Speaker. I am on the floor today to express appreciation for the more than 12.000 U.S. Border Patrol agents who perform an invaluable service to our Nation. Though support for the U.S. Border Patrol and other law enforcement officers often goes unspoken. the American people and Members of Congress owe our sincere appreciation for these courageous men and women for their dedication to keeping our Nation safe by protecting our borders. While protecting the United States from an influx of illegal immigration. drugs. counterfeit goods. and terrorists. U.S. Border Patrol agents face highrisk situations and dangerous environments while working on our borders. Often working alone in some of the most remote and dangerous areas of the country. these agents routinely encounter heavily armed human and drug traffickers. Despite these dangerous conditions. the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol work tirelessly to protect our Nations borders. and they deserve the utmost praise for their dedication and bravery. Unfortunately. Mr. Speaker. two U.S. Border Patrol agents who deserve our appreciation have instead become victims of a grave injustice. Agents Ramos and Compean were found guilty in a Federal court for wounding a drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern border into Texas. These agents now face up to 20 years in Federal prison. Agent Ramos served the Border Patrol for 9 years and was a former nominee for Border Patrol Agent of the Year. Agent Compean had 5 years of experience as a Border Patrol agent. These agents never should have been prosecuted for their actions last year. By attempting to apprehend a Mexican drug smuggler. these agents were simply doing their job to protect the American people.
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illegal immigration Border Patrol