Boozman Signs on to Border Patrol Bill

Boozman Signs on to Border Patrol Bill

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today announced he will co-sponsor legislation to pardon Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.

Boozman, a member of the Immigration Reform Caucus, joined 77 members who have signed on to the Congressional Pardon for Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean Act, introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA).

The legislation would take the step to congressionally pardon the agents, convicted on charges, including a civil rights violation, stemming from a February 2005 shooting incident involving a drug smuggler along the U.S.-Mexico Border.

"This is important legislation which will send a message to the men and women who are the front lines of border security that there are those in Congress who stand behind them," Boozman said. "There are details of this case which do not sit well with me, including the granting of immunity to the man who was shot while trying to smuggle almost 800 pounds of marijuana into the United States.

Agent Ramos began serving his 11-year, one-day, sentence on January 17, as did Agent Compean, who was sentenced to 12 years.

Recently, President Bush said he planned to look over the evidence of the case.

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=56449