to smuggle at least 100 aliens into the country during his
employment and making a false claim to U.S. citizenship; and

* A former employee in Sonoita, Arizona, was recently arraigned on
charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession
of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Examples such as these can neither be ignored nor dismissed as "other
people's problems." Rather, we must do everything in our power to deter
and detect corruption within our own ranks. As the guardians of our
Nation's borders, and we cannot afford a weak link - we are America's
frontline. Not only must we uphold our individual integrity, we must
also be alert to the behavior and actions of those around us.

In carrying out our mission, CBP's greatest achievements can be traced
back to the training, judgment and professionalism of our employees.
Those same attributes must be utilized in our effort to combat
corruption. The message is simple:

* Be accountable for your own actions;

* Be cognizant of your surroundings and the actions of those around
you; and

* Report suspicious behavior, including attempted bribes, to
appropriate authorities (1-877-2INTAKE or joint.intake@dhs.gov).

To ensure that this subject remains at the forefront of our collective
awareness, we will continue to share the consequences of corruption with
you through regular communications. We will also highlight employees
whose actions or decisions epitomize integrity - because we know that
for every employee who betrays the trust, there are countless others who
exemplify it every day.

During my visits to CBP locations nationwide and in reading the numerous
letters that cross my desk, many of you voice interest in helping to
shape this organization and your respective workplaces. This is an
opportunity for everyone to do just that. Idle words are not enough -
it's time for action. Be vigilant and do your part to combat corruption.

Deborah J. Spero
Acting Commissioner