It's Time to Pardon the Border Guards

Eagle Forum: The end of President Bush's final term is quickly approaching. Less than two months remain until he hands over the White House keys to Barack Obama, but we cannot let him leave office without resolving one very important issue: he must commute the prison sentences of convicted U.S. Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean!

Not only do we now know that the agents did not get a fair trial and that the prosecution's case was based on the word and testimony of an illegal drug smuggler, but the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld their mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentences for "discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence." This law, Section 924(c) of the U.S. Code, has always been interpreted to apply to criminals, not law enforcement officers engaged in their official duties. Every U.S. citizen has the right to self defense, especially those serving in harm's way.

The severity of these charges and the harshness of the punishment are totally disproportionate to the violation in question. Even the illegal drug smuggler, Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, was sentenced to less prison time than our fellow American border guards! Most recently, on November 14, 2008, U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, whose office prosecuted the border guards, stated "I have always said that the punishment in this case was harsh."

Although the families of agents Ramos and Compean plan to appeal their cases to the U.S. Supreme Court, there is no guarantee that the High Court will agree to hear it. There is the possibility that the Fifth Circuit may rehear the case in front of all 17 judges at a later date, but the fastest and most effective way to free the border guards would be with a presidential pardon or a commutation of their prison sentences to time served.

It has been said that a pardon or commutation will not be considered until all legal avenues have been exhausted, but the President has the presidential prerogative, as granted to him in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, to pardon or commute the sentences of any convicted person for any reason or for no reason. The time to act is now!

1) Please begin to flood the White House phone lines with calls asking President George W. Bush to pardon or commute the prison sentences of Ramos and Compean before he leaves office. White House Opinion Line: 1(800) 671-7887 toll-free or (202) 456-6213 Comments to the President: (202) 456-1111

2) Call and mail letters to the United States Pardon Attorney explaining why the border guards deserve to have their prison sentences commuted! All requests for executive clemency for federal offenses are directed to the Pardon Attorney for investigation and review. It is important that you make the Pardon Attorney aware that the border guards have the full support of the American people. Mail letters to: Mr. Ronald L. Rodgers, Office of the Pardon Attorney, 1425 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 11000, Washington, D.C. 20530 or Call: (202) 616-6070

Ramos and Compean are counting on YOU! Review of previous ARRA News Service posts on saga of Romos & Compean

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