Awesome job, Debbie. I don’t know what our Country would do without you.

DS_ROCKS! on September 2, 2012 at 12:29 am

This news was late in coming.

Its more about damage control tha in cleaning house at ICE. To put it none too gently, Barr had to go because she was becoming a political liability.

And people who become a political embarrassment for Obama get thrown under the bus! No one at ICE headquarters is really sad to see her go.

Its an appropriate denouement to the summer! If Suze got hit in the door on her way out, it shows just how long you can last even in Obama’s Washington.

Now that’s “hope and change” we can all applaud! Too bad it won’t fix the long standing and deep-seated problems at ICE and Homeland Security.

NormanF on September 2, 2012 at 2:26 am

This will hopefully shine a spotlight on all SAC selections throughout the country. Rumors are that SD’s SAC is gay. If true, is that how he got his position? How did LA’s SAC get chosen over Hayes? Or Denver’s over the other selections? And what is going on about the Garcia-Woo-Kozak shooting? Has OPR OIG LBPD FBI finished their investigations? Is the widow Garcia going to sue? What is going on with the Guzman investigation? Heard the United States Attorney’s Office has decided against prosecution. Why? Did OPR screw this one up? And how did Guzman know enough to remove his diploma from his office?

oldschool on September 2, 2012 at 2:30 am

Sweet.

Mark Hammond on September 2, 2012 at 4:35 am

Very Good. I think even the Obama Administration must finally realize that Janet Napolitano is more of a liability than an asset. After the November elections, President Obama will no longer have to placate the lesbians as much, since he will not be seeking reelection. Even from a leftist perspective, Janet Napolitano allowed her personal lusts and animosities too free a reign at the Department of Homeland Security. The unceremonious dumping of Barr has probably triggered a delayed fuse that will blow out Morton and Napolitano after November.

Worry01 on September 2, 2012 at 6:22 am

Congratulations. It’s too bad for Ms. Barr that Bill Clinton isn’t still president. Then she could have just gotten a transfer to the White House.

Little Al on September 2, 2012 at 7:48 am

One of the problems with ICE is that, while ICE is supposedly a law enforcement agency, they put people in charge of it’s law enforcement functions who have no background in law enforcement. Barr is a perfect example of this, she has degrees from school that can barely call itself a university and no management experience, and yet here she is running a law enforcement agency. Morton’s lack of law school performance caused him to go where lawyers go when they can’t find employment after law school–the Immigration and Naturalization Service–and here he is also running a law enforcement agency. Morton is also supposedly flying around on government money and staying in top shelf hotels in support of his affair with a woman, and spending the rest of his time pursuing a high paying job with the entertainment industry, and no one in charge has any issues with that. Before Barr and Morton there was Theresa Bertucci, a woman purportedly with no college education, who was, again, running ICE. Bertucci had so much authority over ICE she actually caused the Federal Protective Service (then under ICE) to be dispatched in support of her brother’s funeral (and, again, no on one in management had any issues with that). Bertucci also got one, maybe two, of her relatives jobs with ICE (and, again, no one in management had any issues with that).

ICE has numerous people in charge at the GS-14/GS-15 levels that have no college educations. In fact, the joke in ICE is that in order to gain promotion having anything that would get you promoted anywhere else, a college degree and relevant work experience for example, will be a hindrance in ICE. Remember what the saying is about ICE: “ICE does everything in reverse.” HSI has the lowest qualifications in the government for its GS-1811 Special Agents, in some instances one does not even have to have a high school degree or an equivalent. ICE is hiring people as Special Agents under a standard that does not even meet the minimum requirements of OPM regulations. ICE is actually supposed to be hiring under the Treasury Enforcement Agent standard (a standard which is higher than OPM standards) and they are not. The next time you see a HSI Special Agent sporting gang tattoos let this be no surprise.

Does anyone believe that all this is just happening on its own? Having a cadre of employees and management with little to no qualifications and experience creates and maintains an agency that just does what it is told to do, whether illegal, unethical, or just plain wrong, and which exists for no legitimate purpose.

The right thing to do in regards to ICE is to just get rid of it. This can be easily accomplished, convert the Special Agents to Deportation Officers and put the remaining DO’s under Border Patrol, and put Customs and Border Protection’s Special Agents in charge of customs and immigration based investigations. Simple.

King David on September 2, 2012 at 10:35 am

Kol hakavod Debbie. You are a real aishet chayil. I am probably going to see the new Bourne Identity movie today. If you want I can send you my review and you can post it under it’s own guest columnist heading. Shavuah tov.

A1 on September 2, 2012 at 10:46 am

Oh, good. Her resignation frees up her time to pursue her hobby of being a Sex Goddess!

Rochelle on September 2, 2012 at 10:52 am

King David’s comments were very informative, although not what I, as a taxpayer am very happy to hear about.

Little Al on September 2, 2012 at 11:16 am

Suzie will no doubt get a job in ‘consulting’ somewhere, now that she has established connections. Think Jule Meyers, Doris Meissner and every lame DD from every place over the past 15-years. It is called a ‘Liar-for-Hire’. Good work Deb…

#1 Vato on September 2, 2012 at 11:24 am

Congratulations, Debbie. Great job!

JeffE on September 2, 2012 at 11:36 am

COMPLETELY innocent, but resigning anyway. That is precious! Now take your BON-BONS and get the hell out of town Chunkmeister.

#1 Vato on September 2, 2012 at 12:04 pm

Great points King David…its clear you are at ICE and have firsthand insight if the BS going on at ICE. ICE is hiring some some serious d-bags, and whats worse is once recognized as a D-bag, the agency refuses to cut them loose; more to prevent bad press and CYA than admitting the screening process is broke. Thats until Debbie and some press with nuts sounds the alarm (Barr, Woosley, Bertucci) Your reference to Theresa Bertucci is spot-on, and her band of TSA come-alongs are still infesting the DHS and ICE executive ranks (ICE is #222 for worst agencies to work at, TSA is at 232; crap in, crap out) , proving once again its not what you know, but who you know. She completely screwed FPS over while she was at ICE, and it was all they could do to re-constitute at NPPD with their ass intact.
Barr is gone, and will open the door for the dozens of hostile workplace grievances just waiting in ICELAND to get pushed to OPR and the OIG.
I was on the job with BP and legacy INS, and we had our share of abusive and a-hole managers, but at the end of the day we got the job done. The only thing this Rainbow Task-force has done is put ICE at the bottom of the federal agency shit-pile list, and has made listing ICE as your current employer on your 1811 resume a “do not hire” flag. Lets shoot for #240 (HUD) Johnny!

Bag of ICE on September 2, 2012 at 12:29 pm

Resignation aside, which is good of course, she should still be prosecuted or sued. Don’t let this be the end of it. She’ll just show up somewhere else she doesn’t belong and screw THAT up as well.

Tommy Thomas on September 2, 2012 at 12:47 pm

As a Federal Employee, Barr was required to complete an interview and swear an affidavit to “Internal Affairs” i.e. OPR/OIG. If she refused, she would be fired for failing to comply with regulations.
If she does the affidavit and found later to have lied about the sex harassment – she could be criminally charged.
Admit the events and she would be personally sued by the complainants and loose big bucks.

So between a rock and a hard place, she quits. She now doesn’t have to say anything to anyone. That might not help the victims – but is a win for the taxpayers, and ICE to be rid of her.

I wonder if OPR counts this as a success?

With all the corrupt and morally bankrupt stories coming out of DHS; ICE, TSA, OIG, CBP, BP, USSS, FEMA – I need a program just to keep track of it all and score the game!

Great Reporting DS

Smack Dat on September 2, 2012 at 2:09 pm

Some observations from one who worked at HQ during Ms. Barr’s tenure:

1) Note that absolutely NOONE has come to her defense – that alone speaks volumes.

2) I had a number of interactions with Ms. Barr. She never harassed me personally, but G-d forbid you crossed her the wrong way – you might as well sign your own directed reassignment to Butt F**k, Texas (apologies to Texas 🙂 …).

3) Re. Derek Benner (SAC SD). Yes, he is gay – that is no secret at HAQ. However, as former DAD for Division 2 (Financial) and his resume, he was eminently qualified to take over the SD office. This safety valve was needed because Miguel Unzueta wanted to take the Attache position in Rome upon the departure of Dinkins’ current CoS, Nick Annan. Joe Gallion (Dinkins’ last CoS) was elevated to the DAD position for D-2 upon Benner’s departure (BTW, most DADs at HQ are SES, and Gallion was elevated to that slot).

4) Ragsdale will NEVER be named permanent ICE Director, as that is a political position to be named by Obama or Romney. As it is, Ragsdale is only the ACTING Deputy Director for ICE, having taken over for Kumar Kibble upon his return to the SAC Denver, and he will probably return to being the AD for Management and Analysis when a new ICE Director names his or her depouty in conjunction with the NEW DHS Secretary (Napolitano will surely resign – if not now, after the election).

5) The reason ICE is such a mess right now (this includes OIA) is that Ragsdale (as Acting DD) and Peter Vincent (as Acting head of OIA) are both attorneys with absolutely no L/E experience. This is what you get when you try to have lawyers run an L/E agency; no street cred, and a total disconnect from what the men and women on the ground do daily.

6) Re. Ray Parmer – I know the man; he is a good and decent person who made a horrible mistake, and this isolated incident is in no way indicative of his overall character. That said, this incident will no doubt cast a shadow over any good he has done, and I see him going back to HQ on a directed reassignment as punishment for his transgressions (BTW – I have an inkling as to whom y’all might get down in the Bayou, and you should be very afraid when she gets her SES creds in order; it’s gonna suck for you BIG time).

7) Re. SACs around the nation – many (although not all) have been promoted well past their KSAs, and are in place because they have bones on someone or milked (or threatened to milk) the EEO process. Problem is that many of these people, lacking people skills and ever having done a real complex criminal case in their negligible careers), are now ruling their fiefdoms by intimidation and fear, openly denigrating employees and supervisors for a perceived lack of performance, instead of holding THEMSELVES accountable for motivating their senior leadership and rank and file to do the best they can, despite the fact that we are an agency in a tailspin regarding budgets, resources and incessant turf battles with all the other alphabet agencies out their, including our own traitorous CBP, who will sell HSI out in a heartbeat to the FBI and DEA, and not a sould in DHS holds them accountable.

Bottom Line: I and a LOT of others have a LOT of stories (easily verified) that we can tell, but we all know any REAL attempt at fixing what is broke will be little more than a weak whitewash. So, while we would talk, the end result for those of us who really would want to see meaningful change would be to get outed and then punished for being disloyal.

This is exactly the reason why, as I have said in previous posts, many, especially white, middle-aged, males, are siphoning off TSP $$$ in droves and going into their own endeavors, because, we know, in the end, nothing we do will make much difference anyway.

Enjoy your holiday.

StillShakingMyHead on September 2, 2012 at 2:36 pm

Hmm, so Ms. Barr picked a holiday weekend as DS said to resign from ICE, I think the reason why Ms. Barr picked this specific weekend to finally step down is because yes it’s a holiday weekend, and not many folks are paying close attention to what’s going on in the newsworld, it’s pretty slow, and also some to many folks are away from their computers and television and hanging out with their love ones, etc. That’s what I believe, one man’s view.

“A nation is defined by its borders, language & culture!”

Sean R. on September 2, 2012 at 3:10 pm

Not nearly enough.
In addition to illegal sexual haressment and discrimination, Dept. of Homeland Security is politicized, putting national security at risk.
Note Napolitano covering for Jinadists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUlIQCeToUA&feature=relmfu
IMPEACH traitor Napolitano!

Alert on September 2, 2012 at 4:22 pm

Well, Suzanne Barr could continue her career in law enforcement in this way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPkkJ-po3Wc

Worry01 on September 2, 2012 at 4:55 pm

@Sean R. – Agreed. Barr was not going to survive this, and her demise was probably very well orchestrated by Napolitano (READ: If you ever want a job anywhere else in the future, you will resign in a time and manner acceptable to DHS, NOT you). That said, the next part of the cover-up is to try and placate Hayes and Jason Mount, who filed a subsequent (but no less blockbuster) lawsuit, fully documenting his denial of 43 lateral out of or promotions within or out of HQ in favor of females (white and minorities), alternate lifestyle adherents and domestic partners/significant others of already high-ranking HSI officials who needed to get their honeys into choice assignments ahead of other, better qualified candidates, including Mount. If ICE/HSI can successfully hush-hush these too, they just might be able stave off congressional inquiries as to the mess ICE is and will probably continue to be for the foreseeable future. If they can’t, expect to see an emboldenment of other managers, as well as rank and file employees, seek out legal counsel to file everything from reverse discrimination lawsuits to lawsuits regarding the misapplication of the HSI career path policy (a true joke, and which constitutes part of Mount’s lawsuit re. Linda Hunt’s promotion to ASAC in Boston, which is public record in the court filings).

Keep taking out that TSP $$$ boys – no chance in hell of any meaningful career development for the foreseeable future: if you’re not a female (regardless of ethnicity), don’t practice an alternate lifestyle or sleep with a SAC or a DAD, your career in HSI and ICE is effectively on hold and may be finished at the GS 13 level (funny how they liked us to come to HQ when they couldn’t get anyone else to do it though – we were good for that, but for little else).

Again, have a nice, f**king holiday …

StillShakingMyHead on September 2, 2012 at 5:35 pm

Debbie you sure have been on top of the constant mischief, circus-like atmosphere, and outright corruption at DHS and ICE for years. I can vouch for that.

Excellent job Debbie of exposing those tools who are selling out all honest and decent Americans. Now if the rest would take a hike…

Hope you’re having a nice holiday weekend.

itshotinhere on September 2, 2012 at 6:46 pm

King Dbag

What planet do you live on? Your simple plan has a few key flaws.

“Convert the Special Agents to Deportation Officers”

What would this solve? There are very few 1811s that know how to complete an EWI NTA. Almost all of the legacy INS 1811s are gone. What you would be left with is a bunch of Deportation Officers who would need to start from scratch learning that job.

“Put the remaining DO’s under Border Patrol”

Completely different jobs, the BP will never accept anyone who has not been to their academy. So you would be left with a bunch of BPAs who have to start from scratch learning that job.

“Put Customs and Border Protection’s Special Agents in charge of customs and immigration based investigations”

Wasn’t aware that CBP had 1811s, other than possibly IA. I’m pretty sure they are 1801s. So you would be left with a bunch of CBP Special Agents who would serve the exact same function as ICE Special Agents, who have never been Special Agents. Are you going to send them all to FLETC to CI School? So you would be left with a bunch of Special Agents who would have to start from scratch learning that job.

My advice to you is pick up your stamp and get back in your booth and start banging passports.

INStoUSCStoICEtoHSI

PS Great job Deb keep fighting the fight!

INStoUSCStoICEtoHSI on September 2, 2012 at 8:00 pm

@INSto … You are correct – Even though their creds and badges SAY “Special Agents”, CBP IAs are 1801 series, taken largely from the ranks of 1811s in ICE, Secret Service and other agencies who wanted a slower pace of life (9-5; Monday-Friday).

I do agree, however, that CBP/HSI ought be under one chain of command once again – I can tell you horror stories of how CBP, in an attempt to exact revenge on Customs for its once nasty disdain for Inspectors, regularly undermines HSI by either doing whatever they want to do at POEs, or bypass HSI and deal with whomever they want (be it DEA, FBI, USSS, etc) without consulting with HSI to see if their actions are harming long-term criminal investigations. Sadly, noone, not Chertoff, not Napolitano, not ANYONE, ever called CBP to task on this, largely because Bersin, when he was CBP Commissioner, was THE 900 pound gorilla in the room, and all but ran circles around Garcia, Myers and Morton with a big, hearty cup of F YOU !!!

Keep that TSP $$$ flowing out, boys … We REEK as a Federal LEA, and I don’t see it getting better anytime soon.

Enjoy the holiday BBQ, folks …

StillShakingMyHead on September 2, 2012 at 8:21 pm

I do agree that enough with the lawyers, President Romney/Obama please give us leadership with prior law enforcement street and HQ experience (preferably more street).

I can dream, can’t I?

INStoUSCStoICEtoHSI on September 2, 2012 at 8:23 pm

Still@

Thanks for the confirmation. I could not agree more with you about CBP. I merger with CBP would solve a lot of the problems. There are some very good CBPOs out there, but there are a lot of jealous wannabes. I saw them with both INS and USCS.

My impression of KD, is that he is one of these. He will probably check in very shortly and claim that he is an 1811, and a former Marine or ninja or some other bs.

INStoUSCStoICEtoHSI on September 2, 2012 at 8:32 pm

@INS to… You are further correct that KD speaks foolishly … It would be almost impossible to convert HSI SAs to DOs … Totally different job series, and would be see as a downgrade (18

StillShakingMyHead on September 2, 2012 at 8:55 pm

… Sorry for the computer glitch – finishing up: 1801s almost always aspire to the 1811 series (not vice versa), unless there is a big bump in pay/prestige that one would not get by remaining in the 1811 series. The lawsuits would be almost astronomical to deal with…

StillShakingMyHead on September 2, 2012 at 8:59 pm

Still

My issue with KD is that the public reads this and don’t know he is a fraud. KD insists ICE 1811s are unqualified, uneducated, gang members, etcetera. He slings the same BS every post. Those of us who are or were ICE 1811s see through it, but others don’t.

The truth is that almost every agency has similar minimum standards. Candidates must be a US Citizen, pass a background, and not be 37 or older. Educationally most of the agencies minimum standards do not require a 4-year degree. Usually they allow you to substitute education for experience. However, just because you meet the minimum standards does not mean you are going to get hired. I do not know a single current ICE 1811 that does not have a 4-year degree. I did know a few in the past, but they are long gone. Most of them were Vietnam vets that came over from the BP or the old Customs Patrol.

Unfortunately for KD, we have not apparently lowered our standards enough to hire him.

Have a nice weekend.

INStoUSCStoICEtoHSI on September 2, 2012 at 10:23 pm

“What you would be left with is a bunch of Deportation Officers who would need to start from scratch learning that job.”

How long would that take? Maybe a couple of hours on Virtual University?

? on September 2, 2012 at 10:46 pm

Touche!

INStoUSCStoICEtoHSI on September 2, 2012 at 10:52 pm

I think that some measure of justice has been served, and that Barr does not go out on her own terms is a good thing. People though shouldn’t conflate her misdeeds with broader problems within ICE. The fact is, we have a level of quality in our agents at least the equal of other Federal agencies not named FBI. There may be some recent or past hires who did not have college degrees, but they almost assuredly have law enforcement or military experience. For my part, I’d rather have a guy/girl that had been in military intelligence, then a BP Agent or CBP Inspector, than someone with a 3.8 coming out of college and no life experience. I have a Master’s but that in and of itself is no predictor of success.

While I think Barr was despicable, I am not sold that this agency is hostile to white males. I am a white male and have lost out on many jobs, and in nearly every case it was a white male who won the job. HSI is made up of about 50% white males, the rest are male minority or female of any race. Take a look at our senior career leadership: ERO straight white male, HSI, straight white male, OIA straight white male, AD National Security, straight white male, AD Intel, straight white male, AD programs, straight white male, most SACs & FODs = straight white males.

If there is a conspiracy against us by gays and women, I think they are doing a pretty piss poor job of it. As noted, the SAC San Diego is gay, everyone knows it and no one cares. Unlike Hayes he actually was an accomplished agent and lower level supervisor before climbing the HQ ladder. He was actually the recipient of favors from the last administration, not so much this one, that advanced his career.

Someone made a good point that Barr bugged out perhaps before she could be interviewed under oath by OPR and OIG. If she WAS interviewed and continued to deny the charge then she lied, and she’ll be looking at more than a potential loss of job opportunity. While Barr was a wretched creature, what people must understand is that a lot of the senior staff thought little of Hayes. I mean, this is a guy who never supervised anyone as a field agent or in ERO, or even BP for that matter. He jumped around HQ a few years, and before you knew it, he was the director of ERO. His undergrad is from an online college for goodness sakes, he never made a major case, and was never a DO, or a GS, or a Supv BPA. It was he, with a mere 18 months under his belt as a FOD that was unqualified for the job.

This has been a great example of what journalism can do when exposing bad behavior – anywhere – but especially within government. Barr, and those that would act as imperious as she, should be on notice that not all bad deeds go unpunished. Thanks Debbie!

please on September 2, 2012 at 11:16 pm

Great. So instead of fending off unwanted advances by the skeezy & skanky Barr, agents will now have to fend off the unwanted advances of the equally skanky & skeezy militant gay, John “Poop Chute” Morton.

I feel “safer” already, don’t y’all?

Cicero's Ghost (NB) on September 3, 2012 at 2:21 am

My understanding is that Morton once told Agents that, “Its my way or the Hershey highway.”

A thinly veiled reference to his sexual proclivities. I could be wrong on that though. It could have been Nepalitano.

itshotinhere on September 3, 2012 at 6:14 am

Great job, Debbie, keep up the great work!

Dave on September 3, 2012 at 7:42 am

Wow – the upheaval that is coming with the ICE Bachelorette gone! How must Tiny Tim – the Adam Lambert of ICE – be pooping in his little LA sanctuary now?

Yes, Tiny Tim who was not wanted for the job he has by his career superiors, but forced on them by the feral ICE Bachelorette – one must ask why, no? Tiny Tim, Adam Lambert of ICE LA, first career employee to have an iPhone – courtesy of the ICE Bachelorette, after a weekend of wining and dining her and the empress (Johnny Mo) on Oscars weekend. Now that the ICE Bachelorette is bound for, well, nowhere, what happens to the mascara caked queen of LA?

Whaddya want from me? for that GS-15…..

Whaddya want from me? for that SES

Whaddya want from me? to build my command center in Laguna despite SC being banned in California

Yes, Tiny Tim, Adam Lambert of ERO LA, the Woosley disciple – yes, Tiny Tim was a Woosley hire in LA, and he’s soon to be questioned about some trips he took with the ICE Bachelorette also – wifey will be P-I-S-S-E-D – who batted his fake eyelashes to get what he wanted.

Speaking of that thorny anti-fraternization policy, it would appear that the Adam Lambert of LA ERO has a problem – having been putting the tiny pickle to a portly AFOD of his while she was his only direct report in HQ and recently since she waddled her way to LA. Poor, poor Adam Lambert – the ICE Bachelorette is not here to save him!

Whaddya want from me?????

IttyBittyFOD on September 3, 2012 at 12:54 pm

D,

You are my hero. Sorry I am getting in late on this post.

The real “top” that is rotten is Obama.

Keep up the fabulous investigative reporting.

P

Panhandle on September 3, 2012 at 1:18 pm

I am so glad that Barr is gone. They need to remove all the top layers and abolish ICE. What a waste of taxpayers dollars?? Just a bunch of unqualified folks who want to rule the small world of ICE. From Morton to all the others in “senior leadership” they should be let go, the employees should be sent to do jobs that are right for America. Close down this useless place!!!

Sorry I work for ICE on September 3, 2012 at 2:17 pm

Good job Debbie. Thank you!

nomobama on September 3, 2012 at 3:23 pm

this is a great opportunity for barr to join octomom on the strip club tour and create a new genre of porn based on government workplace scenarios… that’s hot.

kirche on September 3, 2012 at 4:51 pm

StillSH,

“…,6) Re. Ray Parmer – I know the man; he is a good and decent person who made a horrible mistake, and this isolated incident is in no way indicative of his overall character. That said, this incident will no doubt cast a shadow over any good he has done, and I see him going back to HQ on a directed reassignment as punishment for his transgressions (BTW – I have an inkling as to whom y’all might get down in the Bayou, and you should be very afraid when she gets her SES creds in order; it’s gonna suck for you BIG time)…,”

How do you get caught up eating corn out of that nasty piece of trash’s poop? I mean, do you wake up one day and go…what do feel like eating today? Oh I know, I’ll eat me some corn out of my boss’s chute. RayRay was an insider with these people and you don’t get to play in the inner circle with clean hands, they won’t let you. Of course if you two are buddies and you want to stand up for your boy, I understand that noble gesture of yours. I’ve seen a lot of bad people do good and good people doing terrible things. Your boy RayRay could have been a good person long time ago, but I am sure that as an OIA Director he had to do what they were telling him to do… Although, that argument didn’t work for nazis at Nuremberg. Oh well, this is not a criminal trail and he didn’t commit war crimes, did he? He just might get off scot-free, that is if he dimes out his buddies and develops sudden allergy to CORN.

JustAnotherServant on September 3, 2012 at 5:36 pm

@JustAnotherServant – I am not excusing Ray’s behavior – he WILL be punished for his lapse in judgement. That said, I do know him, and this act was completely out of character for the man I know. And, regarding his OIA service, that shop was never run better then when Parmer was at the helm – his successors have driven OIA straight into the f**king ground, most recently led by an attorney with absolutely NO L/E or international relations experience in dealing with our foreign counterparts.

I’ll have some comments tomorrow re. “Please’s” posting earlier – What I will say is going to rock your world, buddy, because he or she may have a Master’s degree, but I went to the School of HQ and have a lot of friends in tenured places (READ: SESs) who fill me in on what the real deal is. If you think this is the end – my friend, this is JUST the beginning.

StillShakingMyHead on September 3, 2012 at 6:42 pm

It’s too bad most people don’t know who you are, Debbie and how far ahead of the curve you are on the important information that every American should know. Suzanne Barr is just one example of a woman in a position to hire or promote an employee who discriminates against a candidate who is not a woman. This has happened millions of times over the last four decades, but you’ll never see it via the mainstream media (e.g. “60 Minutes” or major cable newscasts or newspapers). Debbie, you’re one of the few (maybe the only one) who illustrates the abuse of this newfound power of a woman in the workplace who discriminates against males, usually white males.

NormCBS on September 3, 2012 at 7:12 pm

StillSH,

I am holding on to my knickers. I hope you got some real dirt to share with the class. Don’t tell me, there are other SES’s that falsified their education records or better yet, it’s not a real birth certificate… Just joking, you seem like a serious player and I know it wouldn’t be something trivial like KDB’ posts.

JustAnotherServant on September 3, 2012 at 7:45 pm

Shaking,

I have an open mind to whatever you might know, but the senior positions in this agency: Director ICE, Director HSI, Director ERO, AD OIA, AD Programs, AD Intel, AD National Security = all white males. Check out the ICE intranet site if you don’t believe me and look at the pictures yourself. Even more – the two most prominent SAC offices, white males.

Look, there’s perception and reality. Minorities and women are not overrepresented in our senior leadership. We’ve got a Latina AD for Operations and a Deputy for HSI that’s a minority, and that’s about it. Other than that, white males are in good shape. I’ve been passed over for jobs mainly for white men, I can only think of one or two females and no minorities. I realize my experience may not be the same as yours or others, but facts are facts. Another fact I’ve mentioned here: 22 of 26 SACs are legacy Customs. Of those senior leader positions I cited earlier only two are previous career INS. So Customs experienced personnel are well represented in leadership also.

I wasn’t in Barr’s office and don’t really know what effect she had, but I had heard rumor long ago aside from DS’s site that she was wholly inappropriate in her behavior and style. I don’t think however that as a CoS she had the kind of influence that people think. The thing is though, most of the broad policy decisions for how this agency operates, at least with respect to immigration enforcement, are made at DHS HQ and even above. For instance, you do know that no one in ICE knew this prosecutorial discretion memo issued by the Secretary was coming out on June 15th. I’ve heard the first that ICE HQ knew about it was that morning. A perfect example of how things are run (or poorly run).

I don’t think having former prosecutors run an agency is necessarily a poor fit. The FBI and other agencies have often had former prosecutors and judges heading their agencies. After all, we arrest people to have them prosecuted, not just for our pleasure (though it is of course fun). Half of the job is seeing them be prosecuted. Additionally, ICE attorneys don’t just provide advice, they are part of operations in removal hearings. Is an agent qualified to oversee them more than an attorney? Bottom line, prosecutors are part of the law enforcement field, a MAJOR part. Now, all that said would I prefer a top flight leader who was or is an agent: YES!

On the bias front, I’ve got a couple friends who are HSI supervisors, both minority and one a woman. I think they are solid and have been passed over a number of times as well for people I think are less qualified. I think if you asked them if there is an environment of favoritism, they might agree. They’d just point in the opposite direction. The fact is that every time you open up a slot in a choice location or level, a ton of people get passed over. Only one is going to be happy.

Here’s what I think: The problem isn’t women, gays, democrats or republicans. It’s that because of the political nature of the law we enforce, our leaders can never truly be empowered to make decisions on their own. That goes for the ICE Director on down to HSI SACs and ERO FODs. You add in to that mix an unprofessional, sexually harassing troll, you get an even bigger mess. More than experience and background in law enforcement, I think experience running a large Federal or State agency should be a prerequisite to being ICE Director. Unfortunately, neither Michael Garcia, Julie Myers or the current director had that experience. So where do you find it? The biggest SAC offices don’t provide this experience, which is our main feeder for senior HQ leaders. It’s tough.

please on September 3, 2012 at 8:01 pm

Please – I will respond tomorrow, but I have directly heard things I think will greatly surprise you regarding what is coming down the line re. EEO, and the damage lawyers have done to this agency. Stand by.

StillShakingMyHead on September 3, 2012 at 8:13 pm

Damn “please”, it’s like reading minutes of OPLA’ meeting on how do we defend ourselves from “unfounded allegations.” I guess a little mea culpa on certain points with a bait and switch goes a long way. Well, at least you are admitting to prohibited personnel practices in ICE somewhat. The rest is just an icing on the s-t cake they already serve us.

JustAnotherServant on September 3, 2012 at 8:46 pm

JustServ,

Don’t get me wrong, cronyism and poor management are alive and well and at the heart of this issue. IMHO it is that this abuse tends to be gender and race neutral, and more about who you know than merit. But frankly, that is the case in most places where you don’t have solid practices and leaders in place.

please on September 3, 2012 at 9:47 pm

IttyBittyFOD,
You shock me with your truth and accuracy. Little Tiny Tim, with his online diploma mill Park University Degree…wait…there is another distinguished unqualified SES in ICE that has a degree from that same institute of higher learning. Little Jimmy Hayes. Wow. What else do these two outstanding masters of the universe have in common? Oh wow, they both were promoted by John-I-Impregnated-A-Subordinate-Torres. Poor Tiny Tim with his insufferable arrogance. He’s losing friends faster than Suzie Barr has lost potential sex partners. Little Tiny Tim has been sporting his IPhone and IPAD for months now. 24 FODs…and Tiny Tim has had an IPAD for months. Nobody else though. Oh, did I forget to mention that he received 2000 detention beds and over 100 additional employees due to his relationship with Suzie and John Morton? The LOS Field Office is not even going to remove as many aliens this year as they did last year. Wow. Tiny Tim, you are amazing. When the new administration comes in, you are going to be seen for what you are. A collaborator with the Obama, Napalitano, Morton, Barr, Gibson regime. Good luck Tiny Tim. All the crappy things you have done to others will come back to haunt you.

IttyBittyLAFOD on September 3, 2012 at 11:30 pm

A lot comments about education, and how to be a Criminal Investigator you need a degree, and please don’t get an online degree because that is automatically associated with a degree mill. So here are some facts, leading brick and mortar universities offer online degrees now more than ever; because you have a degree doesn’t mean you have the common sense or street smarts to succeed as a good agent; most of the problems that ICE is facing today comes from those who have degrees or advanced degrees, so that doesn’t say much for education. Many here like to put a lot of weight on having a 4-yr degree or more, but what good is an education when you through it out door and act like a pompous buffoon.

I know many who do not have a degree and they perform at a higher level than those who claim to be educated. I have seen educated people with the worse writing habits, and those not as educated write statements that are complete, accurate, factual, and concise. You guys and gals go around toting your education like its the pinnacle of accomplishments, and bash anyone who doesn’t have an college education, but yet all our problems today are brought to you by all our “educated” agents and managers. And lets not forget, most of HSI is run by Customs agents… again doesn’t say much about an “educated Customs agent” in the sorry state of affairs we are in. Wake up America, smell the coffee.

BabylonAD on September 4, 2012 at 10:39 am