Oscar
Charleston, SC
Male, 31
Spent a bit over four years (2006-2010) serving as a Border Patrol Agent in Tucson Sector, AZ: the busiest sector in the country. Worked numerous positions, and spent the last year and a half operating/instructing ground radar installations. Duties included: field patrols, transport, processing, control room duties, transportation check, checkpoint operations, static watch duties, etc.
Let me preface this answer by saying that I've never smoked marijuana. I had plenty of opportunities to in college, but I don't smoke and never felt the need to try it.
I do believe that it should be legalized though. It's a simple, non-deadly drug which is less harmful or dangerous than alcohol. Marijuana possession has stocked our prison system with millions of people who don't need to be there (though, due to being in prison - they often become criminals in the long run).
My opinion: legalize it, regulate it's production (so that it's safer) and tax the crap out of it.
I understand this would require a lot of new laws, and procedures. I do think you should get a DUI if you're caught out driving while high - because it does reduce your reaction time and motor skills enough to be a hazard. This is the hardest part about legalizing it.
The reality of legalization is that it likely won't happen. The U.S. government has invested so much time/money/effort in villainizing the drug that I doubt they could abruptly change their stance. That would require swallowing an awful lot of pride.
In addition to this, legalization of marijuana should not be pursued as an avenue to "shut down" the cartels. This won't happen. The cartel organizations are far too large to be destroyed by such a simple tactic. They would simply fight each other for the now-legal production of marijuana, and devote their manpower and expertise to other criminal enterprises or more of the serious drugs (cocaine, meth, etc.).
Also, if we legalized marijuana, and taxed it heavily - cartel provided marijuana might still be sought after because it would potentially be much cheaper.
I'm essentially all for legalizing it, but I don't imagine it will happen anytime soon on a federal level, and I do not see it as a cure-all for the cartel problems.
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While I never encountered this (personally), the response would be the same. They would be apprehended, and a whole mess of phone calls would be made. I imagine some other agencies may get involved, etc.
However, if it was with good intentions and by accident, I believe the Mexican official would be apprehended, and offered a very quick Voluntary Return as most illegals get. Of course, he may get his ass chewed when he goes back South!
In some areas along the border, it's so mountainous and rugged that USBP or Mexican may have a darn hard time determining where the border actually is. As mentioned in another answer above we have had some "issues" with Mexican law enforcement and their military. But, again, if it was a simple mistake, it would not be a huge deal. Now, if, during the apprehension the officer decided to put up a fight or get into a gunfight with agents - then that's his decision and appropriate actions would be taken as with any other subject.
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Being on the border we mostly caught the material (ie. dope) coming North. Occasionally though our units on the highway would grab a cash vehicle going back south (vehicles loaded with drug-profit cash heading back into Mexico). The only ones I remember were pretty low-dollar amounts ($7-10K). I'd imagine the serious cash is much better concealed/protected/transported.
I'd bet the DPS guys (Arizona's Highway Patrol) probably had more apprehensions along these lines.
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The name doesn't ring a bell to me. I can't say I've ever heard of him.
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Special Education Teacher
Does it bother you when people use the R-word?
Waitress
Are you instructed to "push" certain menu items that are at risk of going bad?
Zookeeper and Animal Trainer
Are a lot of people in your line of work vegetarian/vegan?
This is explained in the previous answers to this type of question above.
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The process is the same. However, if the minor is unattended they are kept separated from the local population at processing centers, and the Mexican/Other consulate is notified for handling when they are returned to Mexico. They are cared for specially, but the overall process remains the same.
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Nope. Not even close.
I hate to make broad sweeping judgements about international affairs but I think it's safe to say that the situation is so wildly out of control it will never be "eliminated". The cartels are big enough that there simply is no way to wipe them out - even with conventional military forces.
It is much more out of control than you see on TV. The cartels are quite good about terrifying the media, reporters, news agencies etc. They strung up the mutilated bodies of two bloggers last year - hung them from a highway overpass. The bloggers had been saying negative things about the cartels. The media have turned a blind eye to most of their operations, and I don't blame them.
How do you turn the tide? I have no idea. That's akin to asking how you make people simply stop committing crimes. It's not an answer anyone has. Corruption in Mexico is found at every single level of every department/agency etc. This means that the cartel is absolutely ingrained in the Mexican government, etc.
I applaud the efforts of politicians and the good police/military folks...but I think it's a fight they're losing. What you probably need in Mexico is a social uprising by the entire country. There is no reason why Mexicans should have to come to the U.S. to make money. They have a beautiful country which could be a stellar 2nd world place. It would be bloody and incredibly violent, but I'd like to see the entire population of Mexico stand up against the cartels and kick them out.
It'd be nice to see Mexicans take back Mexico. I don't see it in the cards in the near future though.
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