Bush criticized for ordering Border Patrol to build security fence

[Soldier4Christ]

Bush criticized for ordering Border Patrol to build security fence

The president of the National Border Patrol Council is blasting the Bush administration for scrambling to get Border Patrol agents to help with the construction of a security fence along the U.S.-Mexico Border. The White House made the move after withdrawing half of the National Guard troops sent there to perform the job.



The U.S. Border Patrol is reportedly seeking about 100 of its agents to help erect the border fence. According to The Washington Times, Border Patrol sector chiefs were told in a recent memo that "the Border Patrol is now going back into the fence-building business" because President Bush is likely to fall short of his promise of having 70 miles of the fence built by the end of September.

T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), says having agents construct the fence is not a wise use of resources.

"You're taking highly trained immigration law enforcement officers -- boots on the border, if you will -- away from their primary responsibility of apprehending terrorists, drug dealers, [and] illegal aliens," he says, "and you're having them build a fence which is designed to slow down that traffic so that Border Patrol agents can catch people crossing over the fence. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense."

According to Bonner, 50 of the 70 miles of fence the White House promised by the end of September have already been erected. Which causes him to wonder who came up with the "artificial goal" of the end of September.

"If it takes till the end of October to have a contract letter to get more guard troops down there, Army Corps of Engineers, whoever, to build that fence, then let's do it that way," the NBPC leader suggests. "Let's not rob resources from the front lines in order to do support functions."

Bonner contends it is no coincidence President Bush is drawing down the number of National Guard troops along the border at the same time he is asking Border Patrol agents to build fences. According to Bonner, the Bush administration is "not sincere about securing our borders."

[Shammu]

"You're taking highly trained immigration law enforcement officers -- boots on the border, if you will -- away from their primary responsibility of apprehending terrorists, drug dealers, [and] illegal aliens," he says, "and you're having them build a fence which is designed to slow down that traffic so that Border Patrol agents can catch people crossing over the fence. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense."

The president of the National Border Patrol Council is not make sense.

You built a fence to keep unwanted things out of your yard.  Why not a fence to keep out unwanted illegal aliens

[Soldier4Christ]

Building the fence is a good idea, but until it gets done there needs to be agents still doing their job. With the National Guard being removed from the borders and then border agents being used to build a fence the border will be left unguarded with all kinds of people getting across at least until the fence is finished.

I am sure that groups like the Minute Men would love to help out.