Border Injustice, Government Shame

September 7, 2007

 

I just returned from Phoenix. My mission was to deliver a stack of checks sent in by listeners to our radio show for the family of Ignacio Ramos. His friends call him Nacho. That name may not ring a bell but when I tell you he's one of two border patrol agents jailed for wounding a notorious drug smuggler, you know exactly who I'm talking about. Ramos and his co-agent, Jose Compean, are currently serving a decade sentence in federal prison.

 

In the course of attempting to apprehend a habitual drug smuggler, the two agents gave chase when the suspect exited his vehicle and tried to flee. He attacked Agent Compean in the process and, after a struggle, broke free and attempted to cross back over into Mexico. The two agents drew their weapons and ordered him to stop. The suspect turned to face them with what was described by both men as a weapon in his hand. One of the agents opened fire, wounding him in the leg. The suspect managed to continue across the border and the agents, unable to give chase, returned to base.

 

Little did they know but the drug smuggler would enlist the help of Mexican authorities and West Texas U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton in bringing charges against them. He maintained that he never carried a weapon, despite witnesses to the contrary. Sutton gave him immunity from criminal prosecution for the load of drugs he was transporting. He even gave him immunity for the next load he was caught with when he came back to America to testify. The two agents were charged and convicted of “ using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a crime.” Apparently, their “crime” was protecting our borders.

 

Roger Hedgecock, a champion in the cause of stopping illegal immigration and a top-rated talk show host from San Diego, took up the cause of a fundraiser for Nacho Ramos' family. The event was begun by the American Freedom Riders, a group headquartered in Phoenix. Roger began asking for donations on the air and asked me if I'd do the same. The response was inspiring. Members of our radio audience from around the country sent in donations to help the family cope with overwhelming legal bills.

 

It wasn't until I attended the event in Phoenix that I actually grasped the real horror of this story. Monica Ramos, Nacho's wife, is struggling with three young boys. Her job has been moved to Cleveland. She's on the verge of losing the family home. Her father has already gone through much of his retirement. Yet our government abandoned them.

 

This wasn't the first time the overzealous Johnny Sutton had struck. Another former border patrol agent spoke at the event of being mercilessly hounded by Sutton for defending himself against an illegal alien. In his case, he never drew his weapon yet he, too, was sent off to prison.

 

As Monica Ramos got up to thank the multitude who had turned out to show their support, she was overcome with emotion. Her husband was being held just a mile or so across the desert from where the event was held. Fighting back the tears, she pointed out into the warm Arizona night. “I believe my husband can hear us if we shout loud enough,” she sobbed. The crowd made sure he did.

 

Ramos' youngest brother, a boy of about ten, came up to me afterwards and politely and eloquently thanked me for coming. I could hardly muster a response.

 

Nacho Ramos' government may have abandoned him, but his country has not.