Monthly Union Meeting Location Has Changed

Local 1613 will no longer be meeting at the Holiday Inn in National City for monthly Union meetings. Starting October 14, 2008, Local 1613 monthly general membership meetings will be held at The Handlery Hotel and Resort (click for The Handlery’s website). The Handlery is located at 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108 (click address for map).

Retired DCPA Beasley's Letter to Mayor Villaraigosa

The following letter was written by retired Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Harold Beasley. Mr. Beasley served as the Deputy Chief Patrol Agent in the San Diego Sector up until he transferred to the Tucson Sector. Mr. Beasley was one of the “leaders” with the foresight to help build a successful labor-management relationship that resolved matters at the lowest possible level and avoided unnecessarily wasting Border Patrol/taxpayer money on arbitrations. Mr. Beasley was responsible for many agreements that are now being violated under the direction of Chief Fisher, who effectively destroyed the once successful relationship within days of taking over as the Chief of the San Diego Sector without any regard to the history behind the relationship or the agreements.

Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Affirms the Convictions Against Agents Ramos and Compean

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has affirmed the convictions against Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean for counts 1 through 5 and counts 11 and 12. The Court reversed and vacated counts 6 through 12 because the court determined the Border Patrol investigation was not an "official proceeding" within the meaning of the Statute.

Heat Wave Safety Tips from NOAA

Please review the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s article about Heat Wave Safety Tips (click the title above). The article also presents NOAA's National Weather Service Heat Index (see below) and explains how to understand the Heat Index.

There is an important note about the Heat Index table that must be considered when reading it: HI values were devised for shady, light wind conditions; therefore exposure to full sunlight can increase HI values by up to 15°F. In addition, strong winds with very hot, dry air can be extremely dangerous.

"The FBI - Antennae of Death"

"The FBI" is a show that aired in the 1970's. This particular episode, "The Antennae of Death" is based on the true story about Border Patrol Inspectors Theodore L. Newton Jr. and George F. Azrak (names, locations, etc. were changed, as indicated at the end of the video). Thanks to Harold Newton, brother of Theodore Newton, we received a copy of a link to this show after Harold spent time searching for the show ever since he first viewed it in the 70's. According to Harold, this episode aired on November 29, 1970. Click on the above title to view the video.

To read more about Border Patrol Insectors Newton and Azrak, click here:

The murderer, Jesus Navarro Montes

The following is a copy of the letter I sent this morning to all five San Diego members of the House of Representatives and both California Senators. I encourage all Border Patrol Agents and citizens to take action and demand a satisfactory outcome in this travesty of justice.

Local 1613 Mission

• We are the guardians of non-supervisory Border Patrol Agents and support personnel assigned to the San Diego Sector of the United States Border Patrol.
• We protect Border Patrol Agents against frivolous lawsuits, overzealous prosecutors, and unwarranted or disparate administrative actions.
• We safeguard conditions of employment, agreements, practices, employee rights, and the labor laws of the United States.
• We strive to ensure a fair and equitable workplace free from favoritism, intimidation, disparate treatment, and harassment.
• We investigate and report fraud, waste, and abuse within the Border Patrol.
• We seek to preserve the Border Patrol motto: “Honor First” and the oath of office sworn by all Border Patrol Agents.
• We promote immigration laws and policies that contribute to the security of the United States and oppose policies that restrict the sworn duties of Border Patrol Agents.
• We represent the employees with honor, judiciousness, and professionalism.