The US Border Patrol’s union has spoken out against President Bush’s immigration proposal, saying it is offensive to federal agents who risk their lives to keep illegal border crossers out of the country, and rewards illegal immigrants that the agency fails to catch.  Some agents stated they plan to resign from the border patrol because the proposal is viewed as an insult to agents who are already demoralized.

Border Patrol union representatives have told the press that Bush’s plan will make the agency’s job even more difficult, as it will increase the number of illegal border crossings.  Agents are warning that security on US borders presents a clear and increasing danger as even more illegal aliens enter the country.

While union representatives are being vocal regarding the subject, federal officials have instructed border patrol agents not to disclose information that might reflect poorly on the idea.  A spokesman from the agency told the press that the purpose of these instructions was meant to prevent confusion about how to handle questions on the president’s proposal and statistical information on apprehension numbers will be available, but only through headquarters.

Meanwhile, US border patrol agents have been told to ask a series of questions when they capture illegal immigrants, including whether the immigrants have heard of Bush’s proposal.

A border patrol union official said to the press that the warning’s intent was not only to maintain consistency, but also to intimidate agents into not raising concerns about problems they could face in dealing with a flood of illegal immigrants.