Border Patrol fights back, riles Mexico

Published on December 17th, 2007

msnbc.com SAN DIEGO – The Border Patrol says its agents were attacked nearly 1,000 times during a one-year period along the Mexican border, typically by assailants hurling rocks, bottles and bricks. Now the agency is responding with tear gas and powerful, pepper-spray weapons, including firing into Mexico. The counteroffensive has drawn complaints that innocent families are being caught in the crossfire. The Border Patrol’s top official in San Diego, Mike Fisher, said his agents are taking action because Mexican authorities have been slow to respond. When an attack happens, he said, American authorities often wait hours for them to come, and help usually never arrives. “We have been taking steps to ensure that our agents are safe,” Fisher said.

Mexico’s acting consul general in San Diego, Ricardo Pineda, has insisted that U.S. authorities stop firing onto Mexican soil. He met with Border Patrol officials last month after the agency fired tear gas into Mexico. The agency defended that counterattack, saying agents were being hit with a hail of ball bearings from slingshots in Mexico. U.S. officials say the violence indicates that smugglers are growing more desperate as stepped-up security makes it harder to sneak across the border. The assailants try to distract agents long enough to let people dash in the United States.

“When you get that close to the fence, your agents are sitting ducks,” said T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council. Border Patrol agents were attacked 987 times along the U.S.-Mexico border during the 12-month period that ended Sept. 30, the agency said. That’s up 31 percent from 752 attacks a year earlier, and it’s the highest number since the agency began recording attacks in the late 1990s.
Frankly, I am surprised the Border Patrol response isn’t more aggressive. They should not have to put up with this nonsense. When will our limp wristed politicians confront Mexican authorities and lay down an ultimatum? Either do your job, arrest the offenders, or suffer the consequences of retaliation.

30 users responded in " Border Patrol fights back, riles Mexico "

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# 1 flyingelvis said, on December 17th, 2007 at 7:14 pm

OMG, WTF, kittens, I agree with McCullough.

# 2 GetSmart said, on December 17th, 2007 at 7:26 pm

Land mines are cheap and low maintence.

# 3 Bhelverson said, on December 17th, 2007 at 7:27 pm

Either do your job, arrest the offenders, or suffer the consequences of retaliation.

Except that if these people are in Mexico, they are Mexican Citizens who have done nothing to be arrested for. Expecting Mexico to enforce our laws is misguided.

# 4 Herspanic said, on December 17th, 2007 at 7:40 pm

How do Mexicans know when they are hungry? Their asshole stops burning.

# 5 Scott said, on December 17th, 2007 at 7:43 pm

Why not just pull back the border 1 mile, so these people would actually be on american soil when they attack, then just real ammunition to control them :

# 6 Joshua said, on December 17th, 2007 at 7:43 pm

#3….What they are doing happens to be against Mexican law as well. Our agent’s have been doing what the Mexican goverment asked them to do in these situation’s and the Mexican authority’s are not living up to their end of the bargin. Personally, I would respond a bit more aggresively.

But, we shouldn’t expect Mexico to do anything, after all they give out map’s to the illegal’s crossing the border and a list of phone number’s to call when they arrive in the border cities of group’s who will help them move deeper into the country. The list’s also include the number’s of lawyer’s to call if arrested that will tie up their deportation for month’s or years.

# 7 Janky-o said, on December 17th, 2007 at 8:17 pm

Hmm. Imagine they were firing rockets into the US…

# 8 Blues said, on December 17th, 2007 at 8:19 pm

As usual, the only response America can come up with involves guns. That’s why America won’t agree on any of the climate change proposals. They don’t involve arms sales or the use of force against vastly inferior forces.

# 9 T.J. said, on December 17th, 2007 at 9:04 pm

I agree with #2, land mines along the border.

# 10 AngryTeddy said, on December 17th, 2007 at 9:20 pm

Expecting Mexico to enforce THEIR laws is misguided as well. WAKE UP AMERICA!!! There’s an invasion going on, and it’s starting right in OUR BACK YARD!!!!

# 11 rusty said, on December 17th, 2007 at 9:25 pm

#8 Blues – exactly how is it that tear gas is considered ‘guns’?

There are several other alternatives that we could start using as well. Then again, we have a President who’s primary claim to fame before the debacle that’s been his presidency was being the Governor who put more humans to death than any serial killer so far.

Now I’m not saying that the boarder patrol has not been using guns. But if people start shooting ball bearings through your windows with wrist rockets, I don’t think you will be very happy to just sit there and take it, especially if every time you call the cops to try to get the people throwing bearings through you windows, they stop by say “Hello, how you doing? You really should do something about all this broken glass here.”

# 12 Chris said, on December 17th, 2007 at 9:26 pm

This typeface sucks.

# 13 Gasbag said, on December 17th, 2007 at 9:35 pm

Come on Mexico is not going to do anything about illegals as they sending a shit load of money back to Mexico and yes Chris this typeface sucks.

# 14 gquaglia said, on December 17th, 2007 at 9:36 pm

Should be like the old Berlin Wall. Attempt to cross illegally, boom your dead. I for one have no problem with that. Maybe there wouldn’t be so many illegal crossings if they knew deadly force was going to be applied.

Why even have boarders if you’re not going to enforce them.

# 15 benbeltran said, on December 17th, 2007 at 10:05 pm

#6: Yes, Mexican authorities are inept. But giving maps and numbers to call? sure. That’s a real stupid assumption.

Of course, what they’re doing is ilegal, but they had it coming. I live in a border and I’ve seen what happens. US agents practically harass the people that live near the border. If their house is near the river, they’re victims of eternal day (agents make sure the reflectors are pointed at the houses and not a bit nearer, where it’s more needed) and a lot of Sirens and loud stuff to make sure they don’t sleep.

When you have a group of annoyed/sleepless citizens from whatever country, you’ll get this kind of reaction. No wonder mexican authorities aren’t responding at all.

Instead of covering up the sun with a finger, they should stop playing the victims and accept that they are causing damage to some of the people on the other side of the border and that they have corruption as much as we do. Americans are always demanding, demanding, demanding just to act as if they weren’t doing anything wrong.

I know borders need to be more secure, and I know retalliation for those attacks is not only OK but justified, but everybody acts as if it was uncalled for and it’s all Mexico’s fault. Open your eyes people. It’s a problem for and from both sides.

# 16 RickCain said, on December 18th, 2007 at 1:14 am

We can fix the immigration problem with ONE step.

1) Stop outsourcing to Communist China and Communist Vietnam. Goods are produced in Mexico instead. As a result they are safer, better, and Mexicans have jobs and stay home. No need to build an embarassing Berlin-style wall.

Think outside the box, people.

# 17 Eric said, on December 18th, 2007 at 1:45 am

You know, it’s funny to me. The very same people that are howling the loudest about illegal immigration are the same ones that howl the loudest about the cost of food.

The solution is blindingly simple, yet no one really wants the REAL solution. If American homeowners and business people that employ illegal immigrants at below minimum wages were to be fined prohibitively high amounts, there would not be any jobs for illegal immigrants, and the main incentive for illegal immigrants to be in America would evaporate overnight.

The reason why illegal immigrants have jobs is because they’re willing to do the work for less than what employers would legally have to pay. This leads to lower prices throughout the marketplace.

However, if the companies were to be put in a position that it were MORE expensive to risk hiring illegals vs. paying a legal worker, the business would choose the latter. Remember, in business the almighty dollar is the driving force.

However, this leads to more expensive raw materials that make up the more complex items, thus leading to a higher cost on those items.

But here’s the catch, if people are employed, they’re not picking up welfare and taking advantages of other government subsidies.

But then you get into the argument of “Would American’s actually get around to doing those jobs that are currently being taken care of by the illegal immigrant population?”

It’s a simple solution that no one really wants to contemplate, especially in Congress and at the Federal Level.

Just like the War on Drugs, the War in Iraq, and the Pharmecutical Industries, there’s too much money to be made by prolonging the problems rather that addressing real solutions.

# 18 pedro said, on December 18th, 2007 at 2:33 am

McCullough said: “Mike Fisher, said his agents are taking action because Mexican authorities have been slow to respond.”

And what do you want, for them to wake up from their Siesta for that?

Make sure to check if the name of the Mexican border division is Sgt. Demetrio Lopez Garcia.

#3 expecting Mexico to uphold your laws? what are you, on dope? those are INTERNATIONAL laws. Is border controll and as mild and stupid as they seem, those are border attacks. P.C.’s are so funny.

#8 another American sell out. Didn’t you read the part that they were fed up because they talked to the Mexicans authorities many to do something and in good latin american politic fashion, they did nothing. What part of that didn’t you get? do I have to copy & paste from the article or will you read it again by yourself?

#12 Yes! You are correct!

#15 yes, they are giving maps and numbers, look it up. And what you’re saying is true, where are the Mexican military to assist those people? what a load o’ dung.
If you aren’t there already, you should move to the Mexican border. You’ll live a merryer life.

#16 aaaaaaah, you said safer. Hehehehe

# 19 Mister Catshit said, on December 18th, 2007 at 6:12 am

#5, Scott,

Good idea. I am not a fan of land mines but the threat of live fire in a “no-man’s land” might be sufficient to make a few think twice. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t.

#17, Eric,

Could you name a few of these people that criticize illegal immigration and the cost of food? I beef about the cost of certain staples such as dairy that reflect the cost of high grain prices. I would gladly pay more for fresh vegetables if it meant a decent wage for the pickers.

# 20 tallwookie said, on December 18th, 2007 at 7:26 am

whats up with the font being hella small?
that shit needs to be fixed

also, the landmines should have lasers on em. green ones

# 21 Jennifer Emick said, on December 18th, 2007 at 7:53 am

We won’t rest ’til we have our very own Palestine…

# 22 dave edwards said, on December 18th, 2007 at 7:59 am

Shoot to kill.

# 23 pedro said, on December 18th, 2007 at 7:59 am

#21 You? won’t you mean them?

# 24 ello said, on December 18th, 2007 at 8:38 am

I know….

Just convince everyone Mexico is full of drug dealers and terrorists and INVADE them. That will teach them, and you might even get low priced oil from the deal.

# 25 Ron Larson said, on December 18th, 2007 at 9:04 am

#15… it is true. That is no assumption. The Mexican gov’t publishes guides for Mexicans trying to slip in to the US. They started it last year.

# 26 Nation of Burger Flippers said, on December 18th, 2007 at 10:00 am

Maybe Mexico can send over some teachers so many of you can learn how to spell!
If you’re presumably American and want English to be the official language, learn how to use it!

# 27 MikeN said, on December 18th, 2007 at 12:32 pm

Eric it doesn’t work if the illegals get papers showing they are legal. Most employers don’t knowingly hire illegals.

# 28 Angel H. Wong said, on December 18th, 2007 at 2:41 pm

So much xenophobia.

# 29 MikeN said, on December 18th, 2007 at 8:23 pm

Ah, Angel, you won this argument. It’s all xenophobia.

# 30 chanity said, on February 5th, 2008 at 9:45 am

So you want to kill the brown people because they are looking for money to better their family or just a better life… I believe that the hispanic people are bettering our economy if anything…none of these lazy ass white men will get out here and do the jobs that they do for what the hispanics are doin it for… this is suppose to be the land of the free… so the point that was trying to be made was that the immigrants tring to cross the border were attacking… just imagine what these ruthless-ass white men are doing to those brown people… I guess americans will always think there shit don’t stink compared to the other colored people… and we think we’ve changed, hmMM!!!!!!

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