On the recordJune 19, 2012
I thank the gentlelady. And in response to my friend from Utah, I want to quote the MOU specifically. It says: Nothing in this MOU is intended to prevent CBP-BP agents from exercising existing exigent/emergency authorities to access lands, including authority to conduct motorized off- road pursuit of suspected CBVs at any time. And it goes on to say in wilderness and wilderness study areas, and all different areas. In fact, the committee had a hearing on this very topic. There were three instances cited by Chairman Bishop on this, and it was determined that those were incorrect interpretations of this existing MOU by local managers, and it would be addressed through the command structure. So again, a solution in search of a problem. We all want to address the problem of illegal immigration in this country, but that problem cannot be characterized as illegal immigrants fleeing into the wilderness. It simply isn't the problem. If there are suspects of any type of criminal nature fleeing into wilderness and there is law enforcement in hot pursuit, they continue; they continue, and they don't stop. If they stop, they'll be in trouble with their superiors, and we'll work it out through the command change.
