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Local 2544 Membership Meetings are on the Second Wednesday of Every Even Month - 6 p.m. - Union Office
Questions, comments, and concerns can be sent to local2544@gmail.com
We are the largest local in the Border Patrol and the largest AFGE local in District 12 (covering Arizona, Hawaii, California, and Nevada). Our voluntary membership rate is over 95% of eligible bargaining unit members in the Tucson Sector. We have over 3,300 dues-paying members in this local. Our members are the real border security experts.
Dennis Burke is Golfing, Eric Holder is Still U.S. Attorney and Brian Terry is Dead
  
Burke - Golfing Holder - Shirking Terry - Dead
01/29/12 Poor Dennis Burke. As he golfs and wonders what his future holds, here in the real world there is a good man who paid for Burke's overzealous and insatiable gun-ban quest with his life. Meanwhile, Eric Holder continues to shirk his responsibility and deflect blame. Isn't it unfortunate that a Border Patrol agent had to be shot and killed, derailing these politicians' grand scheme to further their gun ban goals. We have always supported the right of honest law-abiding Americans to carry firearms. We live in the real world, not the made-up dream world of elite politicians who are pampered, spoiled and made to feel superior by minions who aspire to be like them. Mexico has strict anti-gun laws, and look at who runs that country - the armed cartels who continually victimize a disarmed society that is unable to defend itself.
Border Patrol agents are harshly disciplined and fired for the very things that those who judge us get away with routinely. Simply disgusting.
Read more here.
Really?
"Border Patrol Chief Mike Fisher, who joined the Border Patrol in 1987, recalls apprehending the same migrant 10 times in his eight-hour shift as a young agent." AP
01/23/12 There are active duty agents here who have more time in than Mike Fisher, have made more arrests than he ever dreamed of, and have done real patrol work many more years than he ever did. His quote is simply unbelievable. To apprehend the same person 10 times in one shift is virtually impossible. Three to four times max. Even in the 1980's. Anyone caught the 2nd or 3rd time in a shift would be put in a jail cell for hours to keep them from attempting re-entry. Fisher has been hanging around his mentor David Aguilar far too long if this quote is accurate.
You can read the story here.
Out With the Bad, In With Worse (Honor Last)
Note: On January 21, 2012, Jim Kouri of the examiner.com wrote an article entitled "Obama's Border Patrol chief blasted by agents". In his article, Mr. Kouri quotes our website extensively. He even pulled up posts from our website that were more than 5 years old. A sentence in one paragraph of his article states: "A subordinate Chief Patrol Agent, Richard Barlow, touring with him hurled one raunchy joke after another at woman and overweight people, while Aguilar stood by laughing." Had Mr. Kouri stated the Chief Patrol Agent was Charlie Whittmier, the Chief Patrol Agent over the Border Patrol Academy at the time, his article would've been 100% correct.
We are always flattered to be quoted in the media, and we're grateful someone is willing to bring to light the kind of "Leader" David Aguilar is, but it is important that we correct any mistakes when the information is said to have come from us.
 
Bersin headed out - Aguilar still headed up
12-30-11 Alan Bersin couldn't get confirmed by the Senate, yet stuck around for two years on a "recess appointment". David Aguilar has more skeletons in his closet than Vincent Price, yet he is still being promoted. There is another elaborate "Change of Command Ceremony" planned to send Bersin away and install Aguilar as the new CBP commissioner. These "ceremonies" are completely unnecessary and a total waste of taxpayer dollars, especially when rank-and-file agents are facing pay freezes for years on end, budget cuts, and other austerity measures. How about we just buy a few more patrol units for the agents with that money? Aguilar's newest promotion deserves condemnation, not a ceremony.
Someone needs to take a very serious look at what happened to some of the high-ranking folks Aguilar promoted. Why did they suddenly "retire" and why was one fired? Were they worthy of positions of high public trust? Aguilar toured the country a few years ago attending Border Patrol agent musters at stations. A subordinate Chief Patrol Agent touring with him hurled one raunchy joke after another at women and overweight people, while Aguilar stood by laughing. Aguilar then showered this CPA with praise while sternly asking the agents in attendance "Does anyone want to challenge him?". The CPA doing the stand-up comedy routine for Aguilar was quite fond of himself and bragged about his exploits at length. Aguilar told agents that it wasn't our main job to arrest illegal aliens, and that we shouldn't "lower" ourselves to such a status. He repeated over and over "You are NOT immigration officers." Aguilar used offensive language while promoting himself. The real goal of his nationwide tour was to run the union down. We have audio recordings of Mr. Aguilar and some of the jokes and language he thought was so funny. If referring to female anatomy in crude terms in front of female employees and agents to make a point about how tough you are is acceptable these days, then Aguilar is certainly worthy of all the promotions he keeps getting. Any rank-and-file agent who spoke so crudely in front of a group of employees would be disciplined. Instead, David Aguilar, who is supposed to be setting the example for all this "professionalism" and "honor" that the Agency constantly hammers us about is glorified by "greatest hits" videos (of course, all the offensive and crude parts were edited out of these slick videos). The fact that Aguilar not only survives such unprofessional and raunchy displays unscathed, but is promoted over and over again, is simply unbelievable. Aguilar has repeatedly been denounced in historic and unprecedented nationwide votes of no confidence by rank-and-file agents.
The mottoes Mr. Aguilar really should be promoting to reflect his own bad behavior are Honor Last and Do As I Say, Not As I Do.
We may post a few clips of Mr. Aguilar in action soon.
Judicial Watch Announces Ten Most Corrupt Politicians for 2011 ("HONOR LAST")
 
12-29-11 Judicial Watch's list includes Eric Holder, President Obama, and Janet Napolitano. It also includes amnesty-supporting former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich. As we are constantly force fed the mind-numbing Agency mantra about "Honor First", the "mission" and our "core values", remember who runs the Agency - politicians, many of whom wouldn't recognize true bravery or honor if it slapped them upside the head. Most agents will have to weather 4 or 5 different administrations during their careers. Sadly, very few will resemble anything you can be proud to work for.
Read the article here.
New Haven, CT Mayor Wants Illegal Aliens to Vote
12/14/11 Illegal aliens should find New Haven, Connecticut a very popular destination if they happen to get by us. They will receive municipal identification cards and the mayor wants to allow them to vote. He reasons that if they pay rent and send their kids to school they should have the right to vote. This is a right that even LEGAL RESIDENT aliens don't have. Only United States citizens can vote.
Read more here.
Thank You CBP - New Consolidated Website for Retirement and Other Personnel Information
12/8/11 This is the most useful website we have ever seen in regards to personnel information and retirement calculations. It's easy to register, it's extremely useful, and every agent should start paying attention to their retirement contributions early in their careers. This is so much better than anything we've ever had in the Border Patrol that we decided to post it. Please check it out. It requires a very strong password, for obvious reasons. Again, thank you CBP for taking the time and effort to get this website up and running. We appreciate it.
The website can be accessed here.
Illegal Aliens are now "cross-border violators"
12-7-11 During mandatory Cultural and Environmental Awareness training that all Border Patrol agents must take, we learn that illegal aliens are now referred to as "cross-border violators". We further learn that we should carry lots of garbage bags and assist the "cross-border violators" in hauling out their trash and disposing of it properly. Further evidence that Border Patrol field operations have been hijacked by politically correct politicians. We are glad to know that the huge army of Border Patrol staff officer bureaucrats in D.C. are busy finding new ways to try to lobotomize rank-and-file agents so they can be transformed into politically correct robots who are afraid to make a decision or aggressively enforce the laws of this country. After all, too many arrests of "cross-border violators" would not look good for another massive amnesty program.
Illegal Aliens Start Fires?
Don't they care about our environment?
11-24-11 While Border Patrol agents spend hours and hours taking sensitivity training and being made into mini-environmentalists, illegal aliens continue to burn thousands of acres and trash huge swaths of public and private lands. Border Patrol agents have known this for many years. We know this is shocking, but they don't care about our land, our environment, our "cultural" preservation, or our laws. And why should they? While the Obama Administration and some Republican candidates like Newt Gingrich pander to them and encourage them to keep violating our immigration laws with promises of amnesty, why should they respect any of our laws?
We anxiously await new mandatory DHS and CBP training courses blaming Border Patrol agents for these fires. We are hopeful that El Centro sector can send some of their "singers" to our sector so they can entertain the illegal aliens around their campfires and make them feel more at home.
Read more about illegal aliens starting fires here.
Singers Needed in El Centro Sector
This could be you, if you play your cards right.
11-23-11 Tired of patrol work? Want to be an international singing sensation instead? El Centro Sector wants you. DHS and CBP continue to detail more and more field agents to jobs that have nothing to do with patrolling the border, arresting criminals, or directly supporting the field agents who are doing the job nobody seems to want to do anymore.
Read more on how to apply for the collateral duty of "singer" here.
So-called "Training" Courses Waste Agents' Time
You are tracking a group of illegal aliens through the Sonoran Desert and their tracks lead to this home. What do you do? A) Call for a snowmobile to forcibly penetrate the guard tower, B) Put a heavy jacket on, C) Scan the area for penguins and notify the Forest Service of a possible endangered species sighting, or C) all of the above?
11/16/11 CBP is forcing agents to endure an ever-increasing number of online training courses. Agents now spend many hours every year scrolling through mandatory courses that often have little to do with their jobs. Consider the CBP Environmental and Cultural Awareness training course. This feel-good course is very time consuming. Agents in southern Arizona are forced to learn about animals and terrain in parts of the country they will never encounter on the job. The online learning programs are so full of glitches that agents often must scroll through the entire course multiple times, clicking on every meaningless "link" in the program and waiting for the links to load, just to get "credit" for having taken it. Supervisors are pressured to make sure every agent takes the courses. Thousands of man hours are wasted on these courses. They keep coming at a feverish pace, with no letup in sight. This is classic government CYA.
Somebody please explain why agents who work in the desert have to be trained on forest trails, terrain and animals in parts of the country you have to read a National Geographic magazine to ever see. Learning about a threatened "Canada lynx" or an aquatic turtle nesting on sandy beaches hardly seems useful in the deserts of Arizona. Being asked questions like what a helicopter pilot should do about "warning lights" in his helicopter while flying over a "wilderness area" seems foolish for ground agents. Learning about "Sensor Response in the Northern Forest" of Minnesota seems a little strange for agents in Arizona. Who knows, maybe we just don't understand the "big picture".
Disgrace
President Obama and AG Holder
11/13/11 Border Patrol agents are fired for "Lack of Candor" during any type of investigation. The agency has used this charge over and over again when they believe the agent knew something that they didn't divulge during questioning (as opposed to lying about it). Apparently these rules don't apply to Eric Holder, the supposed "top cop" who can say whatever he wants during sworn testimony. Any clear-minded individual who thinks that Eric Holder didn't know about an international gun-running operation that involved hundreds or thousands of weapons and agents of the United States needs to get a grip on reality. It is simply absurd to think that this was just another investigation that Holder might vaguely remember coming across his desk. It involved too many heated international issues, and if Holder wasn't aware of every detail, as he claims, he should be fired for incompetence. Holder's testimony before Congress is disgusting on many levels. And now, the Justice Department has conveniently succeeded in sealing the court records of this case, which is despicable and un-American. We don't operate under some veil of secrecy in this country. Places like Iran and Russia do that. Shame on Eric Holder. The American people should not stand for this. The life of Brian Terry should stand for something.
Read a recent article here.
Napolitano Defends Authorizing Illegal Aliens to Work Here
10/20/11 Authorizing illegal aliens to work here when we're experiencing a 9.1% unemployment rate is a great idea. Flooding the labor market with cheap illegal alien labor will certainly help us pull out of this downward spiral we're in. Add the taxpayer funded benefits that illegal aliens use, including the free education their children receive, and you have a wonderful recipe for success, as long as you are measuring success using the standard of increasing Democrat voters and SEIU members. And the lunacy continues... Read more here.
Eric Holder and THE BIG COVERUP
President Obama and AG Holder
10-04-11 Border Patrol agents are routinely fired for any sort of lie or failure to disclose everything they know under oath. Apparently, the same rules do not apply to the "top cop" in the country. Any agent would be fired for what Holder did. Why is it that rank-and-file agents are held to such high standards while those in charge are held to such low standards? Shouldn't those in charge be setting the example? This is one more example of why the system has become a complete joke.
Another Mexican Military Incursion
09-03-11 We don't know if the allegations of Mexican troops stealing items from American hunters is true, but the allegation is out there. We do know for a fact that we have had our share of run-ins with the Mexican military here, including an incident a few years back where they opened fire on one of our agents on patrol south of Ajo with a .50 cal rifle and hit his patrol car. We noted at the time that the agent was driving a fully marked unit. The Mexican government simply denied responsibility, and our American government simply tucked its tail between its legs and did nothing. Read about the latest incident here. Don't expect our government to take any substantive action or hold anyone accountable. Remember, after another Mexican military incursion in El Paso sector where they were firing at our agents, we were forced to give them their rifles back and send them home.
Dennis Burke Resigns, Grant Woods Talks About What a Terrific Job He Did, and Agent Terry Is Dead
 Dennis Burke Grant Woods (r) Brian Terry
09-03-11 Evidence of a cover up is starting to come out. This is simply disgusting. Read more here.
8-30-11 Dennis Burke has resigned after testifying about the Fast and Furious scandal and then taking a European vacation. Not, he says, because he helped screw up the botched ATF operation that ended with the killing a good Border Patrol agent. Burke claims it was just time to move on. Grant Woods came rushing to Burke's defense in the media, saying what a great job Burke had done. Really? Woods is an anti-Border Patrol crusader who made lots of money trying to put an innocent Border Patrol agent (Nick Corbett) in jail for murder. Woods made a ridiculous statement during closing arguments, saying "We all know cops carry throw down guns. Border Patrol doesn't even need that. They just need a rock." Woods acted buffoonish during both trials and constantly referred to the illegal alien and accused gang member that tried to kill Agent Corbett as "Little Javi". Woods disgusting antics during the Corbett trials exposed him as a small man looking for a big spotlight. Read about Burke's resignation here. Another article featuring comments from Grant Woods is posted here. Both men should be ashamed. Other features on this issue are posted below. Obama/Napolitano Halt Deportations, Bypass Congress and the Will of the American People, Implement Amnesty
 
08-19-11 Local 2544 President Brandon Judd was interviewed today by KOLD 13 News. You can see the interview here.
08-18-11 This will really help morale in the Border Patrol. More of the "wait until they kill, rape, beat or molest someone here in America, then we'll deport them" logic. Any victims want to step up to the plate so they can make sure an illegal alien becomes a "felon", making him deportable under the Obama and Napolitano rules? Brilliant strategy. They say they'll deport "gang members" as well. We all feel so much safer now. The illegal alien cheerleaders (Raul Grijalva, Luis Gutierrez, etc.) will love this new strategy. Those of us who actually have to put our lives on the line and enforce the laws? Not so much.
Yuma Sector Chief "Do as I say, not as I do."
 Stephen Martin
08-17-11 In what has become routine for too many upper managers, and began under the arrogant leadership of David V. Aguilar, another sector chief pampers himself with chauffeurs and an assortment of "staff" fit for a king. How much money is wasted on elaborate "Change of command" ceremonies where these folks pat themselves on the back and act like they just conquered Germany in WWII? Read more about Mr. Martin here.
BATF Managers Linked to Fast and Furious Promoted
 Promoted Dead
08-16-11 Just one more case of high-level managers rewarding incompetence. This is yet another example of why field agents often have so little respect for some upper level managers, who are accountable to nobody and continue to be rewarded no matter how badly they screw something up. It's all about politics and kissing up. Merit and honor are just slick mottoes thrown out to the troops. Rank-and-file agents are almost always held to a much higher standard than high-level managers, contrary to policies and regulations that managers be held to a "higher standard". High-level managers who hold true to a set of principles and treat the troops fairly are often run out and discarded. This is truly disgusting. Read more here.
Another Slap in the Face to Agent Terry and His Family
Dennis Burke Brian Terry
08-12-11 Another bureaucrat behind a desk makes another insane decision. Agent Terry's family is denied "victim" status in the Fast and Furious scandal. Why? Agent Terry was a member of this Local, and we will continue to follow this case. Read more here.
Lawsuit-Happy Obama and Holder Target Alabama
Lawsuit Specialists
08-02-11 Another state is sued by the federal government for trying to do something about illegal immigration. At a time when we should be thanking them for showing some backbone and addressing the problem, we give them a nice lawsuit so we can all waste more resources to keep the laws from being enforced. These taxpayer-funded DOJ lawsuits are disgraceful. In the article linked below, a DOJ spokesperson likens the situation to only needing "one quarterback" to run the immigration enforcement show. Well, when that quarterback is sticking his tail between his legs and punting on every down, maybe it's time to get a different quarterback in the game. We realize that is rather difficult though when Head Coach Obama, Offensive Coordinator Holder, Defensive Coordinator Napolitano and Head Cheerleader Biden are only interested in votes and playing games. They don't want to win the game. Read more here.
Mexico's Unemployment About 1/2 That of the United States
07-30-11 President Obama driving our economy into the ground is helping to solve the illegal immigration problem? Read more here.
Rep. Gutierrez (D) Illinois - Declare Amnesty w/o Congressional Approval
 Rep. Luis Gutierrez - Amnesty Zealot
07-05-11 Who needs those pesky congressmen and senators to pass laws? The Constitution? Nah. Who needs a president? All we need is a monarch to rule the country and we can have another massive amnesty program with the stroke of a pen. Didn't we fight the Revolutionary War to get away from that style of "leadership"? Read more here.
AFGE President Gage Hangs Out with Radical Anti-Border Patrol Organization
  JwJ "NO human is ILLEGAL" Gage Marching with JwJ
07-01-11 AFGE President John Gage sent out an email this morning to document a trip he made to South Carolina to protest against a U.S. Congressman. Here is part of the email:
"The activists were energized by the day's outing and will continue to wage the fight on behalf of all federal employees. Joining the AFGE fight for fair pay and wages were fellow AFL-CIO members, including the South Carolina State Council, the International Association of Firefighters and the International Longshoremen's Association. Jobs with Justice also came out to support the union cause."Jobs with Justice (JwJ) is a radical organization that would love to see Border Patrol agents fired. How does it make sense that Mr. Gage is working "on behalf of all federal employees" when he lends AFGE's name and his time to hanging out and protesting with an organization that wants certain federal employees fired, and being so proud of it that he mentions their name in his email? JwJ helps place us in danger by helping and emboldening illegal aliens (they were part of the disgraceful "Immigrant Freedom Ride" a few years back as well). We don't get it Mr. Gage. You really think you are helping us with this type of reprehensible association with a radical organization that has anti-Border Patrol, anti-ICE, anti-national security, and socialist/communist leanings? Read part of the Jobs with Justice mission statement for yourself: "Now, Jobs with Justice, along with many others, is bridging the gap between the labor movement and immigrant rights groups as we explore strategies to fight for better living and working conditions for all workers, regardless of their legal status. This includes the right of immigrant workers to join a union without being intimidated by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), the right of immigrants to have access to public services such as health care and higher education, and the right of immigrants to live free of harassment and attacks in the name of “national security.”AFGE continues to shoot itself in the foot by associating with these types of groups. Every time they pull a stunt like this they slap all Border Patrol and ICE agents in the face (and we pay them to do it). It's disgraceful and it's inexcusable. These types of associations have gone on for many years now despite our protests. There is always some excuse, but there is no valid excuse for the inexcusable. Study JwJ for yourself. Would you hang out with this mob? Click here for their website.
Judicial Watch Exposes Obama Administration Payoffs to La Raza
 President Obama Pandering to Racists
06-30-11 This openly racist organization is receiving American tax dollars while they push an open borders agenda. The Obama Administration doesn't give away their own money, they give away YOUR money. Why are political payoffs taking place? What are the racists at La Raza doing with YOUR money? Read more here.
U.S. Senator - Illegal Alien Could be "Next President"
 Dick Durbin
06-30-11 Senator Durbin is unbelievably misinformed. How can a man who knows so little about our Constitution serve in the United States Senate? The United States Senate was full of ILLEGAL ALIENS yesterday as liberal senators encouraged them. Senators take the same oath we take as Border Patrol agents, to uphold and defend the Constitution. The big difference is that Border Patrol agents are actually held accountable for our actions. We are certain that the pandering Durbin could care less, but we would like to remind him that there are Border Patrol agents down here in the real world getting shot, rocked and injured trying to stop these people that Durbin is so anxious to encourage and even to crown President of the United States. Is it any wonder that our country in in such a tailspin? Read more here.
Los Angeles, Mexico
  Mexican Soccer Team (AP) Billboard in Los Angeles
06-28-11 Border Patrol agents were kicked out of Los Angeles years ago. Agents from San Diego sector who have ventured into LA in recent years have been treated like foreign invaders, and as usual, with any sort of pressure from illegal alien activists and the media, our upper brass caves in and tucks their tails between their legs. The Los Angeles Police Dept. treats illegal aliens with kid gloves, refusing to report them under a "special order" implemented years ago to protect them. The mayor of Los Angeles is a former gang member who uses race to color nearly everything he does. The recently departed governor of California is an illegal alien apologist, and the California legislature is full of illegal alien apologists. This is the beginning of the end result folks. Millions of people in California whose 1st allegiance is to Mexico, not the United States. Millions of illegal aliens roaming freely, using taxpayer funded social services, with almost zero fear of apprehension or deportation, and Border Patrol agents who are handcuffed by policies, rules, regulations and political correctness. Illegal aliens used to stay in the shadows for fear of discovery, now they openly protest by the thousands, demanding all sorts of things from our cowering politicians. The United States soccer team was booed and called dirty names before, during, and after the soccer match. This goes beyond rooting for the "home" team. It displays an arrogance and an utter lack of respect for this country. Granted, hardly anyone in the United States cares about soccer, outside of young children who play soccer in AYSO, but the hatred of this country by these "fans" is troubling, to say the least. Our country, outside of a select few, has largely become a sissified nation of politicians who are apologists. We are too often afraid to enforce our own laws in our own country, and it's disgraceful. Read more here (click on the external links in the article to get a clearer understanding of what happened).
Richard Trumka and AFL/CIO Join Forces With Radicals
  AFL/CIO's Trumka and Radical Activist Van Jones
06-25-11 One more reason why it is embarrassing and disgraceful that Border Patrol agents are forced to be associated with the AFL/CIO. These folks are constantly espousing socialist and communist views. In the past, the AFL/CIO has sponsored illegal alien protests like the "Immigrant Freedom Ride" and denigrated Border Patrol agents. When your entire game plan consists of name calling and class warfare, something is wrong. These activists constantly rant against the "super rich" (they used to just rant about taking more money away from "the rich", but recently changed it to "the super rich"). They use slick, meaningless slogans like "Si se puede". They vehemently protest that "Fox Lies" (referring to Fox News), but when confronted with providing a specific example of when Fox News lied, they can't do it (it's all on camera, and they should be embarrassed). Fox News has always treated Border Patrol agents with the utmost respect. When you get beyond the stupid slogans and dig into the real substance of what people like Van Jones advocate, it is downright scary. Ask them to give one example in the history of this world when the concepts of socialism or communism have worked. Cuba? Russia? Cambodia? Venezuela? Perhaps they think China is a great place to live and work, where people are jailed and/or killed for expressing dissent or religious views. They can't do it, but they will smile into the camera and chant slogans while trying to get you to believe that it's the way to go (without actually calling it "socialism" or "communism", instead using slogans like "Rebuilding the American Dream"). These are concepts that are adamantly opposed by the vast majority of Border Patrol agents. They also want open borders, and would love to see Border Patrol agents put out of work. "Representation" at its finest, indeed. Read more here.
Thank You CBP!
  
06-21-11 Thanks for helping the Border Patrol agents and their families who had to evacuate their homes because of the fire in the Sierra Vista area. We have had quite a few agents who have had to leave their homes under evacuation orders, and CBP's helping hand is greatly appreciated.
John Morton Continues to Embolden Illegal Aliens
John Morton (r), pictured with former Border Patrol Agent and fellow illegal alien apologist David Aguilar
06-18-11 In a move intended to appease "stakeholders", Morton is looking to "overhaul" the Secure Communities program because, get this, too many "low level" offenders are being deported. Really? Note to Mr. Morton: American citizens are the stakeholders, sir. They pay your salary, and the vast majority of them want our immigration laws enforced. Stop apologizing for enforcing laws against illegal aliens. Stop exposing more Americans to the criminal activity of illegal aliens. Please explain why you think it proper to wait for illegal aliens to commit a "serious" crime before deporting them. Please explain to future victims of illegal alien criminal acts how they were not protected because you crumble every time you're confronted by a pro-illegal alien activist. Stop acting like illegally entering this country isn't a crime. Please read criminal code 8 USC 1325 and then explain to us how it's not a crime to enter this country without permission. Read more here, from a California newspaper. It's interesting to note that California is one of the hardest-hit states by illegal immigration, they are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy and chaos, yet so many leaders in that state continue to make excuses and pander to illegal aliens.
BATFE Gun Running Operation
Border Patrol Agent Terry Pres. Obama & AG Holder
06-18-11 As the hearings continue it becomes more clear to us that the knowledge and approval of of this "operation" reaches into the highest levels of the DOJ. If anyone thinks for a second that BATFE would just knowingly let hundreds or thousands of weapons slip into Mexico without approval from the highest levels of the DOJ and possibly the White House, they should have their heads examined. International trafficking of firearms is not something a local BATFE supervisor approves. Now we have a dead Border Patrol agent, with two of the weapons found at the scene, and indications of a despicable cover-up by BATFE high-level managers. While these managers sit around their offices and make irresponsible decisions, we are on the front-lines of their little make-believe battleground getting shot at and killed. Apparently, we are "eggs" that have to be "scrambled" to further their ill-conceived investigation. AG Holder either knew about this and let it proceed, or he didn't know about it and is obviously not carrying out his supervisory responsibilities. In either case, he should not skate. The gun control lobby's call for "more laws" is not the answer. Every aspect of this gun-trafficking operation was ILLEGAL. The purchases were ILLEGAL. The exports of these firearms to Mexico were ILLEGAL. The import of these weapons back into the United States was ILLEGAL. ILLEGAL aliens in possession of firearms is ILLEGAL. Murdering Border Patrol agents is ILLEGAL. The laws were not enforced, period. We have never objected to the good law-abiding citizens of the United States purchasing and bearing arms. It is their right. Thank you to the BATFE agent who courageously came forward and exposed this debacle, and to Senator Grassley and Congressman Issa for doggedly pursuing the investigation and exposing this tragedy. We hope the proper people are held accountable. We will be watching as this continues to unfold. Read more here and here.
06-12-11 The upcoming congressional hearings on this matter will be interesting. Agent Terry's family members are scheduled to testify. Please notice that it was a grunt, not a manager, who blew the lid on this deal. Where is the leadership? Where is the accountability? Read more here.
Casa Grande Agents Arrest Man Wanted for Homicide
 Feliciano Diaz - Illegal Alien Homicide Suspect
06-02-11 Border Patrol agents in Casa Grande arrested this man. He is wanted in Iowa for a 2008 vehicular homicide. He was identified through fingerprints sent to a national database. Illegal aliens wanted for other crimes are arrested routinely by Border Patrol agents. Read more here. Meanwhile, New York Governor Cuomo has decided to protect illegal aliens in his state and he has stopped New York's participation in a fingerprint program designed to identify illegal aliens. He cited its "impact on...immigrant communities". Just how stupid is this? Well, the only fingerprints being sent in are those of people arrested and booked for other crimes in this country. If they aren't illegal aliens, they have nothing to worry about. But "critics" of the fingerprint program are concerned that it "results in the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants before they are even charged with a serious crime - much less convicted." Once again, it is absolutely stunning that there are so many who want illegal aliens to stay here until they rape, rob, murder or commit some other "serious" crime. How many more innocent people must be victimized for the citizens of this country to wake up and demand that the CRIME of illegal immigration be taken seriously? To all those who incessantly talk about illegal immigration not being a "crime", look up 8 USC 1325. Yes, it's a CRIMINAL statute. Read more about Governor Cuomo's efforts to protect illegal aliens here. Notice that the SEIU is again engaged in the protection of illegal aliens to ensure they continue to receive union dues from illegal aliens. All their "concern" about "justice" and "rights" is laughable. It's all about the dues money illegal aliens pump into their coffers.
Two Agents Killed Near Gila Bend
05-12-11 We are saddened to report that two more Border Patrol agents have been killed trying to secure our border. The vehicle the agents were occupying was struck by a train near the I-8 checkpoint. We don't have many details at this point.
While President Obama cracks jokes in El Paso, talking childishly about "moats" and "alligators", there are good people dying as they try to do the job he finds so amusing. Please forgive us if we don't see the humor in his jokes as he panders to the anti-Border Patrol open borders crowd.
Local 2544 Passes 3,000 Member Mark
3-11-11 Local 2544 recently surpassed the 3,000 member mark, and we are still growing. We have been the largest local in the Border Patrol and the largest AFGE local in District 12, covering Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and California for some time now. We are most proud of our membership percentage, which stands at more than 95% of eligible agents in the bargaining unit. We will continue to provide valuable services to our members and we will continually strive to improve those services.
New Casa Grande Station "Patrol" Units
Border Patrol Agent or Sanitation Worker?
 Border Patrol Agents Picking Up Trash on Tohono O'odham Reservation 
01-30-11 update: HQ never ceases to amaze us. Below is their response to a question about the Casa Grande station agents being ordered to pick up trash. Apparently the "lack of candor" standard only applies to rank-and-file agents they are trying to fire.
"Subject: Agent Trash Removal
Category: Operations Info
Question / Comment: Is it true that Border Patrol agents were picking up trash on the Indian Reservation In Tucson Sector? Why?
Answer: Yes, the Casa Grande Border Patrol Station participated in a community event which involved trash removal.
created at 1/28/2011 3:07 PM"
01-17-11 Teams of uniformed Border Patrol agents from the Casa Grande station are being ordered to spend their duty shifts cleaning up trash on the Tohono O'Odham Indian reservation instead of performing the police work they were hired for. This is outrageous. Border Patrol agents are not dumping trash on the reservation, nor are we responsible for cleaning up the mess. Illegal aliens, smugglers, and reservation members are dumping trash on the reservation. For example, there are thousands upon thousands of empty quart beer bottles strewn about the reservation, dumped there by tribal members. Many tribal residents dump household trash wherever it's convenient. And as we all know, illegal aliens and smugglers could care less about littering in this country. Littering by tribal members and illegal aliens on the reservation has been going on for decades.
Some Border Patrol and DHS managers have been going out of their way to appease tribal leaders for years, but this is ridiculous. Agents assigned to these trash pick-up duties report tribal members snickering at them and belittling them. We are used to that type of treatment for enforcing the law, but being forced to pick up their trash, especially while on duty and in uniform is shameful, and it needs to stop.
01-18-11 update: Our newest information indicates that agents showed up for muster at Casa Grande station and were ordered to report to the Tohono O'odham district office at Federal Route 19 and Baboquivari Park Road. They were issued sticks with nails in them and told to pick up trash along the roadsides. This was presumably in preparation for a meeting with tribal leaders at the District office so that certain BP managers could ingratiate themselves to the tribal leaders. We are disgusted by these actions.
There is a very high unemployment rate on the reservation, and in the country as a whole. The tribe is bringing in millions of dollars in casino revenue. How is it feasible that with an out-of-control border we are assigning Border Patrol agents to do work that many states and municipalities assign prisoners to perform? It is a minimum wage job that takes almost zero job skills, and this is how management decides to utilize Border Patrol manpower?
Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry Killed Near Nogales
12-29-10 We would like to clarify two rumors that are being widely circulated. We have never received any information that Agent Terry was hit by "friendly fire". We are 99.9% certain that he was hit by the bandits. We also do not believe the rumors that the suspected bandit was airlifted before Agent Terry by any sort of design. A medevac flew in for Agent Terry with a doctor on board. That doctor pronounced Agent Terry dead at the scene. A second medevac came in and airlifted the suspect out.
12-27-10 We are posting a link to a local blog. To be clear, the Agency tells us nothing about most of these incidents. We glean information through the grapevine and although certain elements within our Local do obtain information through the representational process with those involved in this shooting and other incidents, we are not at liberty to divulge any of that information, and rightly so. We fiercely protect the confidentiality of our members and our job is to guide them through what can be a challenging criminal, civil, and/or administrative process. We agree with this blogger though, in that the Agency does an extremely poor job of getting useful information out, which leads to all kinds of wild speculation. Our understanding is that there is an "ops plan" out there somewhere, wherein this encounter was planned and which guided the BORTAC agents. We haven't seen it, and nobody seems to know where it is. Read the blog here.
12-24-10 As usual, Border Patrol agents learn more about what's going on through the media than from the Agency we work for. An interesting story is posted here.
12-23-10 Secretary Napolitano is questioned by a news crew about border security and the feelings of Agent Terry's family members. Remember when President Obama is praised for doing so much to protect the border that not too long ago he was requesting CUTS in Border Patrol staffing levels. As with most politicians, talk is extremely cheap, but their actions usually display their true feelings. Read a story and watch a video here.
12-23-10 Terry's family rips into Napolitano and Obama. Read the story here.
12-17-10 There have been reports circulating that Agent Terry and others were armed only with "bean bag" rounds and "rubber bullets". These reports are not true. Without commenting on whether any "bean bag" rounds were involved or appropriate in this particular incident, we can say with absolute certainty that no agent would be deployed out in the field under any circumstances, and particularly in an extreme danger zone such as this, without real guns and real bullets at their disposal.
12-16-10 Local 2544 President Brandon Judd appears on NBC News San Diego here. Donations to the surviving family can be made here: Fifth Third Bank (www.53.com) Account Name: Brian Allen TerryAccount Number: 9513164278Routing Number: 072405455Phone Number: 800-972-3030
12-15-10 Agent Terry was a member of Local 2544. We believe he was killed by illegal alien "bandits" north of Nogales during a shootout. He was assigned to the Naco station and he was a member of BORTAC. By all accounts he was a great agent.
This is one more example of the sacrifices made by front-line agents to secure this country.
Local 2544 is giving $8,000 to surviving family members so they can fly in from out of state and make funeral arrangements for Agent Terry.
Local 2544 Attorney Defends Agent in Shooting
11-20-10 Click here for the link.
National Guard Troops
Brandon Judd
10-9-10 Local 2544 President Brandon Judd is quoted in two articles regarding the deployment. Click here and here.
The Arizona Republic story was written by the same man about whom we posted this back in June:
Arizona Republic and "Reporter" Dennis Wagner Declare in a "News" Article that the Border Cannot be Secured
6-20-10 This is the type of thing we have come to expect from many "news" outlets. Instead of reporting "news", they publish political activist opinion pieces and call them "news". This "reporter" is so far off base that it is almost comical. For instance, he concludes that there is no way our border can be secured, and compares the border to a jail. He reasons that even jails have escapes, and can never be declared "secure". Therefore, the demands for a "secure" border are fantasies and are only designed to hold up what he considers "immigration reform". Amnesty does not work. We already tried it. It was an unmitigated disaster. It is shameful that this is what passes for a "news" story these days in what is supposed to be a mainstream "news"paper. Lewis and Clark cracked the western frontier, and we sent a man to the moon, but according to Dennis Wagner and the Arizona Republic, there is no way to secure our borders. We disagree. It can be done, and much more quickly than people think.Read the "news" story here.
Death of Casa Grande Agent
Update 9-3-10 The latest information we have on this is that an alleged drunk driver pulled out in front of the agent, causing the agent to swerve and roll his patrol car. We also learned that the agent has two sons, not a son and a daughter.
9-2-10 We are saddened to report the death of an agent assigned to the Casa Grande station. The agent was killed in an on-duty vehicle accident this morning. The agent leaves behind a wife, a son, and a daughter (ages 8 and 3). Local 2544 has issued a check for $8,000 to the widow to cover immediate expenses.
An agent from the Ajo station was involved in another on-duty vehicle accident this morning resulting in serious injuries, but he is expected to survive.
Please be careful driving long distances after your shift. We have lost far too many agents in single vehicle accidents, many of whom were exhausted and fell asleep behind the wheel. We do not have any of the facts surrounding these two accidents, and we're unsure of the circumstances involved.
Another Agent Attacked With Rocks - Mexico Then Attacks the Agent for Defending Himself
News story here - our comments and photos are below.
Some Mexican politicians now blame the shooting on the "Arizona law" - we're not making this up. Read the story here.
06-09-10 The government of Mexico is so anxious to blame Border Patrol agents for these rock attacks and the resultant shootings that they make outrageous statements, but they forget that we often have access to video and other proof that dismantles their hysterical claims. Once again, an agent comes under attack with rocks, and according to the open-borders fanatics and the Mexican government he is supposed to either run away or allow himself to be pummeled and possibly killed. It doesn't work that way. We are issued weapons to defend ourselves for a reason.
Throwing rocks and other items at Border Patrol agents is not some innocent little game. It's extremely dangerous, and we have the proof. We have a long list of agents who have been severely injured, disabled, and harmed by rock attacks. The Mexican government should spend more time cleaning up their country and dissuading their people from committing the criminal act of border jumping. They should spend more time and effort educating their people about the perils of attacking Border Patrol agents with rocks, tires, concrete, or anything else that can severely injure or kill.
Let's not forget, if these assailants are successful in knocking an agent out with a rock or some other projectile, they have access to the agent's weapons, vehicle, and two-way radio. Once an agent is immobilized they can do anything they want with the agent, including killing him. We recently had an agent brutally murdered on the border in California after an attack. He left behind a wife and two small children. Tell his family that we should not have the right to defend ourselves.
Here are recent pictures of a Border Patrol agent who was attacked with rocks. He received lacerations, broken bones, and had to undergo surgery to repair the damage. He could have easily lost an eye or been killed. Don't fall for the hysteria of the open-borders crowd and the Mexican government. They just want us to stop patrolling the border because they want endless illegal immigration. Our country cannot afford that any more. Our agents pay the price for this out-of-control border mess every single day, and we are not the bad guys. The politicians who pander to illegal aliens and endlessly talk about amnesty and a "path to citizenship" should be ashamed. They simply encourage more illegal aliens to jump the border, which inevitably leads to more violence.
Agent assaulted with rocks and other items in March of 2010. Severe lacerations, broken bones, and surgery to repair damage.
Here is the "rock" that hit him in the face.
Broken out window of this patrol vehicle was the result of a motorcycle tire/wheel assembly that was launched at an agent.
Don't think projectiles like this are dangerous? This could have seriously injured or killed an agent. To those who say we shouldn't defend ourselves against such attacks, spend a day in our shoes before you judge so harshly.
Local 2544 President Stepping Down
05-18-10 After 8+ years as president of Local 2544, I have decided it's time to move on. I am resigning, effective June 1st. I'm proud of our accomplishments in this Local, and I believe we are one of the strongest locals in the nation. I have worked with some extremely talented and dedicated people over the years. I started as a health and safety officer at Tucson station, later serving as a steward and chief steward. I joined the Local 2544 executive board as the secretary, and later served as vice president. I was elected president in October of 2001. We began with less than 500 members and a membership percentage hovering around 50%, and we've grown to nearly 3,000 members and a membership percentage of about 95%.
I am a proud second generation Border Patrol agent. My father began with the Border Patrol at the Yuma station in the 1950's. I also have a younger brother who is a K9 handler with CBP. I have had the opportunity to perform a wide variety of duties in the Border Patrol. In addition to regular patrol duties, I worked in one of the original Tucson Sector motorcycle units, taught Spanish at the Academy for two sessions, worked in the Roadrunner (fast car) Program, worked three years with a K9 partner, and spent one year on a DEA unit and one year on the Tucson PD (SMART) team. I also worked for a year on the mountain bike unit. I have been assigned to my original duty station (Tucson) for more than 24 years.
I want to thank everyone I've worked with over the years. We had some tough times in this Local from about 2000 to 2002 when a few managers and INS attorneys tried to shut us down by cutting off all our official time. To all those who stuck with me, weathered the storm, and helped build this Local over the last decade or so, thank you!
Douglas Shooting
Update 1-6-10 Local 2544 VP Keith Bocharski can be seen in a television news clip about this shooting here. (1-25-10 Video is no longer available)
1-5-10 There was a deadly force incident in Douglas involving several union members yesterday morning. Due to the ongoing investigation we will not comment on the particulars at this time. However, we will emphatically state that the actions of the agents involved were necessary and justifiable. A criminal alien placed our agents in a situation where they had no choice but to take decisive and forceful action. We would like to thank Douglas station management, especially new Patrol Agent In Charge Timothy Sullivan, and Assistant Patrol Agent In Charge Michael Hyatt for their professionalism and cooperation during this incident. They knew their responsibilities and carried them out in a competent manner. We are optimistic the investigation will proceed without complication. The level of professionalism portrayed by by these managers is appreciated and a reflection of the cooperative leadership provided by Chief Gilbert during his tenure here. We would like to recognize Local 2544 Attorney Jim Calle, Vice President Keith Bocharski and Douglas Station Steward David Ruiz for their excellent work related to this shooting incident. They worked tirelessly to ensure the rights of the involved agents were protected. We are fortunate to have knowledgeable attorneys and union reps to assist agents in times of dire need. Violence along the border continues to increase. Last week during an encounter with armed drug smugglers, an agent was shot in the performance of his duties. Approximately three weeks ago, an agent was struck in the head and knocked unconscious by a group of rock throwing aliens trying to evade apprehension. We are happy to report both agents are recovering, but it appears the agent who was shot will have long term complications due to his injury. Although deadly force incidents are increasing at alarming rates, it is comforting to know we have dedicated men and women patrolling our borders in an effort to safeguard our nation. In closing, we would like to point out that Border Patrol agents are trained to shoot at "center mass" when stopping a threat. We are not trick shot artists, and the anti-Border Patrol activists who publicly suggest we should shoot suspects in an extremity when we are under attack by rock throwing aliens are misguided and obviously know nothing of law enforcement operations. Here is a reminder of what rocks can do to Border Patrol agents. Rock throwing is not a game, it's not funny, and it's extremely dangerous. This Tucson Sector agent was struck in the head with a large rock and is fortunate he wasn't killed. 
Health and Safety Issues
12-18-09 In an effort to better serve our members we have a dedicated e-mail address for health and safety concerns, questions, or suggestions. Please e-mail nbpc2544hs@gmail.com with any H&S issues you would like us to address.
Local 2544 Sends Representatives to Training
12-1-09 Local 2544 recently sent three of its representatives to a 1-week training course in Chicago so that we can effectively help our members with OWCP claims. The training was completed about a week ago and members will see an increased response to OWCP issues from the Local in the near future. More info to follow.
Local 2544 currently has four representatives attending a 1-week internal affairs training class in Nevada. This will help us continue to represent our members in increasingly complicated internal affairs interviews.
We will continue to utilize our attorneys in internal affairs issues, but we often have to send Local representatives to interviews because of time constraints and case conflicts.
Willcox Station Managers 10-8
11-2-09 Union representatives from the Willcox station report that they are very happy with station managers Craig Weinbrenner, Gary Robison, Barry Billeaudeau, G. Boone, and others. The managers were praised for being open to suggestions, working closely with the Chief Steward, and finding fair solutions to problems, in the best interests of everyone involved. The Union reps appreciate that the managers work issues with the Union early in order to keep them from becoming bigger issues. They also work closely with the Union reps to make sure training and detail selections are fair.
We would like to thank these managers for resolving problems at the station level and keeping their troops happy.
Naco K9 Agent Injured
10-29-09 During the early morning hours of Friday, October 16th, a Canine Handler from the Naco Border Patrol Station was seriously injured while tracking a group of drug smugglers to a house. The agent was transported to the University Medical Center Trauma Unit for treatment. While at the trauma center, Assitant Chief Patrol Agent Roy Hoats, as well as Canine Supervisory Border Patrol Agents Ruben Ornelas, Chris Jbarra, and Dave Burke visited the agent to ensure his well being. Several Agents from the canine unit also visited in a show of support. Peer support stood by his side, helping his wife with their two young children during the time he was in the trauma center. Needless to say, the agent was truly grateful for the outpouring of concern he received from his Border Patrol Family.
The help and concern for the agent continues. Many co-workers have contacted the agent and his wife to help. He has had his lawn mowed, meals have been brought in, and dog poop has been "scooped" from his well-manicured lawn. On Saturday, Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge John Nieves, on his own time, stopped by the agent's home to visit with him and to bring him a book and magazine to assist in alleviating the agent's boredom. All these acts of kindness by members of the Border Patrol Family, however small, have been received with gratitude.
This is another example of the great fraternity that exists in the United States Border Patrol.
(Note from the Local 2544 president: A Local 2544 VP who submitted this story for posting failed to mention that he spent most of the day at the hospital with the agent after he was injured. He helped care for the agent's children so that the agent's wife could be with him in a part of the hospital where children were not allowed. The VP was on annual leave.)
Local 2544 Files ULP Charge on ICE-OPR
10-1-09 We have filed a ULP charge against ICE-OPR Agents Martin Suarez and Wendy Lockwood for violating the rights of our members at the Sonoita Border Patrol station. It is always disconcerting when those who are charged with investigating Border Patrol agents for "breaking the rules" think it is alright to break rules themselves.
As a reminder to our members, when ICE-OPR or OIG show up unannounced at your station and urge you to give a "voluntary statement" without the benefit of Union representation, alarm bells should go off in your head. They are usually on a fishing expedition, and if you think for one second that your "voluntary statement" can't come back to bite you, no matter how "innocent" you are, you should probably choose a different career. ICE-OPR and OIG have the authority to compel agents to give statements. When they don't exercise that authority you should be very wary. If they use the word "criminal" at any time, you should immediately call LDF. If they refuse to identify you as a "suspect" or a "witness" with statements like "We don't know if you're a suspect or a witness until you answer our questions.", you should immediately call LDF.
If you believe that simply doing your job can't land you in a world of trouble, you better do some research on the Nick Corbett case. If you believe that giving "voluntary statements" can't land you in a world of trouble, you better do some research on the Nick Corbett case.
The ULP charge can be seen HERE.
Congresswoman Giffords Recognizes Local 2544
 (Left to right) Local 2544 President Edward Tuffly addressing the assembled media, Tucson Sector Chief Robert Gilbert, & Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Congresswoman Giffords, Chief Gilbert, President Tuffly8-14-09 On 8-4-09 Congresswoman Giffords presented copies of her words in the Congressional Record, recognizing the leadership of Tucson Sector and Local 2544. We appreciate that Congresswoman Giffords listens to our concerns and ideas as representatives of the front-line agents in this Sector. She has always been willing to meet with us and discuss issues.
The statement entered into the Congressional Record, in pertinent part, is as follows:
"The daily work of the Border Patrol is conducted by a force of hard working agents who carry out their duty with honor and distinction in some of the most rugged terrain in the nation. I am proud of the relationship we have established with the Executive Board of the National Border Patrol Council, Local 2544, which represents the agents who work in the Tucson Sector. The agents on the ground are capably represented by Edward Tuffly, Local 2544 President, and the members of his Executive Board, Richard Martinez, Arturo Del Cueto. David Hull, and Kurt Kelley. They keep me apprised of the needs and concerns of their members so that I can better fight for the resources that they must have to safely and effectively do their jobs."
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- We are the largest local in the Border Patrol.
- We are the largest local in AFGE's 12th District. The 12th District covers Arizona, California, Nevada, and Hawaii.
- Local 2544 represents non-supervisory agents in the busiest sector of the Border Patrol.
- Local 2544 covers most of the state of Arizona, excluding Yuma and La Paz counties.
- Local 2544 executive board officers and chief stewards are all active duty Border Patrol agents.
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