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Border Patrol Press Conference Related Documents Request to Commute Sentences of Ramos and Compean

Washington, Nov 20 - During today's press conference, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) joined his colleagues to request that Mr. Ronald Rogers, Pardon Attorney, submit his recommendation to the President to commute the sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.

"It is incomprehensible to me that an illegal alien drug smuggler was allowed to violate his immunity agreement, be granted a series of unlimited visas to roam free, and continue his drug smuggling in our country, while two border patrol agents were given excessive prison sentences," said Royce.

In 2005, U.S. Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean pursued Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, a Mexican national suspected of drug smuggling, as he fled to Mexico. Davila's van contained 743 pounds of marijuana - a street value of $1 million. Ramos and Compean were sentenced to 11 and 12 years in prison respectively, while Davila not only received immunity but also continued to smuggle drugs into our country while testifying.

"I traveled to the border in 2004 and witnessed first hand the challenges the brave men and women of the Border Patrol face every day as they head out to do their jobs and protect us. The message sent by giving Ramos and Compean such harsh sentences hurts morale and sends a debilitating message to those Border Patrol agents that are putting their lives on the line daily," said Royce.

Royce added, "The application of 18 U.S.C. 924 (c), which carries a mandatory 10-year minimum sentence, was a grotesque interpretation of the law. The original intent of this legislation was to prevent criminals from using a gun during the commission of a crime - not law enforcement officers who discharge their weapons in the line of duty."

To view the letter sent to Mr. Ronald Rogers, Pardon Attorney, please click here.