Fence Bill and Free Nacho

President Bush is scheduled to sign the Secure Border Fence Act today. AP writer Deb Reichman leads her report with the political implications of the bill.

WASHINGTON (AP) - When President Bush signs a bill authorizing 700
miles of new fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border Thursday, he’ll give
GOP candidates a pre-election platform for asserting they’re tough on
illegal immigration. Yet the centerpiece of his immigration policy, a
guest worker program, remains stalled in Congress.

Securing our nation's borders is the right thing to do.

Furthermore, protecting the men and women who risk their lives to
secure the border against drug dealers, smugglers, and '€˜coyotes' is
equally important. This seems like common sense to me, but it is
nowhere to be found in the case of Border Agent Ignacio "Nacho" Ramos, and Agent Jose Alonso Compean.

In a month that has seen outrageous sentencing from the judicary,
Agents Ramos and Compean were convicted and sentenced to 11 and 12
years respectively for violating the civil rights of a drug smuggler!

Yes, You Read That Correctly. The agents were arrested, tried,
convicted, and given a draconian sentence for shooting an armed,
fleeing drug smuggler who also won a civil judgement against the United
States for $5 million

After the trial, three jurors gave sworn statements that they felt
pressure to convict, not understanding a hung jury was possible.
Attorneys for the agents sought a new trial before the sentencing, but
their request was denied.

Mr. President:  You have the power to commute these outrageous
sentences, and to grant Agents Ramos and Compean an immediate pardon.
Please do it today! While you are signing the fence bill, announce your
support for the agents who defend the border. It is the right thing to
do.