You are right on, as usual Debbie. Thanks for a great post.

Frank on February 26, 2009 at 7:04 pm

The insane are running the asylum….what did you expect?

arejaymack on February 26, 2009 at 7:17 pm

I worked for the IRS for thirty years, and had a couple of supervisors like this guy, But most management types were of the Julie Myers/Napolitano ilk. I’ve been out 11 years, and I see “Internal Affairs” is still working overtime to “get the agents”.

Codekeyguy on February 26, 2009 at 9:08 pm

So, have you got an address where we can thank this Leigh Winchell,because it is so nice to see anybody in our gov’t doing their job,and proud to do it the right way.
He deserves our thanks,even if we do have to send them to Outer Mongolia!

flicka47 on February 27, 2009 at 2:33 am

To have the courage to take a stand against your superiors and/or colleagues in order to benefit or defend the common good is a virtue that is desperately needed in these troubled times. Special Agent Winchell displayed this virtue and so does this guy who is the only one in the Federal government who has consistently criticized and confronted face-to-face arguably the most powerful person on the planet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhbKpg7jo-g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJBJkDd28pk&feature=related

ramjordan on February 27, 2009 at 5:43 am

J.NO’s job is to emasculate Homeland Security. Liberals never wanted a Homeland Security Department so she will side with those that would do harm to us. With more and more people out of work, workplace enforcement would do Americans out of a job a favor. Walk in any restaurant, hotel or manufacturing company in California and it is obvious illegals are hired. However, J.NO has no loyalty to America, it is toward special interest groups who helped KING HUSSEIN COBRAMA. As for Winchell he is doing what ICE was created for and unfortunately will get retribution. Hate to see how this plays out. J.NO will definitely go after Sheriff Joe Arpaio soon. Liberals and La Raza groups planning a march tomorrow in Phoenix to stop local enforcement with ICE.
http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/story/Sheriff-Arpaio-answers-criticism-with-more-arrests/dCESPzXK_U6yoj7wkL4ohQ.cspx

californiascreaming on February 27, 2009 at 11:05 am

There are so many elements to consider here. First, let’s start with the most basic. When most criminal investigators graduate from the training academy, we take an oath of office. In summary, we take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution and agree to uphold and enforce the law.
As investigators, we are not given the option of deciding which laws we are to enforce. While there is such a thing as investigative or prosecutorial disgression, field investigators are generally not the one’s who get to pick and choose which laws we are going to enforce. We don’t get to say “that’s a bad one” or “I don’t like that one”. We don’t make the laws… the Legislative Branch does that. Investigators are just the instruments of the law.
When someone calls an ICE duty desk, the duty agent doesnt tell John Q. Public that we are not enforcing immigration laws today. We take the information and pass it forward for appropriate action.
While it may be the current policy within the current Administration to hold off on certain investigative areas, if this is not communicated down to the field agents or the general public for that matter, how is it the fault of ANY law enforcement officer for arresting law breakers after an investigation???
Additionally, what message is that sending to the law enforcement officers?? What message is that sending to the public?? Waht kind of message are you sending to the criminal element who have a total disregard for the laws of the United States of America???
There, I think, lies the problem. ICE agents need a “clear” message from the incoming Administration as to “what do you want us doing??”. In all fairness, the problem is not a new one and has existed since Congress FAILED to address the illegal immigration and/or immigration reform over the past several years.
This has been on ongoing problem since the days of Mike Garcia and Julie Myers. Is our emphasis on Immigration or Customs?? Are we sacrificing Customs enforcement for Immigration enforcement?? Are we only enforcing the popular statutes or all the statutes??
The problem also goes into DOJ. What priorities are being set by local US Attorney’s offices?? Are they the same as ICE HQ, as it’s one thing to get a mission from HQ, but it’s another thing if the local US Attorney’s office won’t prosecute it.
ICE agents have been looking for direction and a clearly defined mission for years. Publically hammering a local office for doing it’s job, ie conducting an investigation and arresting culpable individuals, is certainly not the answer. Successful investigations should be rewarded and encouraged, not be made negative fodder at Congressional proceedings.
The law is the law!!!

ICEDover on February 27, 2009 at 12:16 pm

It’s been a while since I posted, but this deserves my time (albeit briefly)…
No surprise to anyone – ICE Babies, legacy SAs or whatever – this is right in line with the Obama agenda to decimate BOTH Immigration AND Customs ENFORCEMENT; our name will soon be oxymoronic.
Obama’s choice for A.S. (John Morton) all but signals the death knell for Customs enforcement – another attorney, honed on the steel of DOJ IMMIGRATION enforcement, can mean nothing positive for drug, money launderng, child exploiutation, weapons investigations, etc., UNLESS there is an IMMIGRATION nexus – even then, expect Mr. Morton to keel over and give in to the FBI, DEA, ATFE and the entire mess of alphabet soup just waiting to feast on the rotting carcASS that was Customs.
Napolitano’s choice for DHS policy chief, Esther Olavarria, is known in Miami as the “Asylum Queen” – she will all but surrender our borders to miscreants and ne’er-do-wells who break the law in infiltrating our borders by EWI or Re-entry After Deportation. And, given the Secretary’s actions re. the Seattle office, you know Olavarria’s going to have some serious juice when she wields her hatchet to any sort of immigration enforcement.
HQ is 160 positions in the hole; the field is bogged down in administrative BS (incessant cae file reviews, meaningless VU training for the umpteenth time this year, etc) – Any wonder why anyone smart is not walking, but FLEEING to CBP IA, OIG and other agencies? Nope – no surprise here; it shouldn’t be to anyone else, either
🙁

4EVERCUSTOMS on February 27, 2009 at 10:50 pm

Look what we have become. ICE is the second largest law enforcement agency. We have some of the widest authority and a rich history from both legacy sides of the house. By Pres. Obama putting Sec. Napolitano and A/S Morton into place, he has sealed our death blow.
Both of these people have no real interest in law enforcement. They are looking to push forward an immigration policy that will guarantee Pres. Obama gets 12+million new voters in 4 years. ICE is already the laughing stock of all federal agencies, and the public only knows us as Immigration. I have seen more commentary in the local newspapers wondering why ICE is involved in child pornography, narcotics, exports, etc. The administration has failed to put the effort together to make the public aware. The SACs are more inclined via the PIO to release the latest immigrant round up then anything else.
What other agency has so many supervisor slots (GS-14) open nationwide and can’t fill them because the agency has now stopped the home purchase program. That’s right, for all you waiting for your relocation packet or 14 offer, ICE has officially said they will not do a home purchase anymore (I’m sure the 15s will still get it). If you don’t believe me, just wait till your packet arrives. Guess those 14 slots will go to young apartment dwelling yes men who have no family to be concerned about. Sadly, I live in a market that my house wont sell in 6-9 months, so I have to carry two mortgages or turn down the promotion.
I actually once believed that promoting meant having a shot at changing policy and pushing for real law enforcement. God knows, the pay rise is not worth it. However, I have seen the last round of promotions for RACs, ASACs, etc.
Most, not all, are people who finally got out of head quarters and have never lead an office, managed agents, or opened a case in the past decade. I have one now that does not know what an ELSUR is and gets into yelling matches with agents because they actually want to kick a door in now and then on a search warrant.
ICE will always exist, but only in the shell of its former self. We did have a good ride, for a few months, and I am sure any changes that are on the horizon will be gradually phased in so that there isn’t an initial mass exodus of agents. But hell, ICE loves hiring 21 year old agents straight out of college so there wont be any problem with personnel.
People like me who have 6-10 years in with agency won’t leave initially because most of us have families. It is selfish and irresponsible to jump ship in this economy and the agency knows it.
Remember how quickly green quest disappeared and how willing both Myers and Garcia were to pawn off strategic, narcotics, and bulk cash smuggling on other agencies. Just wait. The new bosses will either dump our authority or so strictly control the “border nexus” that we will be limited in what we can do.
Oh well, maybe CBP will get 1811; maybe FBI will take all of us orphans in; maybe the rest of us hard work 1811s will just sit around, answer calls about “where’s my illegal alien husband” and wait for that biweekly drop in the checking account.
2Tired

2tired on February 28, 2009 at 9:08 am

Debbie, Thanks for again highlighting the nonsense! This SAC should be rewarded for sticking up for his people and taking responsibility for his actions. That is called “leadership” and is in very short supply on the ICE Train.
ICE Agents have enough trouble doing their jobs and worrying about heat from the public, now they have to worry about their own leadership throwing stones at them as well!!!
Thank you Debbie again. For caring that the job gets done. America needs more people like you and Mr. Winchell!

CaliSun57 on February 28, 2009 at 3:41 pm

This is the primary reason legacy Customs agents were not happy about the merger. Immigration enforcement is 100% political. It always has been and always will be. ICE is a horrible place to work. PERIOD.

bonzerwolf on February 28, 2009 at 7:57 pm

Debbie, another GREAT story!
I APPLAUD that Agent for having the GUTS to (a) adhere to the Constitution (b) support his fellow agents (c) put his thanks in writing and (d) do all of this KNOWING that Janet “AMENSTY-R-US” will be making an example out of him. They are affraid that Obama’ Aunt might get picked up OR his half brother (note to half brother the Coronation is over a month ago. left yet?).
The LIBERAL EXTREMISTS DEMOCRATS want EVERY ILLEGAL ALIEN here…for the US Census so that they can ABUSE/MANIPULATE the numbers thereby giving Democrats MORE Senators and Congress Members. You think the 180 MILLION DOLLARS Obama and Pelosi just pushed through to ACORN is going for “bible classes”? NO, it will be used to get “money in the streets” and to pay expenses to make sure that EVERY ILLEGAL is in the United States during this count. Democrats, Obama, and the LIberals don’t want ANYTHING so “petty” as the rights of American Citizens to get in their way of COMPLETE POWER.
Debbie since you are a Lawyer what rights do WE have knowing that the US Census is (directly) causing ILLEGAL ALIEN SANCTUARY STATES to have EXTRA REPRESENTATION in Congress? Isn’t this UNFAIR? ILLEGAL? Someone needs to check this angel out full.
Take care and God bless.
Jeffrey Schrembs

Nostradamus on March 1, 2009 at 5:40 am

Anyone in touch with Leigh, let him know when the reprisals begin, he can contact Ron Ackerman at Racklaw@hotmail.com
Ron is a former INS agent and now an attorney representing federal government employees. I’m getting nothing for this, I’m just a friend. Take if for what it’s worth.

Johnny Wilde on March 26, 2009 at 1:17 pm

I’m looking for a leader to take this issue of illegals and make it the country’s #1 priority. I thought Tom Tancredo did well, but he didn’t get the Republican nomination. I can’t understand why the country isn’t becoming enraged. What is wrong with us…why so passive…why so indifferent? This has to stop. Are we going to get angry after 50 million are here, or will it take 100 million. geesh. When we finally do get angry, it’ll take a WAR to get them out of here. Does anyone else agree that a bloody WAR with illegals is inevitable.

Bob Clark on January 5, 2010 at 12:40 am

I worked for Leigh while I was an ICE (Legacy US Customs) agent in Seattle before moving back home. He was a great leader and a pleasure to work under. Good job Leigh.

Former ICE agent on August 22, 2010 at 8:57 pm