Thread: Border agents feel open to danger

http://dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3397890

Border agents feel open to danger
"They could very well be sitting targets"
By Sara A. Carter and Kenneth Todd Ruiz, Staff Writers

Border Patrol agents say they are out-gunned, understaffed and ill-equipped to protect themselves and the nation from the dangerous threats at the border.

Although Congress allocated $7.1 billion to secure the border in the next fiscal year, some agents contend the government has tied their hands and left them unable to do their jobs.

"Obviously, securing our borders should be the Congress' and administration's top priority, but unfortunately the bidding of big business outweighs the safety of our agents and the American people," said T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council, a union representing agents.

During any given time, only 3,000 border agents patrol the nearly 8,000 miles of coast and borders of the United States, Bonner said.

Increased threats from former Mexican military working for smugglers, drug cartels and gangs have left agents feeling like "sitting ducks," said an agent speaking on condition of anonymity.

On Monday, a confidential Department of Homeland Security memo obtained by the Daily Bulletin stated that Mexican smugglers plan on hiring members of the international Mara Salvatrucha street gang, also known as MS-13, to assassinate border agents.

The Dec. 21 memo, which many agents were unaware of until its publication, reiterates the dangers facing agents in the line of duty, the anonymous agent said.

Download : Homeland Security: OFFICER SAFETY ALERT (668kb .pdf)

"We have too few agents out there," Bonner said. "Most times agents patrol on their own."

Many agents are still wearing body armor that needs to be replaced. Millions of dollars worth of Zylon vests were purchased for agents, but they have only lasted six months because they deteriorate when exposed to moisture, Bonner said.

Agents say their vehicles are in deplorable condition and frequently are out of service. Many times patrol vehicles are unable to keep up with more powerful, newer vehicles used by smugglers.

Since 2000, there have been numerous incidents of violence against agents along the border. Many of these, law enforcement officials said, have been perpetrated by ex-Mexican military.

Agents were fired upon near Nogales, Ariz., by what they believe to be former Mexican soldiers across the border. Two agents were wounded but both survived.


ONLINE EXTRA: Official Homeland Security memo download inside article
Last year, after several confrontations with both former and current Mexican military on the border south of Tucson, the Border Patrol issued agents a card detailing what to do when they meet up with Mexican military on the American side.

The "Military Incursion" card states: "Mexican military are trained to escape, evade, and counter-ambush if it will effect their escape." The card suggests agents should hide from Mexican military who may be operating in the area.

Nogales Sheriff Tony Estrada said Border Patrol agents at his section of the border are vulnerable.

"There is very little protection, they could very well be sitting targets," he said. "You never know who is just out there, just waiting. The potential for violence is very strong."

Estrada warned that drug runners are moving away from a long-standing "respect" for law enforcement.

"Unfortunately, I think we're looking at different times; more violent times," he said.

There is not a significant MS-13 presence at his section of the border, Estrada said, but it is believed former and current soldiers from the Mexican military are joining forces with the drug smugglers. These include former law enforcement agents once trained to protect the border.

Although Estrada expects law enforcement in the United States to handle any threat, he admits their situation is dangerous.

"Nothing protects us," he said. "Sometimes a barbed wire fence and sometimes nothing. They can be on an incursion over here, and they're back in their territory in minutes."

Since last April, civilian border watch groups have been patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border in an effort to back up agents they say are understaffed.

Andy Ramirez, chairman of Chino-based Friends of the Border Patrol, blames Mexican President Vicente Fox for the violent drug cartels.

"He is the biggest narcotic dealer by letting his military become the largest drug (smugglers) in the Western Hemisphere," Ramirez said. "Why not tell people what it really is: President Bush's friend is becoming the largest drug smuggler."

This is deplorable. Do you think Alberto Gonzales is "worried" about "them" ?

HOW can our country be this ill prepared to protect those who are trying to protect US ?

Several months back I had read an article by an anonymous BP stating that their vehicles had so many miles on them they were all but worn out. They were not even kept in good repair.

Can you imagine a chase across the desert...yourself the BP...trying to escape or elude drug smugglers who have better vehicles, are better armed and better supported than you are? Why would ANYONE do that?

Can you imagine that we, the people, have allowed our representatives in Washington to bring us to such a pass?

Can you imagine that millions of American citizens do not even KNOW of the condition of the men and material that are expected to protect us?

When I first read that article I wrote the most scathing letter to my Senators...Hutchison and Cornyn...I recieved NO reply.

Do we have to MARCH on Washington--or threaten to--to get something DONE???

A furious,

RR