REGION: Local officials, activists react to commutation

Supporters of the two jailed agents say charges were 'outrageous,' opponents use same term to describe cut in sentence

By North County Times | Monday, January 19, 2009 5:07 PM PST

President George W. Bush on Monday commuted the prison sentences of two former U.S. Border Patrol agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer ignited fierce debate about illegal immigration. The thoughts of local officials and activists on the subject:

"I think the commuting of the sentence addresses the outrageous part of this case. These individuals were required by law to carry firearms, but got 10 years added to their sentence because they were carrying firearms. That was absurd. ... Now the challenge is to get them out of prison as soon as possible. We are trying to fast-track it."

U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach

"It is outrageous. Those two Border Patrol agents were charged with attempted murder. It (the commutation) sends a telling message of the legacy of the Bush administration for border communities and immigrants in this country. It is marked with injustice and zealous policies."

Christian Ramirez, San Diego-based national coordinator for American Friends Service Committee, a human rights organization

"This action represents an important step toward correcting this miscarriage of justice once and for all. While the commutation of their sentences is certainly good news, these agents deserve nothing less than a full and complete pardon.

"Convicting agents Ramos and Compean on the testimony of a known drug dealer is equivalent to prosecuting a U.S. Marine on the word of a convicted terrorist who tried to take American lives on the battlefield."

U.S. Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, R-El Cajon

"I am very disappointed that the president would choose to make this move on the day before he won't be subject to further criticism. This case was tried before a jury, and the jury made its decision. It undermines credibility of jury trials when the president chooses to change the outcome simply because of their status as Border Patrol agents."

Victor Torres, spokesman for El Grupo, North County-based umbrella group of local civil rights organizations

"Compean and Ramos represent the worst of law enforcement, using the badge to shoot someone in the back and then hide the evidence. The fact they were arrested and the crime was exposed is good. They are criminals and they are not above the law. Definitely, George W. Bush is the worst president this country has ever had and this is just a final act."

Enrique Morones, founder of faith-based groups Border Angels and Gente Unida

"It sends a very troubling message to an agency that does a notoriously poor job of screening, training and supervising its agents ... It may not be wholesale impunity, but it is near impunity for the two agents, and that invites repetition.

Claudia Smith, immigrant-rights activist

"It's kind of bittersweet. We are happy they are getting out in a couple of months. We were hoping for a pardon; it is what they deserved. But this is good news, and it's better than having them sit in prison for 10 more years for a crime that we believe did not occur."

Jeff Schwilk, Founder, San Diego Minutemen

"It's definitely good news, even though it's not the news we wanted. We would have preferred a full pardon. But it's better than nothing."

Chris Bauder, President, Local 1613, a chapter of the National Border Patrol Council. The local group represents about 1,800 agents in the San Diego region.

"The executive right of the president to determine whether the punishment was excessive for the crime must be respected. In this case, the length of sentence was based on use of firearms. Congress never intended for those who are required to carry firearms to get longer sentences for the use of those firearms. The President balanced that inconsistency ... with the commutation."

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista

NORTH COUNTY TIMES