March 26, 2009

Violence against Border Patrol continues

By Jim Kouri

A Border Patrol agent patrolling the US-Mexican border in San Ysidro was brutally attacked by a group of four male assailants illegally entering the U.S. As the agent responded to the suspected illegal aliens, they ran towards Mexico to elude apprehension.

The agent was able to approach one of the suspects, while the other three returned to Mexico. The encounter between the agent and the suspect instantly became confrontational as the suspect struck the agent in the face with a closed fist.

While the agent attempted to gain control of the combative assailant, the three suspects in Mexico began throwing rocks at the agent. Two additional agents soon arrived to the scene and successfully took the suspect into custody while retreating to a safe distance from the assailants in Mexico. Both the agent and the assailant did not sustain any significant injuries during this incident.

The 30-year-old assailant in custody is currently facing charges for assaulting a federal agent and reentering the U.S. as a prior deportee.

The attack took place on the border near Virginia Avenue, where the Tijuana River crosses into the U.S. from Mexico. Due to the lack of pedestrian barriers at the border in the Tijuana River, the area is frequented by smugglers and drug users, leading to numerous violent attacks against agents.

From October 1, 2008 to February 28, 2009, 80 assaults against Border Patrol agents have been reported in San Diego Sector. In fiscal year 2008, 190 assaults took place year-to-date and agents experienced a record total of 377 assaults.

"As [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi encourages continued massive illegal immigration with her irresponsible comments, we continue to put our lives on the line to protect this country from being overrun by 'very, very patriotic' illegal aliens, who far too often shoot at us and assault us with large rocks, bricks, and vehicles," wrote officials from the National Border Patrol Council, Local 2544.

"We take our oath to this country seriously. Pelosi has routinely exposed herself as an open borders radical who will sell the fine men and women of ICE and the Border Patrol down the river for political gain. She is an embarrassment and a disgrace who is completely out of touch with reality."

Although the number of assaults against Border Patrol agents have declined during the first five months of fiscal year 2009, violence continues to remain an ever-present threat to the men and women who protect our borders on a daily basis.

© Jim Kouri



http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/kouri/090326