As President Bush's last week in office comes to a close, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), joined his colleagues at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol to urge the President to commute the sentences of Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.
"I am here today because we are in the final days of President Bush's term, and there remains a wrong that can be righted. I talked to him personally recently to urge him to do so. The President can commute the sentences of Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean," said Royce.
Border Patrol Agents have a difficult and dangerous job, guarding U.S. borders. Giving these men such harsh sentences hurts morale and sends the wrong message to the men and women who are protecting our borders. This case is forcing Border Patrol agents and law enforcement in general to question everything they do, at the detriment of our safety.
These Border Patrol agents were convicted based on the testimony of a known drug dealer that has since been convicted for running drugs across the border. In fact, he was continuing to run drugs into the U.S. while serving as the government's star witness.
"It is incomprehensible to me that he was allowed to violate his immunity agreement, be granted a series of unlimited visas to roam free, and continue his drug smuggling in our country, while two border patrol agents were given excessive prison sentences," said Royce.
"This is a gross miscarriage of justice. After years of appeals by me and other Members of Congress and public outcry, it is time that common sense prevails," said Royce.
Note: In 2005, U.S. Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean pursued Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, a Mexican national suspected of drug smuggling, as he fled to Mexico. Davila's van contained 743 pounds of marijuana - a street value of $1 million. Ramos and Compean received excessive prison sentences for discharging their weapons during the attempted apprehension, while Davila not only received immunity but also continued to smuggle drugs into our country while testifying.
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