Ranchers Treated By Border Patrol As An Impediment Instead Of A Partner. Southern Border Getting Scary!

We grew up on a ranch and can empathize with many things that John Ladd mentions in the accompanying piece. Having a fence cut, a gate left open or threatening to kill the rancher's dogs  are more than an irritant, it is a potentially disastrous situation which could have monetary and civil ramifications.  For example, if an animal gets out of the fenced area and gets onto a road, it could cause an auto accident for which the owner (and not the Patrol) would be responsible.

On the other hand, the Border Patrol must have access to these areas.  They, on the one hand should respect the gates and fences by closing the gates and not destroying the fences. On the other, they should not be prevented from doing their work. 

As far as calling the rancher on his phone to determine if he was indeed in a certain area, driving a specific truck, we believe he should cooperate.  How long does it take to let them know that it is indeed you in the "south 40"?  

The Border Patrol does have responsibilities but they must remember that this is the US and we do have private property laws which they should respect. The ranchers must also understand that they need to cooperate to help stem the tide of illegal immigrants, contraband and other illegal activities that come through the Southern border.

We would like to see cooperation, however, with the militarization of the Border Patrol and other police agencies, that seems to be more of a dream than a reality. Police, of all brands, look at civilians as obstacles rather than their employers. This is part of the decay of America and the hostility shown by the police is clearly shown by Mr. Ladd. This continues to be a sad day in this country.

Conservative Tom

Heavy-Handed Federal Border Patrol Hurts U.S. Ranchers

May 5, 2014 by Personal Liberty News Desk 

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Many conservative Americans who despise the increasingly-militarized police state tactics showing up throughout the Nation are unwittingly advocating for citizens and landowners in States along the Border to endure such abuse. This video provides evidence of why throwing money at the U.S.’s border with Mexico without first fixing the bureaucratic problems in Federal Border Patrol efforts is hurting American citizens.

Via The American Civil Liberties Union:

Rancher John Ladd used to cooperate with the Border Patrol, but he and other ranchers are fed up with Border Patrol agents patrolling their land at will, cutting through fences, and even running over valuable cattle.   Problems such as those experienced by Ladd are on the rise as the number of Border Patrol agents has doubled since 2003. About 85 percent of its force is deployed at the Southwestern border, or about 10 agents per mile. The federal government now spends some $19 billion annually on border security. Customs and Border Protected (CBP), the agency in charge of Border Patrol, is now the largest law enforcement agency in the country. The government itself acknowledges that many Border Patrol agents are inadequately trained and do not understand the agency’s policies.

Moreover, CBP claims broad authority within 100 miles of any external U.S. border where constitutional protections against arbitrary stops and searches don’t apply. As John Ladd’s story so aptly illustrates, CBP is also able to enter private lands within 25 miles of a border without permission. The “100-Mile Rule” has never been subjected to meaningful debate or scrutiny in Congress, yet it’s created what some call a “constitution free zone.” There is nothing in the record to indicate whether the Justice Department’s designation of 100 miles as a “reasonable distance” was anything other than an arbitrary selection.

The surveillance cameras and sensors installed on John Ladd’s property are now part of daily life on the militarized southern border. Some members of Congress are talking about spending an additional $46 billion on CBP and adding 20,000 more Border Patrol agents. Dumping more money and resources into enforcement in the name of “border security” won’t solve the immigration problem. Instead it’s likely to multiply the kind rights violations to which border residents are subjected.