JONES URGES PRESIDENT TO INITIATE REVIEW OF CASE AGAINST U.S. BORDER PATROL AGENTS


Washington, D.C. – In a letter today to President George W. Bush, Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) expressed deep concern over the Justice Department’s unacceptable prosecution of two U.S. Border Patrol agents for simply doing their jobs to protect our homeland.

“Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean should have been commended by our government for their actions last year in attempting to apprehend a Mexican drug smuggler who brought nearly 800 pounds of marijuana across our border,” Jones wrote. “But because of an incomprehensible prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office – including granting full immunity to the smuggler so he could testify against our agents – these men now face 20-year prison sentences for firing shots at the fleeing smuggler, who they believed carried a gun. The smuggler – who received complete medical care at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas – is now suing the Border Patrol for $5 million for violating his civil rights!”

“The Justice Department’s outrageous prosecution does nothing but tie the hands of our Border Patrol and prevent them from securing America against a flood of illegal immigrants, drugs, counterfeit goods and quite possibly, terrorists,” Jones continued. “This demoralizing prosecution puts the rights of illegal alien drug smugglers ahead of our homeland security and undermines the critical mission of better enforcing current immigration laws. These two agents should not be made scapegoats for our government’s enforcement failures.”

“I am pleased that the House Judiciary Committee has recognized the need for a thorough review of this case by calling for Congressional hearings and an investigation of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Jones wrote. “In the meantime, I strongly urge your Administration and the Department of Justice to reopen the case against agents Ramos and Compean.”

“Mr. President, please assure the American people that those who commit crimes in our country will not be protected by the federal government,” Jones concluded.

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.