National Border Patrol Council

By Robert Brodsky rbrodsky@govexec.com
September 4, 2008

When Jim Mitchell was called into the office of his boss, U.S. Special
Counsel Scott Bloch on Aug. 29 he thought they were going to discuss what
time to send the staff home for the Labor Day weekend. Instead, Bloch
fired Mitchell, the OSC spokesman and recently named acting chief of
staff.

In an interview with Government Executive, Mitchell said Bloch did not
provide him with an explanation for the termination. Mitchell was a
Schedule C political appointee, and employees in that category can be let
go at any time.

According to Mitchell, when he returned to his office, his computer
already had been removed. Bloch later sent an e-mail to staff informing
them of Mitchell’s departure.

“I wanted to let you know that Jim Mitchell will no longer be working at
OSC,” wrote Bloch, a controversial figure who is under federal
investigation for allegedly destroying public records and obstructing
justice. “We are thankful for his contribution here over the last year and
a half and wish him well.” more »

“The right course is the one championed by Ronald Reagan 30 years ago and by John McCain today. It is to rein in government spending and to lower taxes, for taking a weed whacker to excessive regulation and mandates, for putting a stop to tort windfalls and to stand up to the tyrannosaurus appetite of government unions!” –Mitt Romney at the Republican National Convention, September 3, 2008

Since it is illegal for Federal employees to strike, and their pay and benefits are set by Congress, it is difficult to imagine what government unions could be demanding that would be so harmful to our country. Fair treatment for the overworked and underpaid public servants like our Border Patrol agents who risk their lives day and night to protect America? Former Governor Romney owes an apology to all of these dedicated men and women!

By Elliot Spagat
ASSOCIATED PRESS

1:35 p.m. August 27, 2008

IMPERIAL BEACH – Law enforcement officers wanted: must work graveyard shifts alone in remote towns along the Mexican border, put in long hours and perform well in triple-digit temperatures.

That message is never touted in U.S. Border Patrol recruitment brochures, but the sobering reality of working on the border has created an environment in which about 30 percent of agents leave their jobs in less than 18 months.

“This has complications up and down the line,” said Richard Stana, director of homeland security issues at the Government Accountability Office. “You’re constantly in a recruiting mode … If this population keeps churning, you’re constantly training.”

The Border Patrol’s struggle to keep new hires has become more evident as the agency comes close to meeting President Bush’s target of 18,000 agents by the end of the year, up from 12,000 two years ago and double the number from eight years ago. The hiring surge means 42 percent of agents have less than three years on the job. more »

Read Local 2544’s letter here.

The appellate attorneys for Ignacio Ramos and José Compean have filed petitions with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans asking it to reconsider its July 28th ruling that denied significant aspects of their appeals. The briefs raise a number of compelling issues that the Court should, and hopefully will, address.

Compean Rehearing Petition

Compean Rehearing Petition En Banc

Ramos Rehearing Petition En Banc

See the 3A Notice in the Collective Bargaining Section in the Members Area

Real Media Video Link Here

The NBPC has received new 3A Notices regarding the Use of Portable Electronic Devices and the Use of Controlled Tire Deflation Devices. The notices can be found through the Members area link above in Collective Bargaining.

Read Appelate decision here.

The National Border Patrol Council is extremely disappointed that the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld seven of the twelve charges against Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and José Compean, including one with a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years for discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. (The Court threw out all of the obstruction of justice charges stemming from the agents’ failure to report the discharge of their firearms and alleged cover-up.)

The Council firmly believes that both of these agents are innocent of all charges, and remains committed to doing everything in its power to ensure that justice eventually prevails in this case. Within the next two weeks, their attorneys will be filing motions for reconsideration to the three-judge panel that issued this ruling as well as to the full Court.

Please take a moment to donate to the Legal Defense Fund for these agents. Your generous contributions will help defray their considerable legal expenses.

Donations to the fund can be made by PayPal or by check payable to “BPA Legal Defense & Relief Fund.”

Checks can be mailed to the following address:

BPA Legal Defense Fund
P.O. Box 47208
Tampa, FL 33647