• IN THIS SECTION

Health Care - March 2010 Vote

Do you think Congress will pass the current form of the Health Care bill this week?

Yes
No
Not sure

View results

Senior Intelligence Officials: Attempted Terror Attack "Certain"

The five senior leaders of the U.S. intelligence community told a Senate panel they are "certain" that terrorists will attempt another attack on the United States in the next three to six months.

If true, why do you think the jihadists feel emboldened?

The Obama administration is seen as weak against terrorism.
Its continued backlash against the policies of the former Bush administration.
Not sure.

View results

July 1, 2008

Exclusive: Do Relatives of Members of Congress Receive Special Treatment?

Michael Cutler

An unusual situation has arisen over the past week in which Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) - the Chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence -requested that the FBI, DHS and other agencies launch an effort to help with the kidnapping of hiswife's distant relative in Mexico. Why is this situation unusual? Because the relative is a citizen of Mexico, abducted in Mexico by criminals who are believed to be Mexican. One might well ask why the United States government would become involved in a case that has absolutely no connection to our country other than therelationship between Congressman Reyes and the victim of the crime.

Officials of DHS said that the involvement of our government was "routine." Ihave a real problem believing that this was, in fact, "routine."

I find it amazing that the Mexican government was so willing to help with this case when one considers that the head of the Mexican agency that is the equivalent of our DEA is assassinated within days after taking charge of the agency charged with enforcing laws against narcotics trafficking in Mexico.And just a couple of days ago, a Mexican judge released Jesus Navarro Montes. Montes isthe prime suspect in the brutal slaying of a United StatesBorder Patrol Agent,Luis Aguilar, by running him down as the agent was attempting to deploy devices in the road to stopa smuggler's vehicle.

Yet, incredibly, within a couple of short days, the Mexican government was able to achieve what is a rarity,rescuingSilvestre Reyes' family member?

What is routine about this?

Furthermore, if you believe this is the routine way that our government does business, you need to read this article, which details the perfunctory way that Congressman Reyes dealt with a constituent whose family member was abducted in Mexico.According to the El Paso Times, Congressman Reyes met with his constituents, the family members of a United States citizen, a man described as a U.S. Navy veteran, for about 15 minutes and apparently nothing has been done to solve this crime.

Hervella said. "The way the U.S. and Mexican authorities moved to find his relative shows how some of us are treated like second-class citizens. Nobody in Mexico or the United States did anything to help us."

Hervella's godson, Saul Sanchez Jr., a U.S. Navy veteran, and his wife Abigail Sanchez, were last seen heading to a Juárez theater in 1996. They left two young children behind.

Reyes said Thursday he could not comment on Posselt's kidnapping because it is an ongoing criminal investigation.

All Americans should have the right to presume that we would be treated the same as any other American where law enforcement and other such issues are concerned.The Declaration of Independence begins by saying, "All men are created equal and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights...." There is nothing that says that members of Congress are supposed to more equal.

This news article makes it appear that unless you area well-connected member of Congress or some other high official, don't hold your breathe if you expect the government to provide you with assistance!

Congress should call for an investigation into the Reyes matter. It's up to the American public to see that it is done.

Family Security Matters Contributing Editor Mike Cutler is a Fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies and a recognized authority who addresses the implications of immigration on national security and criminal justice. Feedback: editorialdirector@familysecuritymatters.org.

Reader Comments: Submit Your Comment (0)

Print This E-mail This

Share It: