By Sergio Arellano-Oros
Border Patrol agents say that Congressman Ron Barber “has been a terrific ally for rank-and-file Border Patrol agents,” while “Napolitano likes photo ops with uniformed managers (they are forced to stand with her and look official for the cameras – even though 99% of them don’t support her).”
The comments come after Barber hosted a briefing for House members and staff featuring five officials from the National Border Patrol Council, the union representing Border Patrol agents.
Agents say that Barber “always includes us in discussions on border issues and is genuinely interested in our opinions on topics that relate to border security and Border Patrol agents. We do not take this support for granted. Many politicians bypass us completely.”
And Bypass they do, this month Napolitano showed up for a few photo ops, and only spent 2 days on the massive border and according to agents “did not spend time with rank-and-file agents.”
Instead they say “flyovers and being helped up on a half-dead horse for a photo op is not “working the border.”
“Secretary Napolitano is simply selling a product. That product is called amnesty. Her press conferences belong on a late-night informercial. We recommend hiring a salesman with a thick British accent to further confuse the people watching since that seems to be a popular sales tactic the last few years,” representatives say on a local agent union website. “Salesmen must seem more knowledgeable or cute if they have a British accent. Maybe Secretary Napolitano can take a few classes and learn the British accent herself so that when she tries to sell herself as a hardened “law enforcement officer” with lines like “I’ve worked that border for 20 years.” and “I know every inch of that border.”
Agents say that they “have been sold down the river, and we find it disgusting.”
On the other hand, the agents that while they “are not prone to praising politicians and we hold them accountable, but we also believe in informing everyone when a politician genuinely and consistently supports us.” As a result, they have been vocal in their appreciation for Barber’s effort on their behalf.
In recent weeks, Barber listened to more than 150 Border Patrol agents and their families in two Southern Arizona gatherings. Leaders of Local 2544 of the Border Patrol Council invited Barber to speak to agents at meetings in Sierra Vista and Tucson.
While many consider Barber’s demand for a pay cut to be a simple political stunt, it has been successful in bringing attention to the cuts proposed by Napolitano.