Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Chertoff plays down border incursion reports [January 18, 2006]
News Clip from Daily Bulletin ^ | 01-18-06 | Mason Stockstill

Posted on 04/19/2006 2:28:03 PM PDT by robowombat

Chertoff plays down border incursion reports By Mason Stockstill, Staff Writer

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Wednesday played down reports outlining hundreds of border incursions by the Mexican military over the last 10 years. Chertoff, speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., acknowledged that the Border Patrol has long known of crossings by uniformed troops, which some agents in border states say shows a level of collusion between Mexican military officers and drug-smuggling cartels.

But he suggested that many of the incursions could have been innocent mistakes -- such as authorities in Mexico crossing into the United States in desert areas where the actual dividing line between the countries is unclear -- or criminals wearing camouflage outfits being confused with actual soldiers.

"I think the stories are overblown," Chertoff said. "I asked the chief of the Border Patrol about it. The number has not increased; in fact, it had decreased a little bit."

The Daily Bulletin first reported on Sunday that the Border Patrol has tracked 216 such incursions by Mexican military or police forces since 1996. The highest total was in 2002, when 40 such crossings were recorded; in 2005, the number was nine.

Chertoff largely confirmed those numbers, saying incursions had averaged "approximately 20 a year" over the last 10 years. He also said that reports of corruption among Mexican troops were true.

"We do have instances where we have Mexican police or military who have deserted and become involved with criminal activity," Chertoff said. "But we've also had bad cops in the United States, too. It happens."

He said the United States and Mexico have a collaborative relationship, and called the idea that incursions were a serious problem "scare tactics."

Rafael Laveaga, a spokesman for the Mexican consulate, has denied that any incursions by Mexican military have taken place.

T.J. Bonner, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, dismissed Chertoff's comments as uninformed.

"Were he to go out there on actual patrol with Border Patrol agents ... and experience what we experience -- where you encounter a group of highly trained, very well-armed Mexican soldiers coming across our border, and your closest backup is an hour or more away -- I think he would be a lot more concerned about it," he said.

Bonner rejected the idea that the incursions might be innocent mistakes, noting that the number of times the U.S. Border Patrol has accidentally crossed into Mexico is far lower.

He also blasted Chertoff for belittling the number of incidents.

"For him to say this is only a few hundred -- come on," Bonner said. "One is far too many."


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: aliens; border; bordersecurity; bushsfault; chertoff; dhs; headinsand; ramosandcompean; saraacarter
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-55 next last
"I think the stories are overblown," Chertoff said. "I asked the chief of the Border Patrol about it. The number has not increased; in fact, it had decreased a little bit."
1 posted on 04/19/2006 2:28:05 PM PDT by robowombat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: robowombat

Chertoff is the new Iraqi minister of information...


2 posted on 04/19/2006 2:30:12 PM PDT by Rakkasan1 (they love you in Mexico until you pay in pesos.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: robowombat

Oh sure, I can see it now. "Oh, senior' was that the Rio Grande? I'm so sorry. It won't happen again."


3 posted on 04/19/2006 2:31:13 PM PDT by Tuscaloosa Goldfinch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: robowombat
T.J. Bonner, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, dismissed Chertoff's comments as uninformed.

Chertoff was clueless as to his role post-Katrina, and he's clueless when it comes to the border. Bush should replace him with a former military type who knows how to act - the only military role Chertoff seems to emulate is Sgt. Schultz.

4 posted on 04/19/2006 2:31:58 PM PDT by dirtboy (Illegal is to immigration is as methyl is to alcohol - both make a good thing toxic.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dirtboy
From the same newspaper on the same day.

"Police face Mexican military, smugglers Armed standoff along U.S. border By Sara A. Carter and Kenneth Todd Ruiz, Staff Writers
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Mexican soldiers and civilian smugglers had an armed standoff with nearly 30 U.S. law enforcement officials on the Rio Grande in Texas Monday afternoon, according to Texas police and the FBI."
5 posted on 04/19/2006 2:32:51 PM PDT by robowombat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: robowombat

""I think the stories are overblown," Chertoff said."


The man is not dealing with the real world. He needs to be retired and replaced by someone who is going to take on the Mexican military when they cross the border.


6 posted on 04/19/2006 2:33:13 PM PDT by TexanToTheCore (Rock the pews, Baby)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dirtboy
I don't think there was any error on the Pres. part in picking Chertoff for DHS. He is performing in exactly as is desired.
7 posted on 04/19/2006 2:34:03 PM PDT by robowombat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: robowombat
But he suggested that many of the incursions could have been innocent mistakes -- such as authorities in Mexico crossing into the United States in desert areas where the actual dividing line between the countries is unclear

Shows how well our border is secured. Cherthoff admits there are areas on the border that are unclear let alone protected. But, I could have told him that. Maybe he should get a clue and realize that this is not an excuse but one of the very reasons that some people are upset about Mexican military incursions in the first place.

8 posted on 04/19/2006 2:34:58 PM PDT by Spiff ("They start yelling, 'Murderer!' 'Traitor!' They call me by name." - Gael Murphy, Code Pink leader)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TexanToTheCore
He needs to be retired and replaced by someone who is going to take on the Mexican military when they cross the border.

Bush will never appoint anyone that wants the border secured.

9 posted on 04/19/2006 2:34:58 PM PDT by Marine Inspector (Government is not the solution to our problem; Government is the problem)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: robowombat
I don't think there was any error on the Pres. part in picking Chertoff for DHS. He is performing in exactly as is desired.

Chertoff was a hurried 2nd pick after Bernie Kerik went down in flames. And it shows.

10 posted on 04/19/2006 2:35:39 PM PDT by dirtboy (Illegal is to immigration is as methyl is to alcohol - both make a good thing toxic.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: robowombat
I don't think there was any error on the Pres. part in picking Chertoff for DHS. He is performing in exactly as is desired.

The man looks like he needs a few good meals......

Forest Gump's mama had it right.....

"stupid is as stupid does".....

Bush is the Gump president......he just happened to be in office on 9-11.

11 posted on 04/19/2006 2:37:05 PM PDT by CROSSHIGHWAYMAN (Toon Town, Iran...........where reality is the real fantasy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Marine Inspector
Bush will never appoint anyone that wants the border secured.

Must...not...succomb...to...buyer's...remorse. Must...resist....

Damn, couldn't do it.

12 posted on 04/19/2006 2:37:09 PM PDT by Spiff ("They start yelling, 'Murderer!' 'Traitor!' They call me by name." - Gael Murphy, Code Pink leader)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

Let Chertoff enjoy his last fifteen seconds. He will probably be the next one asked to turn in his resignation.


13 posted on 04/19/2006 2:37:09 PM PDT by ARCADIA (Abuse of power comes as no surprise)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1
This one reason they are washed up. This hack should go along with that press idiot ! It's scary to note that this dope is the head of a security dept. Come out west and listen to the men and women on the front. They tell a very different story. The Bushies will never understand that their view of one corporate nation will not happen. Their march to destroy the middle class must be stopped.
14 posted on 04/19/2006 2:37:11 PM PDT by fantom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Marine Inspector

Bingo. You said the magic words and the duck comes down and gives you fifty pesos.


15 posted on 04/19/2006 2:37:36 PM PDT by robowombat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: fantom
Actually Certoff and the Prez and those around him do know what is going on. As the bunnry rabbit that is a joke symbols says 'I know how you feel. I just don't care.' And they don't and the figure that money and muscle and political back scratching will prevail and you senior are just an impediment they can safely ignore. Have a nice day in a new third world country Mexifornicata.
16 posted on 04/19/2006 2:41:48 PM PDT by robowombat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

Baghdad Mike.


17 posted on 04/19/2006 2:41:59 PM PDT by Pelham ("Borders? We don' need no stinking borders!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ARCADIA
Let Chertoff enjoy his last fifteen seconds. He will probably be the next one asked to turn in his resignation.

Cherty, you're doing a helluva job!"

On its face, a Cherthoff resignation sounds like a good thing. In reality, if we follow the trend (Ridge, then Cherthoff) our next one will be even worse. Given Bush's track record, I wouldn't put it past him to quickly promote incompetent political appointee (is that nepotism I smell) Julie Myers to the position.

18 posted on 04/19/2006 2:42:43 PM PDT by Spiff ("They start yelling, 'Murderer!' 'Traitor!' They call me by name." - Gael Murphy, Code Pink leader)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: robowombat

The fish stinks from the head.


19 posted on 04/19/2006 2:42:47 PM PDT by Pelham ("Borders? We don' need no stinking borders!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: robowombat

I can't argue with you , we are there . I will say however the folks who think that this is not spreading are fooling themselves. Wait until they are introduced to the M13 from El Salvador. Well at least we can still get cheap lettuce.


20 posted on 04/19/2006 2:48:52 PM PDT by fantom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-55 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson