US Border Patrol Agents Union-San Diego,CA -

http://www.borderpatrol1613.org

Below is the press release from Local 1613 of the National Border Patrol Council regarding an incident involving armed Mexican military entering the US and pinning down two US Border Patrol Agents. Please feel free to utilize this release and contact me with any further questions.

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L. Keith Weeks
VP Local 1613
San Diego

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[San Diego, CA]-Shortly after noon on October 24, 2000, two U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling the international border between the United States and Mexico were shot at by ten men dressed in military-style uniforms with tactical vests and carrying high-powered military rifles with bayonets.

The incident occurred in Copper Canyon, about eight miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

Almost immediately after the agents disembarked from a clearly marked Border Patrol helicopter, the soldiers fired approximately eight shots at them from Mexico. The agents took cover in thick brush and identified themselves in Spanish as Border Patrol agents, but were nonetheless pursued by some of the soldiers, who entered the United States by crossing a well-maintained barbed-wire fence.

The other Mexican soldiers set up two sniper positions, one in Mexico and the other in the United States. The soldiers searched the area, pointing their weapons in the direction of the Border Patrol agents and ordering them in Spanish to come out of the brush. The agents did not comply, but instead identified themselves again and told the soldiers to return to Mexico.

Once other Border Patrol agents neared the scene, the soldiers retreated to Mexico and drove off in a minivan.

This is the second confirmed incident this year in which Border Patrol agents have been shot at by the Mexican military. The other occurred on March 14 in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. As in the previous incident, disaster in this case was averted only through the exemplary professionalism, courage and restraint of the involved Border Patrol agents.

Local 1613 of the National Border Patrol Council, which represents over 2,100 Border Patrol employees in the San Diego area, is seeking immediate action by the governments of both nations to ensure that incursions and acts of aggression by the Mexican military cease and desist before a tragedy occurs.

For further information, contact L. Keith Weeks, Local 1613
Vice-President, at (909) 600-2566.

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