Judicial Watch Obtains Videotape of Border Patrol Sector Chief Decrying Illegal Immigration Enforcement

(Washington, DC) -- Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it recently uncovered through the Freedom of Information Act a videotape (and transcript) of an August 15, 2007 town hall meeting on illegal immigration held in Laredo, Texas. During the meeting, held at Texas A&M International University’s campus, US Border Patrol (USBP) Laredo Sector Chief Carlos X. Carrillo disclaimed the illegal immigration and narcotics enforcement missions of the USBP.

"The Border Patrol’s job is not to stop illegal immigrants . . . The Border Patrol’s job is not to stop narcotics . . . or contraband or narcotics . . . the Border Patrol’s mission is not to do any of those things . . . The Border Patrol’s job is not to stop criminals . . . The Border Patrol’s job is to stop terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering this country," Mr. Carrillo stated.

Mr. Carrillo’s interpretation of the mission of the U.S. Border Patrol is inconsistent with the official policy of Customs and Border Protection. In an agency brochure, entitled, "CPB: Securing America’s Borders," W. Ralph Basham, Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) writes, "Denying entry to someone with terrorist ties, thwarting aggressive drug smugglers, establishing container security protocols around the world, using high-tech equipment to scan incoming vehicles, and inspecting incoming plants for dangerous pests are all part of the job…U.S. Customs and Border Protection secures America’s borders 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. We never rest. We control access to the United States, keeping out the dangerous and illegal while welcoming legitimate visitors and commerce."