Johnson urges Bush to pardon border agents; Calls for resignation of Inspector General
Washington,
Feb 7, 2007 -
Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson
(3rd Dist.-Texas) called on President George W. Bush to immediately pardon
Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, two border security agents
in jail “for doing their jobs.” Johnson also called for the resignation of the
Department of Homeland Security Inspector General because his two top aides lied
to Members of Congress, perhaps dramatically changing the outcome of the
case.
“We’ve got two border security
agents sitting in jail because they were unjustly prosecuted for doing their
jobs. President Bush should pardon these agents and the Inspector General
should step down immediately,” said Johnson, a co-sponsor of legislation calling
for the immediate pardon of the border agents.
Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos
and Jose Compean are serving 11 and 12 year prison terms, respectively. The
agents were charged with shooting a fleeing illegal drug smuggler during an
altercation after 740 pounds (over $1 million street value) of marijuana was
discovered in his van near the border. The drug-smuggling illegal immigrant
was given immunity to testify against the agents.
Yesterday, Department of Homeland
Security Inspector General Richard Skinner testified before a House Homeland
Security panel that his two top deputies lied in earlier testimony to Members of
Congress.
This news comes on the heels of the
revelation that one of the border agents, Ignacio Ramos, was beaten while in
prison after fellow inmates saw a story about the agent on America’s Most
Wanted.
“When are we going to start
protecting our borders and stop prosecuting our border agents,” said
Johnson.
“Border patrol agents are our first
line of defense against illegal immigrants. It’s imperative that our agents
know that they can do their jobs without being thrown in jail for it – or worse
– thrown under the bus by top government officials,” continued
Johnson.
“The Inspector General should resign
immediately! These border agents deserve a fair case when they don’t have
high-ranking government officials stacking the deck against them,” concluded
Johnson.
A member of the Immigration Reform
Caucus, Johnson represents portions of Dallas and
Collin
Counties.
