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Return to Article: Border Patrol conducts largest tactical operation in its history

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  So who was minding the store on the border while the Border Patrol was sent to New Orleans? I didn't realize that disaster relief was a mission of this agency, especially when there were thousands of first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs, etc.) from the affected areas and surrounding states with better training and equipment for this role, not to mention the military and the National Guard. Even ICE and DEA had to get in on the act. Very commendable, but was it the best use of these limited resources, especially with the invasion of the United States by illegal aliens in full swing?

  GovExec.com reader Posted September 28, 2005 4:00 PM
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  It is clear the postings to this article reflect a significant lack of knowledge and background on the Border Patrol's tactical unit. As long as I've been involved with immigration and customs enforcement, BORTAC has had a paramilitary mission with respect to securing the storm ravished areas of the America's southeastern borders. That is probably why they performed well, they were prepared for the call. This is a small dedicated group of Border Patrol Agents who go through extensive and demanding training to meet the paramilitary challenges such as hardened criminals and smugglers with assault and sniper rifles. They train regularly with our best law enforcement and military units. Not to take away from the Coast Guard, they have a different mission, but the President couldn't make a more informed call than inviting this unit into an area after the hurricane blew through. The extensive drug enforcement activity in Florida in the 1980s brought a branch effort by drug runners to the area in search of new smuggling routes. A BORTAC deployment was the right thing to do. To the idiot on the Southern Border, who do think is setting up ambushes at night to take on heavily armed dope and alien smugglers in support of the normal BP operations? You owe these guys your support, not your ignorance.

  GovExec.com reader Posted September 20, 2005 7:25 PM
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  Ah yes, another classic BP 'dog and pony show'. But's let's not forget that President Shrub WANTS more illegals coming into this country. In fact, legislation is now being prepared to magically turn these illegal infiltrators into so-called 'guest workers'! Just research what Europe is going through w/these people. Finally, I heard that the reason that President Shrub wants more Mexicans flooding into our country is so that when Hillary is president in 2008, she can make sure to care for each one...Think about it.

  GovExec.com reader Posted September 19, 2005 9:02 AM
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  When reconstruction begins in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Missisippi you can bet most labor workers wearing hard hats, under the hot sun 12-16 hours a day will be of the illegal variety. Is it really smart to crack down on them at this time?

  GovExec.com reader Posted September 19, 2005 5:05 AM
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  While these "elite agents" were in support of Katrina who were standing on the borders preventing illegals from crossing into the United States? Maybe the illegals agreed not to cross while the disaster was being attended to.

  William G. Mahar Posted September 16, 2005 8:31 AM
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  Um, if this is the largest tactical operation in the Border Patrol's history, I think I finally understand why our borders are so unprotected.

  US Patriot Posted September 16, 2005 2:01 AM
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  That's just great...the largest tactical operation in its history and it wasn't anywhere near the border. Here's an idea, when they pull out out of New Orleans let's have the "Border Patrol" secure the "border".

  US Citizen Posted September 15, 2005 7:16 PM
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  Though ICE deployed some FPS officers, special agents (SRT) and DEO's in limited numbers to assist in Katrina recovery efforts, I think it is clear now that Mr. Bonner no longer needs, wants or misses legacy Customs O/I. Congratulations to Bonner, CBP and BP for a job well done. Despite the DHS growing pains it seems you have an agency you can be proud of. ICE had no such orchestrated plan for action and still seems to not know how or where it wants to deploy assets to assist in the still on-going recovery efforts. ICE is pathetic on so many different levels.

  Special Agent Posted September 15, 2005 7:03 PM
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  To think, it only took ONE WEEK after the hurricane hit to put this "unprecedented" operation together. And can you believe Charles Sears' comment that "guerrilla-style warfare" was taking place in New Orleans? I have no doubt that conditions were bad, and officers were in danger, but I also hope that Mr. Sears doesn't believe his own overheated rhetoric.

  Chris, find some Coast Guard personnel involved in SAR and tell their stories. I'm sure it will be a whole lot more rewarding than writing PR for the Border Patrol.

  Abner Posted September 15, 2005 6:32 PM