BORDER AGENTS: CIRCUMSTANCES DEMANDED COMMUTATIONS

Then-President George W. Bush did the right thing by commuting the
sentences of former Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso
Compean.

The two agents were convicted for shooting an unarmed Mexican drug
smuggler in 2005. Compean is serving 12 years and Ramos 11 years.

The commutations fall short of the pardons many were seeking for the
ex-agents, and the commutations certainly could have been issued much
earlier instead of waiting until the 11th hour. But at least they will
be getting out of prison, and that's as it should be.

Because they received commutations rather than pardons, the agents
will still have the convictions on their records. Also, they will both
be on probation for three years.

Few would dispute that the agents broke the law by hiding evidence and
trying to cover up the shooting. But prosecuting them using a law that
increases sentences when a gun is used in the commission of a crime
went too far. It can be strongly argued that this law wasn't meant to
apply to law-enforcement officers who carry guns all the time.

Since the agents' convictions and imprisonment, millions have rallied
to their cause nationwide. U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, echoed
the thoughts of many when he said, "Today marks the end of an
injustice. Especially as drug trafficking and violence continue to
assault our border, our Border Patrol agents should know that their
government will support and defend them as they risk their lives for
the security of our nation."

Reportedly, the commutations were issued because Bush thought the
sentences were too harsh because of the use of the gun law and because
the ex-agents have been held in isolation.

Regardless of the reason, some justice has been done in this case.