Jaime Zapata BEST Bill One Step Closer to Becoming Law
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Sep 25, 2012 at 6:19 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Sep 25, 2012
An initiative that would require local, state and federal law enforcement to work together will soon be a law according to Congressman Henry Cuellar.
Our Annette Garcia spoke with the congressman about the Jaime Zapata BEST bill.
Congressman Henry Cuellar says the bill is aimed at better securing the border but could have also have some positive effects in Mexico.
A bill named for fallen ICE Agent Jaime Zapata is one step closer to becoming law.
“It's going to do a lot to get law enforcement to work together. there's already a lot of agencies working together. this will put into law that you gotta work together.”
It's an idea initiated in 2006 to dismantle criminal organizations that threaten border security.
Since then, agent Jaime Zapata died at the hands of cartel members and thousands others have been killed by criminals wanting to prove their strengths.
“Lets see how much we can manipulate the human body the hanging, the beheading, the videos.”
“Drug cartels are fighting over the plazas. Whoever controls the plazas are making a lot of money. A lot of money.”
while most of the dead are bad guys themselves congressman Henry Cuellar who sits on a committee for homeland security says there are many innocent bystanders whose lives are taken.
And even those who aren't killed are being affected.
“They've gone into other areas. rapid kidnappings. or whether they're charging commission to business people for protection they're expanding what they're doing.”
Cuellar says the new legislation in the U.S.will intercept and keep criminals and their drugs out of here in turn breaking down the battles in Mexico.
“They want to be able to send kids off to school. they want to be able to go to work. things you and I take foregranted every day. This is why its sad whats happening out there.”
Cuellar says he expects the bill to become law when the house goes back in session in November.
