Last Resort Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 SAN ANTONIO — A congressman who has been an outspoken critic of illegal immigration called for the removal Friday of the Border Patrol's chief in Laredo, saying his recent comments about the role of the agency make him unfit for the job. Rep. Tom Tancredo, a Colorado Republican and long-shot presidential candidate, said Carlos X. Carrillo's remarks in a town hall meeting were "diametrically opposed" to the Border Patrol's mission. Carrillo spoke Aug. 15 in Laredo, a border community intimately connected by commerce and family with Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. At the meeting, Carrillo said, "The Border Patrol's job is not to stop illegal immigrants. The Border Patrol's job is not to stop narcotics ... The Border Patrol's mission is not to stop criminals. The Border Patrol's mission is to stop terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering this country." In a letter to the editor published in the Laredo Morning Times three days later, Carrillo sought "to fully explain" his comments, saying the agency's job historically has been to protect the nation's homeland by detecting and apprehending people or contraband coming in illegally. Tancredo, who says he was contacted by concerned Border Patrol agents and others, said the explanation doesn't address concerns that Carrillo is minimizing the need to stop all illegal immigrants. Carrillo has headed the sector covering 171 river miles since October. "He has established a clear attitude in regard to what the Border Patrol is supposed to be about, and it is diametrically opposed to what the Border Patrol is supposed to do," said Tancredo, who believes the comments reflect an attitude among some that illegal immigrants seeking jobs are harmless. "You have to stop everyone, or at least as many as you can, who is coming into the country illegally," he said. David Aguilar, the head of the Border Patrol, defended Carrillo in a statement issued late Friday, saying the Laredo chief should have communicated the agency's mission in a clearer manner but that his comments were being taken out of context. "Our mission is to protect our country's borders from all threats. Our highest priority is keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering our country," Aguilar said. "We have never, nor will we ever, decrease or minimize our aggressive efforts in enforcing the rule of law." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiefin Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiefin Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiefin Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOE Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 that damn bush. those are his feelings exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaf001 Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 So what's wrong with lining the border with the stockpile of mines we have left over from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldev Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 I'm not sure we have enough of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOE Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 So what's wrong with lining the border with the stockpile of mines we have left over from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam? good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 SAN ANTONIO — Rep. Tom Tancredo, a Colorado Republican and long-shot presidential candidate, said Carlos X. Carrillo's remarks in a town hall meeting were "diametrically opposed" to the Border Patrol's mission. Carrillo spoke Aug. 15 in Laredo, a border community intimately connected by commerce and family with Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. "You have to stop everyone, or at least as many as you can, who is coming into the country illegally," he said. Tommy (can you help a brother out) Tancredo is blasting the border patrol for not doing it's job. Tommy missed 26% of the House votes in the current session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zit Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 hey, i know, we can buy the Maginot Line from our good buddies in france.. they won't need it till the germans reinvade.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terlingua Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 I work the border as often as possible where I USE to enjoy crossing without any big hasselThe answer to stop the imigration problem is cheaper and safer than fences and mines. FINE $$$$ those who hire illegals. They're on the corner in plain site here in N.W. Arkansas, standing on the corner waiting for work. Don't see in officers of the law stopping those who pick them up for employment. (to busy giving speeding tickets) I have to prove my citizenship anywhere I go to work, why not enforce that law for all? As far as the Border Patrol, they would be more effective if they could go back to working for the Border Patrol as a single agency instead of answering to "Home Land Security" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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