U.S. Border Patrol agents, charged with patrolling and assuring the security of the U.S.-Mexican border, are understandably angered by the fact that their uniforms are made in Mexico. Their pants and shirts even display labels stating "Made in Mexico." And, it's not just the irony of the situation that's troubling, the agents are concerned about the impact on border security.
Good question. Although impersonating a law enforcement officer is illegal in the U.S., I have no confidence that the same holds true in Mexico. In fact, for those with enough money for bribes, nothing is illegal in Mexico.
A company based in Nashville, Tennessee, called VF Solutions supplies the uniforms and subcontracts work to Mexico and other countries. VF Solutions has been providing Mexican-made uniforms to the Border Patrol for about a year with no instances of misuse reported. Customs officials assert that security measures, including on-site inspections at the Mexican production facility, are in place. Excuse me for not feeling warm and fuzzy about this. It's Mexico, dammit! You can't rely upon anything south of the border except for the paramount importance of the U.S. dollar.
Congress is expected to address enhancements to border security soon. Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., and Rep. Carter plan to introduce a measure which would require that U.S. Border Patrol uniforms be made in the United States. I think it's a good idea. Criminals and terrorists don't need to be facilitated in their lawbreaking and being able to obtain Border Patrol uniforms does just that. And if they can't be made in the U.S., at least take the "Made in Mexico" label off the garments. I can easily understand why some agents might start each work shift with an attitude of anger and frustration.
1
'cause they're doing their job and keeping the cheap labor south of the border.
Posted by: Rodney Dill at November 28, 2005 05:08 AM (tGTSA)
2
We are everyone and we are no one.
Posted by: Agent Smith at November 28, 2005 05:40 AM (OM64d)
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If they have the uniforms made in Mexico to save money, why don't they just hire illegal aliens over here to make them like everyone else does?
[/sarcasm]
Posted by: Oyster at November 28, 2005 06:04 AM (YudAC)
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You know, this would just be funny if it were not so serious. The contract the government has with these people should have required that the uniforms be made in the US. I know of a company right here in the US, very close to where I live, that is making uniforms for the Coast Guard and the Iraqi National Guard. They could easily make uniforms for the Border Patrol. I blame Bush, the Congress and the idiots in charge of procurement for this stupidity.
When are we ever going to be concerned about the people of the US, rather than foreigners? I tell you, I am sick...sick of it!
Posted by: jesusland joe at November 28, 2005 09:10 AM (rUyw4)
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And this is a real issue? I don't get it.
Posted by: hondo at November 28, 2005 09:57 AM (Jvmry)
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I only wish this were even really news. This does however remind me of something that happened a few years ago. A guy I knew managed a hosiery mill near here, and had a hard time finding dependable employees, even with a competitive wage, so he resorted to hiring immigrants, who proved far more reliable. One of his problems was that his American employees kept trying to unionize, regardless of the fact that his was the only company for forty miles in any direction that offered regular hours, good wages, and benefits. He had a hard enough time finding people who would do the work, which was basically standing at a sock knitting machine all day, and hardly sweatshop labor. The fact that the few regular employees wanted double the money, paid holidays, and paid benefits, combined with more competition in the market, forced him to hire immigrants, which worked for a while, but then the owner told him he was going to move the plant to Honduras or shut down completely because even with the more cost effective immigrant labor, he still couldn't pay the bills, which were mainly taxes and payroll.
The result was that the plant moved to Honduras, where they pay a high wage for the region, and they remain profitable while investing in the local community, building a medical clinic and helping build a better school. They didn't move to exploit the poor, but to survive, and until more people get their heads out of their asses and figure out that businesses can't compete if they have a crushing tax burden and constant harassment from unions and corrupt politicians, we're going to keep losing jobs.
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at November 28, 2005 11:38 AM (0yYS2)
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Maxie makes a good point - and there are others.
Some of my winter veggies and fruit are from Mexico. Some of my oil, and other items too along with an occasional beer.
Delivered by trucks (GM n' others), processed by machinery
(AMF, CAT, and so on).
I could go on with an enormous list - but what's the point.
How did uniforms become an issue of any significance?
Posted by: hondo at November 28, 2005 11:57 AM (Jvmry)
Posted by: thirdee at November 28, 2005 12:29 PM (WOh+m)
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hondo, it's not really that big an issue unless we find that security isn't good enough to keep the uniforms out of the hands of the wrong guys. And besides, it's also the irony that they're making uniforms for the guys who are charged with keeping them out.
And IM is right in that it's also ironic that those who want to punish corporations who give them jobs, punish and bleed them enough to keep them from staying viable, complain the loudest when the jobs go elsewhere or they're forced to raise prices for their products.
Posted by: Oyster at November 28, 2005 01:46 PM (fl6E1)
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Oyster,
I have been to Mexico numerous times and I can categorically tell you that security in Mexico is a problem. If a drug dealer or smuggler wanted these uniforms it would be doable.
As for US companies who do the work, I know of a company that is making uniforms for the Coast Guard and the Iraqi National Guard. I know they could make uniforms for the Border Patrol. The uniforms are similar.
Posted by: jesusland joe at November 28, 2005 02:14 PM (rUyw4)
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The security of these uniforms is a moot point considering that my Korean tailor at Ft. Bragg could replicate any uniform from a picture. It's only haberdashery, not rocket science.
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at November 28, 2005 03:01 PM (0yYS2)
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So the bad guys get their paws on some uniforms. So what? Just because they have a border patrol uniform doesn't mean they have free reign of the border. Do people think that agents in uniform can just walk across the border whenever and wherever they want to? US agents cannot cross into Mexico while on routine patrol nor can Mexican agents cross into the US. If they do they are detained. It's happened before. As for complaining about the uniforms being made in Mexico, it's just plain economics. If you want everything made in the good old US, then stop complaining about high prices. Also, due to marking rulings of US Customs, only the end-user can remove the tag that says made in Mexico...and that would be the agent who has to wear it. Jeez, no ones happy unless they're complaining about something or other.
Posted by: Jaba at November 28, 2005 03:19 PM (k6t0T)
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Yeah, well, Jaba the Hut, I'm real pissed about the lack of security on the Mexican border and Mike has been kind enough to post about the fact that uniforms of our Border Patrol are made in the foreign country whose nationals are most likely to ILLIGALLY cross our border. And since this is a political blog designed for comments, well, hell, I decided to comment.
Posted by: jesusland joe at November 28, 2005 03:27 PM (rUyw4)
Posted by: Oyster at November 28, 2005 04:37 PM (fl6E1)
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i think that the US agents are doing a really bad job securing our borders. we always hear of mexican druglords (that end up in prison).... but what happens with the bus full of drugs that crosses the border? where does it goes? who takes care of it? we never hear from the mafia in this side of the border, i think that our government is the one lacking security...
vote democrat
Posted by: alec lauridsden at November 28, 2005 07:16 PM (Ewu0l)
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Jeez guys if ANYONE wants a uniform all you have to do is go to the Uniform Store in your own state. I would recommend ebay though, cheaper and it comes with that "worn in look".
Posted by: john ryan at November 28, 2005 07:33 PM (ads7K)
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John Ryan,
Are you trying to take the place of Downing Steeet Memo? Your posts are becoming more and more incoherant.
Posted by: jesusland joe at November 28, 2005 08:03 PM (rUyw4)
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Anomaly Detected - begin search "Downing Street Memo"
"Downing Street Memo IV" is a certifiable lunatic who through incoherent rants and "Bush Derangement Syndrome" had plagued the Jawa Report. DSM IV, in a final, rude and unrepeatable insult, moved to Venezuela to teach English in a Bolivarian Circle.
Agent Brown says DSM IV may have moved to Cuba and have used Venezuela as a plausible cover. DSM IV was photographed wearing sunglasses at a large Washington rally.
Agent Jones says "DSM IV" is shorthand for "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition".
Posted by: Agent Smith at November 29, 2005 06:22 AM (hNv1g)
Posted by: actus at November 29, 2005 07:24 AM (Zi15r)
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Yeah, union made uniforms have a magic spell on them that prevents them from being worn by anyone other than an actual officer. Liberals aren't even stupid, because even the word stupid denotes some measure of intelligence.
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at November 29, 2005 10:26 AM (0yYS2)
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"Yeah, union made uniforms have a magic spell on them that prevents them from being worn by anyone other than an actual officer."
what does this have to do with who wears the uniforms?
Posted by: actus at November 29, 2005 11:31 AM (CqheE)
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That was the whole point of the post. Duh.
And besides, if it weren't for the unions trying to destroy businesses, they wouldn't have to go out of the country to get stuff made.
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at November 29, 2005 05:37 PM (0yYS2)
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Ah! Whats the problem? They make everything else in Mexico. Even 50% of the border patrol.
Posted by: greyrooster at November 29, 2005 07:10 PM (ZaAd/)
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I'll bite. This is a good thing.
Firstly, the security argument is weak. If a copy of the Border Patrol uniform was the only thing necessary to make it across, you'd be able to buy a good enough ripoff on any street corner in Mexico. Since you cannot, I have to assume that US Border Patrol Agents are smart enough to know that if they see a group of "agents" ducking in the bushes and running north who they've never seen before, are not assigned to that area, and don't speak english, then they probably aren't agents.
Also the economic and social benefits far outweigh that false negative, see my post here: http://neolib.us.
-Max
Posted by: Max at November 30, 2005 06:01 PM (g4H18)
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Would it be better if it said made in China? I don't think so... Having more jobs for Mexican citizens is better for Americans at the end of the day: More jobs for Mexicans less immigrants to the US.
Posted by: Marcos Gottfried at December 12, 2005 02:45 PM (0SZCo)
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