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U.S. BORDER PATROL
Local 2544
Tucson, Arizona

Toll Free (800) 581-2544
Fax (520) 293-6044

President Bush, Read Our Lips, NO AMNESTY!

Welcome. Local 2544 officers are all Border Patrol agents. We represent other Border Patrol agents and non-supervisory employees in the Tucson Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, covering most of the state of Arizona. We are the largest local in the Border Patrol.

Local 2544 is proudly affiliated with the Legal Defense Fund, and the law firm of Gattey Baranic LLP. These organizations support our members in administrative, legislative, civil, and criminal matters. Local 2544 was the first local in the nation to offer its members an Administrative Legal Plan utilizing attorneys to represent members in disciplinary actions, grievances and ULP charges. Our attorneys also assist in other types of representation not covered under the Legal Defense Fund plan.

We fully support legal immigration, but we stand firmly against illegal immigration. We strongly oppose any attempts to reward illegal alien lawbreakers. We have risked our lives to keep them out of this country. The slick politicians can call it "guest-worker" or "earned legalization" all they want, but it's amnesty. Some of these politicians have missed their true calling. They need to be working down at the County Fair selling tickets to innocent children to try and shoot a 14" basketball through a 12" hoop so they can win the big stuffed animal.

ATTENTION EMPLOYERS: PLEASE HIRE U.S. CITIZENS AND LEGAL IMMIGRANTS! SAY NO TO CHEAP ILLEGAL ALIEN LABOR. IT'S AGAINST THE LAW, IT'S UNETHICAL, AND IT'S BAD FOR THIS COUNTRY.

SAY NO TO AMNESTY. PRESIDENT BUSH AND MANY POLITICIANS ARE TRYING TO SELL LEGALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP TO 12 TO 15 MILLION LAWBREAKERS. DON'T BUY THEIR PROPAGANDA. IT'S NOT A "GUEST WORKER" PROGRAM, IT'S AN AMNESTY PROGRAM, IT'S COMPLETELY UNENFORCEABLE, AND IT'S DEAD WRONG. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEND THEM A MESSAGE.

THANK YOU FROM THE UNITED STATES BORDER PATROL AGENTS TRYING OUR BEST TO POLICE THE BORDER IN ARIZONA WHILE PRESIDENT BUSH, SENATOR McCAIN, "CONGRESSMAN" GRIJALVA AND OTHERS SELL US OUT EVERY DAY.

Next Meeting: August 9, 2006 @ 6 p.m.

Illegal Alien is a "Homegrown Terrorist"? - Maybe globalization has hit earlier than we thought. These two men (one resident alien and one illegal alien) are described by the Attorney General of the United States of America as "homegrown terrorists". Note to AG's office: Foreign citizens who are here both legally and illegally are not "homegrown". With the way the country has been overrun with illegal aliens it just seems that way. Read a story here. 06-23-06

DHS Management Reps Waste Money (shocking news) - Ever wonder why the Border Patrol is always broke? Ever wonder why our vehicles are in such bad shape? Ever wonder why our communications system is in such a sorry state? Ever wonder why we have 400 agents working out of a station built for 20 agents? Well, here's part of the answer. In the "new and improved" DHS the taxpayers now foot the bill for management "LER" representatives to fly clear across the country on a mini-vacation so they can attend an informal 10-minute "oral reply". That's correct. We had a 7-minute oral reply on June 21st at Sector Headquarters. Management had flown in an "LER" rep from Vermont, apparently for the sole purpose of attending this 7-minute informal meeting. Now, we know the Federal government is known for wasting huge amounts of money, but this ongoing sham is getting ridiculous. Taxpayers have to pay this lady's salary, per diem, lodging, rental car, and airfare to and from Vermont......for a 7-minute informal meeting. Add it all up and you quickly come to realize how much money they are wasting. This happens frequently. On another recent occasion DHS sent two (2) LER reps from Washington DC to Tucson for three days so they could attend a 10-minute oral reply. They said they like to personally "observe" the replies on occasion. Ridiculous? Absolutely. Why do the LER reps need to be at these meetings? Answer: THEY DON'T! It's an INFORMAL oral reply to a disciplinary proposal. There is already a transcription service and an Assistant Chief Patrol Agent in attendance at the meetings. In addition, at this last meeting there was another LER bigwig on the phone the whole time SECRETLY listening in from the east coast (we found out about her after the meeting was over). They send enough reps into these informal oral replies that one would think he was attending a felony criminal trial. Evidently the horde of agency attorneys they have in Tucson are incapable of watching over an oral reply. We realize that the LER folks enjoy lording over rank-and-file agents who are in trouble (it obviously makes them feel superior to watch agents squirm - we don't think it's a damn bit funny), but it's a complete crock. They can get on a speakerphone and listen in. They don't need to attend these meetings in person. They are not judges and they don't need to watch anybody's body language. They don't make any of the decisions, that's left to the Chief Patrol Agent. We often wonder how these people can look at themselves in the mirror. It is obvious, and has been for some time, that they are desperately trying to justify their existence. As usual, the rank-and-file agents get shafted and the management reps get pampered. Somebody needs to put a stop to this disgraceful waste of money. 06-22-06

Illegal Aliens Are Safe In Phoenix - Absent things like a "felony DUI" where ICE may be notified "when feasible" (that two-minute phone call can be tough), the Phoenix Police Department protects illegal aliens. With the amount of crime being caused in Phoenix by the illegal alien tidal wave, they can at least partially blame themselves. They are a sanctuary city. In a nutshell, their policy protects the illegal aliens up until the point that they commit a felony or get caught in a stash house. It's comparable to letting all DUI offenders go on the spot until they kill someone in an accident. Up until the point that they kill someone it's just a "victimless" crime anyway. Right? No harm, no foul. Very sound law enforcement strategy. Interestingly, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association representing rank-and-file officers supports protecting illegal aliens (the same Association whose president characterizes illegal aliens as innocent "dishwashers" that he doesn't have time to deal with). There are plenty of illegal aliens getting by us down here, so their wish to harbor and protect them is certainly paying off. More proof that sanctuary policies work. Good luck dealing with them Phoenix PD. More arriving daily.

"Officers will not stop persons for the sole purpose of determining immigration status.
Officers will not arrest a person when the only violation is an infraction of federal immigration law.
Officers will not contact ICE/Border Patrol for the sole purpose of interpreting.
Officers will not notify ICE/Border Patrol of undocumented persons under the following conditions:
When the contacted person is a victim and/or witness of a crime
When contacted during a family disturbance
The enforcement of minor traffic offenses
When the person(s) is/are seeking medical treatment

If an undocumented person is arrested, the decision to notify ICE will be based on the following criteria:
If the offense is a minor traffic violation, ICE will not be notified. (Felony DUI offenders will be turned over to ICE when feasible.)
If the offense is a misdemeanor and the person meets the cite-and-release criteria, an ATTC may be issued.
ICE will not be notified by the Phoenix Police Department if the person is released.
If the person will be released from police custody (not booked) pending further investigation, ICE will not be notified."

Bid-for-Shift Hearing - The hearing regarding management's unilateral abolishment of our bid-for-shift system will take place on June 29th. The bid-for-shift was working well and everybody was happy, so naturally, it had to be changed. The year-old mandatory shift rotation has been a huge success. It has succeeded in drastically lowering overall morale, increasing health risks to agents, and making family life even harder for the backbone of this organization, the men and women working the frontlines. Management is throwing everything they have at this hearing in an attempt at preventing the Union or the agents from having a voice in this matter. The bottom line is this, you will NOT live as long when you are routinely forced to rotate shifts. That is guaranteed. You're taking years off your life. Clinical studies have documented the ill effects of rotating shifts, including the increased danger to employees because they are tired all the time. The studies were presented to management long ago. They acknowledged the studies, admitted they were accurate, and basically said they didn't care. We will continue to fight this battle until we have exhausted every option available to us. In a worst-case scenario we can only hope that even if we lose this one at hearing, we will get a new regime in about a year who will work with us on this issue. We have given up trying to convince the current regime that they are hurting agents, hurting agents' families, and killing morale for absolutely no good reason. It's a lost cause until we get a favorable ruling from an arbitrator in 3 or 4 months, or a new regime in a year or so. This is one issue that David Aguilar got absolutely right when he was the CPA here. 06-21-06

Your Newest Jefe - Please welcome W. Ralph Basham, the Bush Administration's latest offering in the revolving door of DHS/CBP "leaders". After watching this silly game play out over and over again, it gets a little tiresome watching politicians trot out one "leader" after another who knows absolutely nothing about what we do. This guy actually thinks Janet Napolitano made "a brilliant comment" in regards to putting a wall up on the border (show me a 50' wall and I'll show you a 51' ladder). Cute? Certainly. Brilliant? Hardly. It's a very cute defeatist comment that generates cheap publicity, but does nothing to help us gain control of our borders. It reminds us of "Amnesty John" McCain's recent statement that illegal aliens would begin "parachuting" into the United States if we made it too hard for them to cross on the ground. Yeah, right! Basham also makes reference to the Chinese taking 300 years to build a wall (you'll have to decipher that one for yourselves, we're dumbfounded). The bottom line is that Basham apparently has no plan. America should be very concerned about what's taking place on our borders. Nothing substantive enough to address the problem is getting done folks. There's a lot of slick talk (mostly lies) from clueless politicians, but the facts remain that we have the worst equipment of any law-enforcement agency in the nation, we're undermanned, we're sold-out, we're being overrun, our infrastructure is, for the most part, completely outdated (not including the new palace being built for Sector management - it's huge, it cost a fortune, and it's real nice, but does absolutely nothing for rank-and-file agents), our vehicles are literally worn out and falling apart, our two-way radio communication system is completely outdated and unreliable (it doesn't even work in many areas we have to patrol), and morale amongst many agents is very bad. Most agents we speak with anymore are trying to get jobs somewhere else or are very unhappy with the way things are going in the Border Patrol. Why? The number one reason is a lack of job satisfaction and a lack of support. The situation is shameful and somebody better wake up. Read an article on Mr. Basham here. 06-20-06

Management's Nice Rental Vehicles - Has anyone noticed that when many of the managers and management reps (LER, the ones who are paid to hang agents) are detailed here from the east coast they often rent expensive luxury and sports cars? We have seen them driving Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger models. Why is that? Contrast that with the rank-and-file agents who go on detail. They are often told they can't have a car, or if they do get one they have to pile four people into an "economy" car, maybe a nice Chevy Cavalier or Dodge Neon. 06-08-06

National Guard - Local 2544 has not been consulted in any way, shape, or form regarding the deployment of National Guard troops in this Sector. This is being posted in response to multiple questions about our involvement in this process. In a nutshell, there is no involvement. We were told we would be consulted. We weren't. 06-08-06

Shift Swap Hearing - The hearing was held on June 1st in Tucson. Please allow 3 months for a final decision to be rendered. We are hopeful we will win this case and that some sanity will be restored to the draconian shift structure currently being used. 06-08-06

What "Guest Worker" and "Earned Legalization" Really Mean - Don't those terms sound warm and fuzzy? Well......in addition to the facts contained in the blog linked here regarding the administration of IRCA 1986, frontline Border Patrol agents were ordered to immediately release any illegal alien who made an amnesty claim, no questions asked, even though we were routinely uncovering massive fraud with simple field interrogation techniques. The illegal aliens we questioned before this order came down were mostly lying, and we were catching them in lies one right after another. Many had just entered the United States, but falsely claimed they had entered years before so they could "qualify" for amnesty. One large group was tracked down and apprehended on the Tohono O'Odham Indian reservation about 10 miles from the border (in the middle of nowhere - there's nothing out there, no roads, and no legitimate/lawful reason for illegal aliens to be there). Two of them had freshly minted "amnesty" cards. When questioned about the "last entry" they made into the U.S. from Mexico, the cardholders claimed they had entered years before and were just "visiting" the rest of the group (approximately 100 total). Of course, their clams were ludicrous. We were told that if we wanted to prove their claims false we would have to "back track" them all the way to the south side of the border to prove they were in Mexico. It was logistically impossible to do this under the circumstances. What they had really done was obtain the cards fraudulently, then they returned to Mexico to smuggle their entire village into the U.S. so they could all get the "amnestia" cards being doled out to illegal aliens. Yes America, it was that bad and then some. Similar situations played out thousands upon thousands of times. Fraud was absolutely rampant, and the government agents trying to enorce the laws were handcuffed by the bureaucrats after organizations like Catholic Social Services complained about us having the gall to actually do our jobs. This was just one small incident among thousands, but it demonstrates on a very small scale what will happen if our government is allowed to do this again. We have no idea what George Bush was doing in 1986, but he obviously needs to polish up on his perception of reality. This will be an out-of-control nightmare. If they ultimately pass anything close to the disastrous Senate Bill, you will see what we're talking about. They're not just "legalizing" 12 to 15 million illegal aliens, they are "legalizing" many millions more (family members, etc.) who will come after the nightmare is implemented. Your government is nowhere near being capable of handling all those claims. They will buckle at the slightest hint of pressure from any activist/social services group. They will issue waivers like candy to any illegal alien who says he or she can't afford the "fines" levied by the government. They will accept one fraudulent document after another. The entire thing will be mass chaos. Don't agree with us? Some of us have already seen this play out first-hand 20 years ago. Stay tuned folks. It will be a train wreck if it passes. 05-30-06

Senator Kyl Stands Firm - Senator Kyl voted against the recent Amnesty Bill (S. 2611). Please thank him for opposing this horrible piece of legislation. Senator Kyl has been a terrific ally of rank-and-file Border Patrol agents over the years. He has been responsive and helpful to both individual agents who encounter problems and agents as a whole. He has always come across as a man of integrity and honor, and has always showed the utmost respect for us and our jobs. Click here to access Senator Kyl's website and thank him for his vote. Don't take people like him for granted. He needs positive feedback for taking a stand on an extremely important issue facing this nation. 05-28-06

Senator McCain Sells Us Out (again) - Senator McCain voted for the Amnesty Bill (S. 2611). Senator McCain has never been a friend to rank-and-file Border Patrol agents. He routinely ignores correspondence from Border Patrol agents and often gives the impression that he is just too big and too important to deal with us. He attempts to undermine our mission at every turn and actively supports the criminals who violate our laws. He always trys to downplay the fact that illegal aliens knowingly and willingly violate our laws, and he is a close ally on immigration matters with Senator Ted Kennedy, who we believe is the biggest disgrace of all time in the United States Senate. Senator McCain's smug attitude towards rank-and-file Border Patrol agents and his complete disdain for our mission has been evident for years. We will not bother listing his website because it's obvious he could care less what the average American thinks and he isn't up for re-election until 2010. 05-28-06

Local 2544 Featured in Washington Times - Click here to read an excellent article by Jerry Seper.......then click here to read about how the White House compares a criminal violation of 8 USC 1325 (illegally entering the United States) to a "speeding ticket". Geez, there sure are a lot of "speeders" coming across the border illegally. Maybe we should start using "speed bumps" to slow them down. Radar guns anyone? Pay a small fine and get your citizenship here. This is just more insanity from a White House so out of touch with the average American that we're beginning to think they should move to Mexico City so they'll be closer to their real constituents. They seem more interested in appeasing the "FOX" and his folks than they do representing the people who put them in office (that would be us dumb Americans who want the invasion stopped). 05-26-06

Arlen Specter, American Disgrace - Senator Specter, at the last minute, put a clause in the Senate's shameful immigration bill that forces the United States government to "consult" with Mexico prior to planning or building any fences or barriers on our border. Not on Mexico's border, but yes, on United States soil. We can't wait to see this fencing project after the "consultations" take place. Maybe they can even appoint "Congressman" Raul Grijalva to lead the "consultations" for the United States of America. This is the same Mexican government who sends millions of their citizens here illegally to steal jobs and send billions of dollars back to Mexico. This is the same Mexican government whose soldiers smuggle drugs and shoot at Border Patrol agents. This is the same Mexican government that is corrupt to the core. This is the same Mexican government that uses its consular officers to sue the United States government. Great move Specter. Talk about the "FOX" guarding the henhouse. 05-26-06

McCain, Kennedy, Specter, and Bush Sell Out America - The Senate passed a shameful bill today at the urging of an equally shameful George W. Bush, fresh off his dune-buggy riding jaunt in Yuma surrounded by a bunch of adoring, star-struck Border Patrol managers. This bill cheapens citizenship in this country (again), it throws the rule of law out the window (again), it places unconscionable burdens on DHS (verifying the identity of every illegal alien in this country within 90 days), it repeats, and at a minimum, quadruples the worst immigration mistake in the history of this country (IRCA 1986), it sells out our sovereignty by forcing the American government to "consult with the Mexican government" before planning or building any border fences, it encourages more widespread fraud than this country has ever seen (you'll see what we're talking about if this actually passes the House), and it is completely unenforceable and will overwhelm the system. Other than that, great job Senators. You have succeeded in placing the morale of frontline Border Patrol agents in the toilet just when we thought it couldn't possibly get any worse. More to follow. 05-25-06

"Why not say to those undocumented workers who are working the jobs that the rest of us refuse, come out from the shadows," Arizona Republican "Amnesty John" McCain. This guy just doesn't get it. Uh, Senator, they put themselves in those "shadows" by breaking our laws and they need to go home. They weren't forcibly placed in the "shadows" by some murdering tyrant from the Middle East. They freely chose to break our laws, steal our jobs, and take advantage of our wobbly-kneed politicians who let them do it. Instead of using all that energy to fix their own corrupt country, they sneak into ours and then demand that we change our system to fit their crimes. It's pretty simple stuff. 05-25-06

Statement: Every day that President Bush and the Senate hold real border security hostage to their misguided amnesty program, thousands upon thousands of illegal aliens continue to flood into the country. Make no mistake, most of them get by us. We are losing this war, and it's not even close. Contact your senators and congressmen now. Tell them to secure the border and tell them to reject amnesty programs (so called "guest-worker").

Mexico's Hypocrisy - "Do as I say, not as I do" seems to be the popular theme emanating from President Fox and the Mexican government these days. They want us to afford instant benefits and eventual citizenship to illegal aliens in this country, but take a look at the way non-native born "citizens" are treated in their society. It is mind-boggling that Mr. Fox can keep a straight face when he lays out all these demands (to a usually compliant President Bush who always seems more eager to please Fox than the American people). Read an article here. 05-22-06

Bush Plan is a Trojan Horse (1986 all over again) - He and the Senate do not "get it". The Congress "gets it". The American people "get it". Shut the border down to illegal crossings, then start hammering the greedy employers who hire them. Start deporting, we repeat, deporting, the illegal aliens who are here in violation of law. It may take years, but you don't build a house overnight. It's not complicated folks. Promising more AMNESTY is not going to dissuade anyone from coming here. Rewarding the lawbreakers with amesty is not going to solve anything. It just demonstrates that there are rewards for breaking our laws. The Congress should continue to REJECT Bush's calls for amnesty and should continue to stick up for the American people who want this problem stopped now, without AMNESTY provisions. 05-16-06

"Militarization" of the Border - President Bush is doing back flips to assure the hypocritical El Presidente Fox that America will not "militarize" the border. We didn't realize that Fox was running things here. Is the Mexican government paying for any of this? Of course not. Further, Fox has already "militarized" the border. Mexico has plenty of troops on the border. We know this because we see them all the time and they shoot at us with rather large .50 caliber rifles. All we can do is hope their aim is bad, run from them, and then watch as the cowards from our government hide from the issue, and their government lies about them even being there. So........if Fox is so concerned with the "militarization" of the border perhaps he should start on his side of the border. Fox needs to learn that the United States of America is a sovereign nation and has the absolute right to secure its borders. Fox does not have the right to dictate our internal policies. He uses his consulate officers to harass us, file lawsuits, and use every trick in the book to undermine border security so he can continue to send millions upon millions of his citizens over here to send millions upon millions of dollars back to him. Meanwhile, our schools suffer, our healthcare suffers, our environment suffers, our culture suffers, our rule of law suffers and this great nation is the real loser. It simply cannot continue. Start fixing your own country. It's a complete mess. We'll see tonight if Bush actually has the fortitude to implement real border security without selling this country down the drain with another AMNESTY program. Given his abysmal track record with illegal immigration, we think this whole thing might be a Trojan Horse so he, Senator McCain, and Ted Kennedy can get the amnesty program they so badly want. Remember how quickly "interior enforcement" and "employer sanctions" disappeared after the 1986 amnesty debacle? Some of us watched that disgraceful mess first-hand. We were ordered not to enforce the laws and we were ordered to stand by and watch as one fraudulent act after another was carried out by illegal aliens. It was not what we'd call a big morale booster. Watch how quickly "border security" will disappear once they get the AMNESTY program they really want. The carrot and stick approach is always lots of carrots and no sticks. To believe that Bush suddenly woke up one morning and started caring about the long-term security of our borders is rather naive. He is passionate only when he speaks about giving amnesty to millions of "good-hearted" lawbreakers. He lacks the same passion when he speaks about "border security". We'll see. It always makes us feel good to get shot at, rocked, and run down with vehicles by the same people our top leaders are trying so hard to glorify and protect (they're not "criminals" who are breaking our laws, they're merely engaging in a harmless "administrative violation" by the millions). Read an article on the kowtowing conversation between Fox and Bush here. 05-15-06 The first wave of threats from Mexico to file "lawsuits" in United States courts if the National Guard arrests anyone has arrived. Mexican illegal aliens state they will not be stopped, and you can thank George W. Bush and his promises of more AMNESTY programs and his assurances that they won't be DEPORTED for that. They will come in even bigger numbers now, just like they did in 1986. Read an article on this disgraceful situation caused by an unforgiveable failure on the part of the White House and the Senate to properly address the continuing national disaster that is illegal immigration. Click here. 05-16-06

The Sell-Out Continues - According to Ted Kennedy, Americans support amnesty for illegal aliens (he calls it "earned citizenship", which means you break laws to "earn" your citizenship). Hey Teddy, we are Americans, and we don't support anything you're doing. You are a disgrace. Make sure you count us out when you lie to everyone about the "broad support" your amnesty plan enjoys. Read an article on the Senate plan here. 05-11-06

Reports to Mexican Government - This Local has nothing to do with any alleged management directives to report the location of the Minutemen volunteers to the Mexican government. Our position on the Mexican government and the Mexican military is very clear. They are corrupt, their soldiers shoot at us, they smuggle drugs, they help illegal aliens invade this country by the millions, they are not to be trusted, and they should have ZERO input into the internal policies of the United States of America. We have received a lot of e-mail on this issue. Rank-and-file Border Patrol agents have been angry for years about the Mexican Consulate invading our work stations, demanding interviews with prisoners, and basically being given free reign to do whatever they want. It's been a standing joke for years that we should "check with the Mexican Consulate" to see if they approve before we do anything. Their influence on our politicians and upper managers is absolutely disgraceful. 05-10-06 Update: Two congressmen have now called for an investigation, and management can't get their stories straight (the pre-programmed Agency "spokespersons" evidently weren't all programmed with the same "information" before they were turned loose on the media to straighten all this out. A massive re-programming of the spokespersons is almost certainly taking place at this time). Read an article quoting former Tucson Sector agent Scott James here (we can verify that he did, in fact, quit in complete "disgust" when he left here some months ago). 05-12-06

Recent Issues

·         May 1st - Local 2544 will be making purchases of computers and other expensive items we normally would purchase at some point anyway - on May 1st. We wish all the illegal aliens would take their May 1st "protest" a step further, and completely remove themselves from the country. This would really demonstrate how upset they are at being treated like common lawbreakers. It has to be terrible to be a lawbreaker, and then be called a "lawbreaker", or even worse, to actually be held accountable for breaking "laws". Ouch! Afterwards, we could put all the unemployed Americans back to work, force employers to pay a fair wage, and see if the country really falls apart as the radical illegal immigration activists would have everyone believe. We say CALL THEIR BLUFF. 04-29-06

·         Protests Have Almost Zero Effect - What did we "learn"? Well, Los Angeles has a huge illegal alien population and is quickly becoming a third world city (we've known that for years). The entire country is full of illegal aliens (we've known that for years, but now the rest of America can see it for themselves). Many illegal aliens have learned to carry American flags now as a political gesture, but we all know that their loyalty is with Mexico. They still don't think they are "criminals". And last but not least, movie actor Martin Sheen has pretty teeth and he supports illegal immigration (he's not real bright though). All in all we have to say thanks to the radical illegal immigration activists (Latino Movement USA, La Raza, MeCHA, etc.) for awakening the American people and demonstrating what a huge problem we have in this country. Please schedule more "demonstrations" soon! Americans: Please contact your senators and congressman now and demand that something be done. We need the help. 05-02-06

• AUO on OT Days - Some bad information has been circulating regarding AUO on OT days. In a nutshell, it is perfectly legitimate to claim AUO after an 8 or 10 hour OT day. The same rules regarding AUO worked on regular duty days also applies to OT days (6th day overtime). The work at the end of the shift must be unforeseen. If a supe can schedule around it, then it's regular OT, not AUO (ie. waiting for relief at a checkpoint or a "static" position if the supe knows beforehand that your relief will not arrive in time to allow you to go home at the end of your regular OT shift). 05-02-06
• Mexico's Hypocrisy - While they demand that we open the floodgates for millions of illegal Mexican immigrants, take a look at the inhumane way they treat illegal aliens in Mexico. Another example of Vicente having El Presidente Bush completely FOXed. Click here. 04-29-06
• "You wonder if the immigration Gestapo are coming to get you." - This statement by someone named Chris Ruske in southern New Jersey who owns a nursery. It's obvious that he (or she - we'll assume it's a male) KNOWINGLY employs illegal aliens. His business should be raided, he and the illegal aliens working there should be arrested, and he should be prosecuted. Instead, he brazenly speaks out publicly and calls a bunch of hard working, patriotic Americans "Gestapo". Since Ruske obviously doesn't know what he's talking about we'll explain for him. The Gestapo was employed in Germany to brutally round up people of a certain religious faith, load them on boxcars, send them to killing camps, and then to starve and exterminate them. Arresting someone for breaking the law in America, feeding them a hamburger, treating them with respect, then sending them home on a nice air-conditioned bus hardly compares to the Gestapo, and you, Mr. Ruske, are obviously a law-breaking, ignorant moron. Read the one-sided AP hit piece here. 04-29-06
• Politics of the Illegal Immigration "Crackdown" - There is an an interesting opinion piece on the politics behind the "crackdown" on illegal immigration. As usual, we are the pawns getting rocked and shot at while the politicians and others play their games. Oh, by the way, it's no longer a "guest worker program", it's now a "pathway to citizenship". Both equal AMNESTY for illegal alien lawbreakers, but doesn't "pathway to citizenship" have a nicer ring to it? Much better term to shove down the throats of Americans who think our laws should actually be enforced. We feel better already. Next time you dodge a bottle, a rock, or a bullet down on the line, just think of the violator as being a tad overzealous to get on the "pathway to citizenship". This should make you feel better. Read the opinion piece here. 04-28-06
• Allowing a Massive Invasion is OK, but a "Massive Deportation" is a No-No - After sitting idly by for years while millions of illegal aliens invaded the country, President Bush has decided that any "massive deportation" is not "realistic". We only wish he had come to the brilliant conclusion that the massive invasion wasn't "realistic" years ago. Don't you just love pandering politicians and the minions who suck up to them ("Great speech Mr. President. Another bike ride now sir?") This is just a silly idea from the people doing all the dirty work on the front lines Mr. President, but have you ever thought that maybe if you crack down harder on employers with REAL enforcement and heavy fines they'll stop hiring illegal aliens and many, if not most, of the illegal aliens will go home on their own? "Can't get a job? Can't get welfare? Well, maybe we should go home and fix our country rather than stealing jobs in America." Put our unemployed to work in the "jobs Americans won't do". Read the latest propaganda from El Presidente here. 04-24-06
• Arizona Republic Reporter Tells Illegals Not to Worry - Richard Ruelas of the Arizona Republic has written an article detailing what a farce it is for illegal aliens to say they're "scared" and what a lie it is for the pro-illegal alien activists to claim that "fear is spreading" through the "illegal immigrant community". Ruelas is no fan of the Border Patrol, who he sarcastically refers to as "Migra" in the article. That's a demeaning term intended to ridicule and dehumanize Border Patrol agents. And since most Border Patrol agents are "Hispanic" now (about 60%), maybe we should label Ruelas a "racist". The other side does it with impunity and it seems to work great for them. Who needs any justification to level those accusations anymore? We wonder how he would react if we used a derogatory slang term when we referred to him? The sad part is that he is, of course, correct in his assessment of the government's impotence in dealing with illegal aliens. ICE will not be conducting any "mass round-ups" and there is absolutely no reason for illegal aliens to have any fear once they get past us down on the border. The local police departments won't touch them, ICE is anemic, and many of our politicians are hiding under their desks. Lastly, the mean ole' "Migra" is confined to working on or near the border. We can't get too far north lest we "offend" someone like Richard Ruelas with our mere presence. This is what a joke the entire illegal immigration problem has become folks. We are being rocked, shot, shot at, run over with vehicles, and otherwise assaulted and exposed to danger every day, and every time we pick up a paper or watch the "news" we're being mocked and ridiculed constantly by people like Richard Ruelas. Ain't America great? Ruelas even refers to the "American Dream" and shows how illegal aliens should start their own "businesses" to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately for us and many Americans, this whole thing has become an "American Nightmare". Read the wonderful "how to be a worry-free criminal" article here. 04-21-06
• Napolitano Vetoes Bill - This is no surprise at all. The bill would have made it a state crime for illegal aliens to trespass into Arizona. The Arizona Police Association came out against this bill (without our input). Others came out against it (see below). Napolitano is like many other tough-talking politicians. She talks about "illegal immigration" and "out of control borders" a lot........and that's about it. If she was half as hard on illegal aliens as she was on Border Patrol agents when she was the U.S. Attorney for Arizona we would be a lot better off. Click here to read an article on her veto. 04-17-06
• Phoenix PD Officer, Tony Estrada, and AZ Association of Chiefs of Police - This is what they had to say in response to a bill making it a state crime for illegal aliens who trespass into Arizona:

"We don't have enough cops on the streets to handle the problems we've got today, and now they want us to go into the back of Filiberto's and arrest the poor dishwasher while somebody is getting carjacked in the middle of the street?" said Jake Jacobsen, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. "That's just a bad idea." Arizona Republic

The jails in the Phoenix area are full of illegal aliens, they currently expend all kinds of resources dealing with crimes committed by and against illegal aliens, and most of the beat cops we come into contact with are practically begging for help, and this guy simplifies the problem to a "poor dishwasher" in Filibertos. That "carjacking" he may need to respond to might well be an illegal alien too. A "poor dishwasher" in Denver just executed a Denver city cop last year, then fled to Mexico to escape the death penalty. Jacobsen's attitude is exactly the problem in this country when it comes to dealing with illegal aliens. Nobody wants to do the dirty work. Everybody wants to leave the dirty work to someone they can look down on. Our guys are getting rocked, shot at, run down with vehicles, and otherwise assaulted every day of the week trying to keep what Jacobsen refers to as "poor dishwashers" out of this country. And we always thought city PD's "prioritized" calls (with the obvious results being that he would be called off the "poor dishwasher" in Filibertos to catch the "carjacker" out on the street).

Here's what Sheriff Tony Estrada from Nogales has to say about it (this guy's pompous attitude is laughable, considering how much crime illegal aliens cause in Santa Cruz County):

"I cannot have my deputies drop what they're doing for the public safety of the community to stop, detain and question people who may be here illegally," Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada said. Arizona Republic

Lastly, here's what Eric Edwards, the Executive Director of the "Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police" has to say. His attitude is even more smug than the two guys above. We have no idea what his organization is all about, but it sure sounds important:

Police, money and limited resources would be better spent by officers targeting violent and property crimes instead of trying "to hunt down landscapers, maids and those whose sole offense is being in the country illegally," Edwards said.

"You look at the amount of cost, and for what?" he added. "At the end, the result is they'll be deported, and until the border is secure, they'll be back a week later." Arizona Republic

Can't you just feel the "importance" that Mr. Edwards exudes? "Violent and property crimes"? Where should we start with that one? Is this guy really ignorant enough to believe that in the state of Arizona there aren't huge amounts of "violent and property crimes" already being committed by illegal aliens? Go arrest any prostitute, thief, or dope dealer in the state and they'll most likely just "be back a week later" too, so why bother with them either Mr. Edwards? His use of the term "hunt down" and his portrayal of illegal aliens as innocent victims is sad. Edwards' condescending attitude is unreal.

Lastly, just to clarify, even for some folks that are supposed to be helping us, it is already a federal CRIME to enter this country without inspection. Look up 8 USC 1325. A first offense is punishable by a fine and up to six months in jail, a second offense is punishable by a fine and up to two years in jail. Many media outlets are incorrectly reporting that it is only a "civil offense". No, it's just that we can't persuade the U.S. Attorney's office to prosecute anyone for 8 USC 1325 unless they're also an axe murderer, so they are charged with the "civil offense" and sent home. Again, and again, and again, and again. Eventually they get past us and once they get past us they are home free. Many of them get a job as a "poor dishwasher" in a large city. Some of them commit crimes after they get here. ALL of them are waiting on the next Bush/McCain/Kennedy amnesty program, also known as the Great American Sell-out. 04-15-06

• Agents at Arivaca Horse Camp Shot At - A convicted local drug smuggler apparently decided that he'd shoot at agents on his way home from a local bar last night. A travel trailer occupied by off-duty agents was hit by at least one round. The shooter was chased down by the agents and arrested. A weapon was recovered. No agents were hurt. This bozo has a prior conviction for assaulting a Border Patrol agent. Apparently, seven years in prison and too much to drink at the bar didn't help his outlook on life. We hope he's locked up for a long time. 04-13-06
• ATV Camp & Horse Camps - The Local has completed inspections of the ATV Camp in Sasabe, the Horse Camp in Arivaca, and the Horse Camp near Sells. There have already been some changes made to the Arivaca Camp. The Sasabe Camp is still being set up, and the Sells Camp is pending our Health and Safety report. 03-30-06
• Protesters - Half a million protesters in Los Angeles, 20,000 in Phoenix, more in Denver and all over the country. Gee.......anybody think there is an illegal immigration problem in this country? The vast majority of the protesters are illegal aliens, led by radical illegal immigration activists. The illegal aliens are not afraid of arrest, they are not afraid to be on television, they are not afraid to physically assault counter-protesters, they have demanded an "apology" from the Mayor of Phoenix for rightfully demanding that the protesters work with the City to plan instead of shutting down businesses and homes by parking everywhere they shouldn't be (come on Mayor, that's just another silly government law or regulation to be ignored, just like our immigration laws). Maybe this will wake some people up. We doubt it. We can already see our spineless senators and congressmen hiding under their desks instead of taking a stand against this rampant lawlessness. Shame on them for letting things get this bad. Thousands more arriving daily and our President still trumpeting amnesty to encourage them to keep coming, so don't expect improvement anytime soon. As usual, anyone who opposes these people's ideology is automatically, and most often without any justification whatsoever, labeled a "racist". It's usually the people screaming "racists" that are the real racists. Pretty sad state of affairs. 03-27-06
• Ajo Agent Buried in Montana - There will be a memorial service for Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Greenig in Tucson on April 4th. The Local is currently trying to make arrangements for Greenig's parents to attend. By all accounts Greenig was a fine agent, and a fine human being who will be missed. Please click here to read an excellent article from the Billings, MT newspaper. 03-24-06
• Arbitration Cases - We are compiling a list of settlements and pending arbitration hearings. The Local has settled over 25 cases during the past year or so, resulting in backpay for our members. The list of pending arbitration cases has been cut in half during the last year. We still have a ways to go, but we're getting there. Our goal is to completely clear the backlog of cases so that our members can get a hearing within 6 months of invocation. 03-24-06
• Jim Kolbe Assists Illegal Immigration - Mr. Kolbe has done more to hinder the Border Patrol agents in Tucson Sector, and to help illegal aliens successfully further their illegal entries into this country than any other politician we can think of. Kolbe forces the Border Patrol in the Tucson Sector to move its checkpoints every seven days, for reasons only known to Mr. Kolbe himself. You will not find one Border Patrol agent or manager who agrees with him. Without ever making one arrest or spending one minute patrolling the border he's a self-proclaimed expert on border law enforcement (riding in parades and having your picture taken with real Border Patrol agents doesn't count). He refuses to listen to the experts who do the job every day. Alien smugglers utilize these mandatory checkpoint moves to their advantage. We could cite plenty of specific examples here, but we won't because we don't want to give them any ideas. Kolbe also directly causes inexcusable safety and health problems for our agents. There are no safe checkpoints in this Sector because of Jim Kolbe. He won't allow us to build them properly. Our agents are inexcusably exposed to dangerous situations at the checkpoints every day because of Kolbe. This has been going on for years. Despite all of his excuses and despite all his wasteful government-funded studies and "investigations" into this checkpoint issue, we defy him to give us one good reason for making our jobs so much harder and for making it so much easier for illegal immigrants to get into this country. 03-23-06
• "We were overrun with aliens. A lot more got away than were caught." - This is a quote sent to us from a veteran agent who returned from a long camp detail in Tucson Sector last week. The country continues to be overrun with illegal aliens. We aren't coming close to stopping them, and most of the time we don't even slow them down too much. Don't believe anyone who even hints that our borders resemble anything that is "under control" (especially top-level DHS/CBP managers). The old mantra of "as we gain operational control of (such-and-such) part of the border" is something designed to mislead the public into thinking we're making some sort of progress. There is no overall progress. Things are completely out of control at the border. 03-17-06
• New Vehicles on the Way! - Well, 80 new vehicles are on the way to Tucson Sector.......for the entire year. Thats right, 80. 10 vehicles for each station.....maybe.....if somebody at the top of the food chain doesn't decide they need a few of them. We need 1,000 new vehicles, and they send us 80. As we stated months ago here, get used to driving the worn out junk you're driving now. 100,000 miles on the odometer is just getting that fine patrol vehicle broken in good. Once again, our Washington DC gang lets us down. The INS used to steal all our vehicle money every year when disgraceful people like Johnny "Every Apprehension is a Failure" Williams were in charge. But now, with the new and improved DHS & Customs running the show it's all better. Trust us. Year after year after year the American people are fleeced into thinking the politicians are "serious" about "securing our borders", and year after year they are lied to. Anybody who thinks anything has substantively changed for the better during the last 20 years is delusional. It's worse now than it was 20 years ago. Much worse. Despite all the tough talk and the chest thumping, the sad fact of the matter remains that millions more illegal aliens are in this country, millions more are coming, anybody who really wants in will get in, and very little is being done about it. If hot air was an enforcement tool we wouldn't have an illegal immigration problem. Unfortunately, hot air only confuses many, pacifies some, and frustrates those of us who see what a complete bunch of BS it really is. Anybody who challenges the front-line agents on that fact needs a little truth serum administered. The smoke-and-mirrors games continue every year, and the clueless, self-serving faces at the top of our Agency change, but the facts don't change. The American people who currently don't have to deal with rampant illegal immigration better brace themselves. It's coming to their neighborhoods soon. While Bush is in office nothing will get done. That much is obvious after 6 years. And the current crop of prospective presidents who are posturing for a run in 2008, including our wonderful in-state non-supporter, "Amnesty John" McCain, will probably be worse. That should take us through 2012, when we'll be hearing the same old tired "get tough" political posturing over "securing our borders" all over again. Does anybody really think Hillary Clinton is going to be a tough, enforcement minded leader on illegal immigration if she gets elected? Get real folks. We've got a little ocean-front propery down here on the Arizona border we'd like to sell you too. It's peaceful, there is very little crime, very few illegal aliens, the smugglers are mostly under control, and best of all there is plenty of "good hearted, willing" cheap labor on hand at a moment's notice for those home improvement projects! Own a little piece of paradise. Call us for prices (some limitations, exclusions, and disclaimers may apply - on site inspection of property is not allowed until payment has been received in full). 03-11-06
• AFL-CIO - They're at it again. The supporters of the disgraceful Illegal Alien Freedom Ride of a few years ago, where they sponsored protesters who openly stated they wanted all Border Patrol agents fired (with a name like "Comida, No Migra" you would think they'd get a clue) are now saying no to "amnesty". They don't oppose it because of their support for BP agents and the security of this country. They oppose it because it doesn't go far enough. They want all illegal aliens in this country to be given Permanent Resident status. This Local split from the AFL/CIO several years ago, although AFGE continues to be aligned with them. Read a story about their latest money grubbing position here. 03-01-06
• Tucson Station Shifts - We received a couple of complaints (anonymously) that the recent shift proposal for the station was "unclear" when it was put out for a vote, and that it was "unfair" that less than half the station decided on the shifts. We researched this issue and found the following: The idea was presented to the entire station on 12/25/05 via cc:mail. At the end of the cc:mail message the steward sent out, he states "please let me know what you think about this proposal. I am going to speak with PAIC Rios this week and then I will put it in writing. If most of you oppose it, then I will not pursue this issue." On 12/30/05 the steward sent out a follow up message, which stated, in part "I have received 64 votes. Only 13 oppose the new shifts. Please, everyone vote because this will affect all of you" and "but please vote on this. Right now 51 agents want the change and 13 don't......." On 12/31/05 the steward sent another message out in regards to some agents' childcare concerns in which he listed a link for agents to research childcare issues. On 1/6/06 the steward sent another message out stating "everyone has until January 31st to vote for the shift times." Lastly, there were a number of cc:mail messages sent out by individual agents to the entire station debating the shift changes (both pro and con). We will continue to research this issue, but it appears from everything we have that the steward went out of his way to get people to vote. The cutoff date for voting was 01/31/06, which gave all agents over a month to decide and submit a vote. As in the past with these types of issues, most agents simply chose not to vote. 02-28-06
• Tommy Lee Jones....has made the latest Border Patrol movie (a real hit piece). He portrays the Border Patrol as a bunch of murdering, bullying, thugs. The illegal alien in the movie is a "victim". Hey Tommy Lee, why don't you get your macho butt down here on patrol at the border and dodge some "real" rocks, bottles, and bullets for a few nights and then make another movie pal. We have "real" agents shot in the legs, crippled, and rehabbing after being brutalized by Mexican thugs and you make another cheapshot movie slamming Border Patrol agents. Read a "5 star" review of the movie here.
• Camp Details - Management recently issued a memo with guidelines for camp details. Our position on the restrictions is simple. If management wants to restrict your "off-duty" time to hanging around the camp waiting to back up on-duty agents then they need to compensate you for that time with standby pay. We are currently in consultation with Sector staff on this issue and should have their decision soon. If no agreement is reached we will file a grievance. Update: 04-13-/06 No agreement could be reached. The Local filed a grievance and went to arbitration seeking backpay for all affected agents. Agents: please keep track of all the time you spend at any camp detail. Read the grievance here. The hearing took place in Yuma on March 22nd and we're waiting on a ruling.
• Membership - We still have agents who are getting into trouble and then trying to rush through a Unon sign-up form in an attempt to get our attorneys to represent them. This longstanding tactic is not going to work anymore. Your Union coverage will begin on the date you sign up. Anything that happens before you sign up is your problem. We will not expend resources covering you for something that happened when you weren't a member. This includes LSP and LDF coverage for administrative actions, and civil and criminal allegations. There are no exceptions to this policy.

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"Terrorism is the preferred weapon of weak and evil men." President Ronald Wilson Reagan

09-11-01  -  Never Forget What The Cowards Did to Us