Two federal agencies are blaming each other instead of working together to quickly increase benefits for the family of a slain border agent, according to a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers.
Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega was murdered two years ago by illegal immigrants during an armed robbery while he was vacationing with his family. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn and Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela have been pushing for the agency to classify Vega’s death as a line-of-duty fatality, which would entitle his family to receive additional benefits.
“Your failure to recognize his sacrifice among other fallen officers and delay in responding to the needs of his family dishonors his sacrifice and his service,” the lawmakers wrote in a Friday letter to Gil Kerlikowske, the commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Cornyn and Vela were joined on the letter by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and GOP Rep. John Carter of Texas.
But instead of acting on that request, the lawmakers said the Department and Justice and CBP have only pointed fingers at each other for the delay. The Justice Department has blamed CBP for failing to produce the necessary information about the case, which has prevented the family from getting more benefits.
“Thus, we have no choice but to conclude that your Office is not treating Agent Vega’s sacrifice with the respect it deserves,” they wrote.
Customs and Border Protection has blamed the Justice Department by saying it submitted the case there for review. “CBP continues to work closely with DOJ including providing additional information about the case when requested,” a CBP spokesman told the Washington Examiner. “To our knowledge there are no requests for information that have gone unanswered.”
