Homeland Security indeed.

Department of Homeland Security Documents Detail Mexican Government Incursions

9/6/2006 12:54:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 /U.S. Newswire/

— Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it has obtained records from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that document 226 incursions by Mexican government personnel into the United States between 1996 and 2005. Released to Judicial Watch on Aug. 28 in response to a Nov. 1, 2005, FOIA request, the records consist of annual intelligence summaries of “Mexican Government Incidents,” compiled over a nine-year period. They were designated as “limited official use” by the DHS, requiring “special protection against unauthorized or inadvertent disclosure.”

The intelligence summaries, which can be accessed via Judicial Watch’s Internet site — http://www.judicialwatch.org — provide detailed maps of the incursions, along with descriptions of other documented “incidents” involving Mexican government personnel and Border Patrol agents. The records describe incidents involving shots fired on both sides of the border, unmarked helicopters invading U.S. airspace, drug smuggling and confrontations between U.S. Border Patrol agents and armed members of the Mexican military. Among the highlights:

— Mexican Military Encounter (Armed/Threatening) Rio Grande Valley/Brownsville: “As the boat proceeded to go down river towards the scene, the (Border Patrol) Agent on board advised via radio that several Mexican soldiers were pointing their rifles in his direction. The Agent decided for his safety and the safety of the crew to turn back, but advised that the soldiers were still aiming at them.” (2005)

— Mexican Military Sighting — Tucson/Douglas Station: “The (Border Patrol) Agents were returning to their assigned area when they heard four distinct gunshots coming from Mexico. The gunshots were fired when the Agents were approximately 10 feet away.” (2005)

— Mexican Military Sighting (Armed) Laredo/Zapata: “This boat, which appeared to be a Mexican Military boat, was providing security and escort for the two others that were later found to be transporting 2,716.53 pounds of Marijuana.” (2003)

“These documents show the chaotic and dangerous situation at our nation’s border with Mexico,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “It seems as if, once again, the government is failing to secure our border.”

/© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/