MINUTEMAN SUPPORTER LAUDS BUSH DECISION ON AGENTS

A Santa Clarita Valley Minuteman supporter lauded President George W. Bush
for commuting the prison sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean,
former U.S. Border Patrol agents convicted for shooting a Mexican drug
dealer.

"We're exhilarated that Bush, on his last day in office, has decided to
commute the sentences of Ramos and Compean," said Roger Gitlin, who
organized a Minuteman rally in Santa Clarita in June 2008.

"Unfortunately, he could not pardon them because of the rules and
regulations regarding pardons," Gitlin said. "People who are convicted of
such crimes have to serve a sentence of five years ... that's why they
weren't pardoned."

Republican and Democratic members of Congress argued the agents were
merely doing their jobs, defending the American border against criminals.

"We're thrilled for the Ramos and Compean families who now have their
loved ones back with them," Gitlin said. "I'm happy that Bush decided
these men have suffered enough.

"I personally consider Ramos and Compean to be true American heroes. They
worked to protect our border and they deserve our praise, not our
indignation."

The debate spurred a "Honor America/Secure our Border" rally of more than
200 local residents, activists and members of the Santa Clarita and
Antelope valleys' Minutemen, led by Gitlin outside the Santa Clarita
Valley Civic Center in June 2008.

Supporters voiced their concerns about illegal immigration and support for
Ramos during the rally.

Santa Clarita Valley Democrat and recent state assembly candidate Carole
Lutness supported Bush's move but said there are bigger issues involved.

"As long as agri-business controls our borders the INS will not be fully
funded," Lutness said. "Because of that, we have no real green card system
that would allow us to monitor and track who is admitted to this country.
Therefore vicious criminals can slip in because INS does not have the
manpower to guard our borders."

Bush didn't pardon the men for their crimes, but decided instead to
commute their sentences because he believed they were excessive and that
they had already suffered the loss of their jobs, freedom and reputations,
a senior administration official said.

The agents were fired after their convictions on several charges,
including assault with a dangerous weapon and with serious bodily injury,
violation of civil rights and obstruction of justice. All their
convictions, except obstruction of justice, were upheld on appeal.

Ramos and Compean were sentenced to 12 years and 11 years in prison,
respectively. They each also were fined $2,000 and sentenced to three
years of supervised release. Under the terms of Bush's commutation, their
prison sentences will expire on March 20, but their three-year terms of
supervised release and the fines will remain intact.

"The Minutemen are a neighborhood watch group that helps the government
secure the border for contraband, drugs and human traffic," said Gitlin.
"It also brings attention to the illegal immigration problem that is
besetting all communities in our country, including Santa Clarita, and
asks the government to enforce immigration laws."