Thread: Patrol uniforms 'made in Mexico'

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040 ... -1166r.htm
New Border Patrol uniforms, ordered in the wake of the agency's transfer last year to the Department of Homeland Security, arrived this month and some agents are not very happy: The new uniforms were "Made in Mexico."
"I'm embarrassed, not only as a Border Patrol agent but as an American citizen, that our government has decided to outsource the production of these uniforms with no regard for the safety of the process or the security of our country," said Joseph N. Dassaro, president of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) Local 1613 in San Diego.

"What system is in place to ensure that these uniforms are not stolen en masse or sold outright in Mexico to be used by terrorists, alien smugglers or drug dealers who could cross unimpeded into the United States?" asked Mr. Dassaro, a veteran agent.
More than $30 million in new uniforms have been ordered for the Border Patrol by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a new agency within Homeland Security that now oversees the border force. Homeland Security was created in March 2003 after the September 11 terrorist attacks on America.
"It's certainly not uncommon for cargo to be hijacked in Mexico, particularly in the many staging areas along the border, and the potential theft of these uniforms by the truckloads could become a major problem," Mr. Dassaro said.
Patricia Todaro, CBP's director of logistics, said the agency purchases new uniforms, along with jackets, shoes, hats and other equipment, from those suppliers from whom the government can obtain the best possible value for the taxpayer's dollar.
"Our contracts allow us to seek out the best value for the government and that means we use vendors who might not be located in the United States," Mrs. Todaro said. "In the end, we end up getting the best price and the best value."
But T.J. Bonner, president of the NBPC, which represents all 11,000 nonsupervisory Border Patrol agents nationwide, noted that in addition to many unanswered questions concerning security issues regarding the Mexican-produced uniforms, there are concerns by field agents on why the cost of the new uniforms are rising if the government is saving money.
Mr. Bonner, in Washington today to testify before the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, noted that a $500-a-year uniform allowance paid to the field agents has not been increased while the cost of their basic gear, including $27 shirts and $32 trousers, has gone up as much as 10 percent.
"They say they're saving money," Mr. Bonner said. "If they are, none of those savings are being passed on to us. I think this is just the wrong thing to do; it's the wrong message to send."
The new uniforms were supplied through a contract with VF Solutions of Nashville, Tenn., which agreed to produce 30,000 shirts and pants for CBP agents and inspectors for the 2003-04 fiscal year that began Oct. 1. But the contract allows the company to subcontract its work to other facilities in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Dominican Republic.
Officials at VF Solutions did not return calls yesterday for comment. The firm is a part of VF Corp., the world's largest apparel company with 60,000 employees in 22 countries.
Mr. Bonner and Mr. Dassaro, based on complaints from field agents, said there also appeared to be quality concerns in the new Mexican-made uniforms, particularly shirts that are less durable and orders that often are undersized and have to be returned.
The Border Patrol, before the merger with Homeland Security, used to get shirts under a Justice Department contract with Fechheimer Bros. Co. in Cincinnati, the largest manufacturer of public-safety uniforms in the United States. The Border Patrol wore the company's Flying Cross brand deluxe tropical shirts for many years.
Fechheimer still supplies other federal agencies with made-in-the-U.S.A. shirts — some through VF Solutions.
"We could have been supplied with quality shirts and trousers, even through VF," said Mr. Bonner. "Instead, they sent tax dollars to Mexico in an effort to realize more corporate profits at the expense of the agents."
The Border Patrol has worn dark-green uniforms since the agency was created in 1924 and vigorously fought with Homeland Security officials to keep them when other uniforms were being suggested

Isn't this just the stupidest thing? You'd think they'd atleast provide American made uniforms. All for the buck......makes me ill.

nothing surprises me any more

Little by little we are losing all our products and manufacturing. I remember when we had ship building, rubber, steel, lumber, textile and more....we may have some of these but on a much smaller level.Soon all America will be known for are sports teams and entertainment.....and who can afford to attend those......

I don't know what the house members listed below ever did about this. Does anyone know?


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,176821,00.html

U.S. Border Patrol: 'Made in Mexico' Uniforms Unfitting for Agents

Sunday , November 27, 2005

WASHINGTON — The labels inside the U.S. Border Patrol uniforms have been making many federal agents feel uneasy. It's not the fit or feel of the olive-green shirts and pants, but what their labels read: "Made in Mexico."

"It's embarrassing to be protecting the U.S.-Mexico border and be wearing a uniform made in Mexico," says T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council, a 6,500-member union.

Agents and lawmakers are concerned about the consequences if the uniforms for agents charged with combating illegal immigration fall into the hands of criminals or terrorists.

"If we're manufacturing uniforms in Mexico, what's to stop someone from walking across the border in a Border Patrol uniform?" asked Rep. John Carter, a Republican from Round Rock. "How do you know who are our guys and who are their guys?"

For more than a year, the shirts and pants worn by agents and inspectors with U.S. Customs and Border Protection have been made in Mexico. The uniforms are supplied by VF Solutions of Nashville, Tenn., which subcontracts its work to plants in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Dominican Republican.

"The principle of it seems almost like an oxymoron," said James Stack, the National Border Patrol Council's vice president for the region that includes Texas and New Mexico. "Most agents don't like it."

Customs officials say they haven't detected any security breaches or misuse of the uniforms. Strict security measures are in place, including on-site inspections at the Mexican plant. U.S. officials conducted a review in August, a statement from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection released Wednesday said.

"Based on this review, a report will be submitted to the CBP commissioner for determination on the made-in-Mexico issue, and no decisions have been made at this point," the statement said.

House members are expected to consider new immigration and border security measures after the Thanksgiving congressional break. Carter and Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz. say they plan to press a measure that would require the uniforms be made in the United States. Renzi said he wants Republican House leaders to include the requirement as part of an immigration enforcement measure expected to be introduced in early December.

What holds the most concern for me is the security implications behind this. I find it amazing that a critical element of our border support infrastructure has been outsourced to Mexico at the same time our traitor in chief is doing whatever he can to eliminate our borders. If foreign nationals get hold of a shipment bound for the US...all bets are off. And strict security measures are implemented in Mexican factories? In a country where everyone including the narco-empire, mexican mafia supported president is bought and paid for....I think not. Bush publicly displays his displeasure and discredits any one that tries to enforce security on our borders. I think this is yet another conspiracy between Vincente Bush and Vincente Fox to further reduce the ability of border patrol to do the job leading to the eventual and complete breakdown of our borders. Impeach this traitor in chief who shamefully occupies the treason house now!

Impeach this traitor in chief who shamefully occupies the treason house now!

Absolutly!

since the border patrol is telling Mexico where the minutemen are...I hope those uniforms are made of wool, and itch like hell.