January 11, 2007

Congressmen still fighting Ramos/Compean conviction

From this Lou Dobbs transcript:

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Texas congressman Ted Poe led a group of lawmakers demanding the Justice Department not oppose a request that former Border Patrol agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos remain out of prison while their convictions for shooting an illegal alien Mexican drug smuggler are appealed. As we've reported, Ramos and Compean received 11 and 12-year sentences, while the Bush administration gave the wounded, allegedly unarmed drug smuggler, immunity from prosecution.

REP. TED POE (R), TEXAS: And our federal government had the choice to make of being on the side a drug dealer who was bringing in a million dollars worth of drugs, or the side of two border agents that apparently were just enforcing the rule of law.

WIAN: Among issues expected to be raised during the agents' appeal, the grant of immunity and other benefits given to Oscar Aldrete-Davila, who was caught again smuggling an even bigger load of dope into the United States. And allegations of jury misconduct.

Texas federal judge Kathleen Cardone (ph) is expected to rule later this week on the agents' request to remain free until the appeal is heard.

REP. ED ROYCE (R), CALIFORNIA: It would be a grave miscarriage of justice if they were to be sent to prison for simply doing their job. Out of concern for their safety, they should not go to prison and should remain free on bond, pending their appeal.

WIAN: They're scheduled to surrender next Wednesday.

REP. DUNCAN HUNTER (R), CALIFORNIA: In this case, we'll have two of our best Border Patrol agents put in confinement with the very people that they brought to justice. That's like sending our soldiers or our Marines who have been -- who have been prosecuted into a confinement with al Qaeda.

WIAN: LOU DOBBS TONIGHT has learned the Justice Department will not oppose the bail request. Still, lawmakers are outraged President Bush refuses to intervene.

REP. WALTER JONES (R), NORTH CAROLINA: I am very, very disappointed in the indifference by this White House as it relates to these two men and their families.

Others involved are Reps. Tom Tancredo and Dana Rohrabacher.

Posted to Immigration at January 11, 2007 02:41 AM

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