Posted on 11/16/2007 5:40:39 PM PST by WalterSkinner
You can see by the date Hunter has been on this before
the me too’s
February 21, 2007
PARDON THE BORDER PATROLMEN
BY CONGRESSMAN DUNCAN HUNTER
Enforcing America’s borders is an inherently dangerous responsibility that is critical to the security of our country and the safety of our communities. Despite the fact that many illegal immigrants come here with no criminal intent, others who cross our borders are dangerous criminals smuggling humans, drugs and other illegal contraband. Facing them, the men and women of our nation’s Border Patrol risk their lives daily.
In return for accepting this responsibility and performing their duties as law enforcement officials, Border Patrol agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos are now serving 11 and 12 years in federal prison. This is a severe injustice that we must act to remedy quickly because the lives of these men are in danger, as illustrated by the recent assault against agent Ramos by criminal inmates.
The U.S. government prosecuted agents Compean and Ramos for wounding a drug smuggler on the U.S.-Mexico border. Interestingly, the testimony that ultimately led to their conviction was provided by the wounded drug smuggler himself, who was brought back from Mexico, granted immunity and provided free medical treatment for his cooperation.
The conviction of Ramos and Compean represents a compelling case for a presidential pardon for one reason: prison sentences of 11 and 12 years are not justified by any version of the facts. The drug smuggler contends that, upon being stopped with his 700 pound cargo of marijuana, he was escaping to Mexico and presented no threat to the agents. Thus, the nine millimeter slug in his rear-end represents an unjustified assault. The agents claimed they had a reasonable apprehension and that he was armed, thereby justifying the wounding.
The point is this: the U.S. government has given a punishment to Ramos and Compean that exceeds the average penalty for murder. By all accounts, the drug smuggler was alive and kicking the next day, not even stopping to collect workers’ compensation before his next attempted delivery of illegal drugs.
Imprisoning Compean and Ramos for their efforts to enforce our nation’s illegal immigration laws is troubling. But giving them the equivalent of murder sentences, for wounding a fleeing drug smuggler, constitutes a severe injustice that a presidential pardon can correct.
After a failed request by Congress to keep Compean and Ramos free on bail pending their appeal, the two former lawmen surrendered themselves to federal custody on January 17, 2007. That very same day, I contacted the Bureau of Prisons and personally requested they be segregated from the general prison population to ensure their personal safety. Given that 27% of federal inmates are non-U.S. citizens, the threat to agents Compean and Ramos was both real and imminent.
Despite assurances from Bureau of Prisons staff that significant attention was being paid to their personal safety, agent Ramos was later assaulted by inmates while assimilating with the general prison population. As he was being punched and kicked, agent Ramos could hear his attackers repeating “la migra,” a term to describe U.S. government officials that enforce immigration laws.
The apparent disregard for Ramos’ personal safety demonstrates complete ineptitude on the part of the Prison’s Bureau and further underscores the growing list of problems associated with the prosecution of these agents, the way they have been treated and the constant threat they now face as federal inmates.
Members of Congress have directly called on President Bush to pardon Compean and Ramos. So far, he has declined. As the President reconsiders his refusal to issue a pardon as he openly stated he would, I have introduced H.R. 563, the Congressional Pardon for Agents Compean and Ramos Act. This legislation, which has been cosponsored by 85 of my House colleagues, initiates a pardon for Compean and Ramos through the legislative process.
Our nation’s law enforcement officials are not above the laws they are empowered to enforce. But they must also be assured that the necessary and appropriate use of force will not result in the equivalent of a murder sentence.
Pardoning agents Compean and Ramos will correct a terrible injustice and restore the confidence our Border Patrol must have in the people — and the government — they work tirelessly to protect. Equally important, it will demonstrate to the American people that we are serious about enforcing our nation’s immigration laws.
This is an official Web site of the United States House of Representatives
Laura was saying on the show how Duncan Hunter really knows all of the facts in this case.
Thank you.
Signed.
Exactly, If people would go to Hunter’s congressional site and see all he has done re. the border , and the problems with illegals for years, and years along with military and national security.
Last week Laura said on her radio program, Hunter rocks.
I love that picture. These men and women in uniform can know that Duncan Hunter’s heart and mind are with them. He honorably served in the military, he has done everything in his power as a Congressman to support them, his own son serves among them, and he is clear about and committed to their mission. I can’t say that I would be comfortable with most of the other candidates taking Hunter’s place in this photo.
Go DUNCAN HUNTER....he is a stalwart for justice for the BP’s...Dana’s aide (Tara Setmayer) was terrific! She had all the facts and loved the way she hit on Skinner as complicit!
Neither is happening. So, it is safe for politicians to be on the side of Truth Justice, and the American Way. Which, unfortunately, have nothing to do with this.
The appeal will be heard in 3 weeks.
They have a strong argument—let’s hope it is enough.
As to politicians, there are a few good ones out there.
I believe Hunter’s stand for what is right is sincere,
as is that of Dana Rohrabacher, Ted Poe, et al.
..I beg your pardon
Could DH, who is an attorney, file an amicus brief in the appeal hearing?
Are there any lawyers or paralegals around here who could help me out on this?
Plus they both share the same disdain for border enforcement.
I would like to know more about the private lives of Skinner and Sutton. Are they living above their income? Any relatives involved in the drug trade? Anything that gives a clue they might be bribed or blackmailed? Or maybe they just are sadistic sociopaths.
Tara did a great job.
I'm not a lawyer, but...
I believe he could, but I think his working the pardon angle has been a better use of his time. He has objected to issues other than legal ones, for the most part.
Another group has covered the legal issues pretty well--it's probably best to not muddy the water with peripheral issues (IMO). Here is a cut and paste from the amicus brief filed on May 24, 2007. That's a pretty good line-up and the arguments are even better. :-)
BRIEF AMICUS CURIAE OF
CONGRESSMAN WALTER B. JONES,
CONGRESSMAN VIRGIL H. GOODE, JR.,
CONGRESSMAN TED POE,
GUN OWNERS FOUNDATION,
U.S. BORDER CONTROL FOUNDATION,
U.S. BORDER CONTROL, AND
CONSERVATIVE LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND
IN SUPPORT OF APPELLANTS
I was thinking that having high-profile individuals (like congressmen)filing "friend of the court" briefs couldn't hurt and might help.
My question is answered...
I love Duncan Hunter and his diligence in getting freedom for Ramos and Compean. I truely hope that if Hunter does not gain in the polls and win the nomination that he is chosen for VP or to head up the department of homeland security in the next administration. Then he would be in line with great recognition to become President in 2016. I believe he and Fred are the best! If they were even in the polls I would be going nuts trying to choose between them!
I think Ted Poe, being a prosecutor and highly respected judge, is as good as it gets.
He can talk all sides of it—and does.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7ex1uoOHNI
More good stuff over here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1927609/posts?page=1
Pressure mounts to pardon Border agents
Posted on 11/18/2007 2:24:12 PM PST by dit_xi
Pissant has been given an involuntary vacation from FR.
Thanks for the ping!
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