Congressman John Culberson and 21 of his House colleagues sent a letter to President Bush today requesting that he immediately commute the sentences of Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. These agents are serving time in prison for wounding a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across the Mexican border.

“These agents were unjustly prosecuted for doing their job. It is unacceptable that a federal prosecutor would take the word of a known drug smuggler over the testimony of two officers protecting our country.

“This case has created a chilling affect along the border and law enforcement personnel tell me they are now hesitant to draw their weapons. It is undoubtedly harming national security at a time when terrorists are attempting to enter and target the United States.

“Since President Bush recently commuted the sentence of Scooter Libby because it was too harsh, he should do the same for Ramos and Compean. We will not rest until they are returned home to their families.”

On July 2, President Bush commuted the sentence of Scooter Libby because he “was a first-time offender with years of exceptional service and was handed a harsh sentence based in part on allegations never presented to the jury.” Key facts in Agents Ramos and Compean’s case were also never presented to the jury before they were sentenced to 11 and 12 years in prison. Ignacio Ramos was once nominated as Border Patrol Agent of the year.

The letter was signed by John Culberson (TX-07), Dana Rohrbacher (CA-46), Ted Poe (TX-02), Brian Bilbray (CA-50), Virgil Goode (VA-05), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Kenny Marchant (TX-24), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Walter Jones (NC-03), Michael Conaway (TX-11), Kay Granger (TX-12), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Wally Herger (CA-02), Mary Fallin (OK-05), John Carter (TX-31), Pete Sessions (TX-32), Ed Royce (CA-40), Cliff Stearns (FL-06), Ralph Hall (TX-04), Michael Burgess (TX-26), and Mike Rogers (MI-08).