Tucson Region

Bush nephew backs off on INS

Presidential nephew George P. Bush, campaigning in Tucson Thursday, backed off his weekend charge that the U.S. Border Patrol's use of pepper-ball guns is "reprehensible" and "kind of barbarous." In Mexico City Saturday, the youngest George Bush blamed the policy on "some local INS guy who's trying to be tough, act macho." Bush did not apologize Thursday for his remarks but acknowledged that he misspoke in Mexico City, because there is a formal policy and agreement between the United States and Mexico covering the use of these less-than-lethal weapons. He said he didn't fully understand the U.S. policy when he attributed it to some local tough guy in the Immigration and Naturalization Service. "I made an error and I accept it, but I think the larger issue is that it is something that shouldn't be happening, there shouldn't be this use of arms," he told Tucson reporters after a rally at the University Marriott for his uncle's re-election. "There needs to be substantive reform so that folks can move back and forth, work and pay taxes and achieve the American dream. The amount of violence on the border is terrible and we just need more focus on the issue." The paintball-like weapons used by border agents shoot marble-size plastic balls filled with capsicum that burst on impact, causing severe burning and irritation to the eyes, skin and lungs. The Mexican government, in turn, has been criticized by Mexican lawmakers for approving the use of " balas de goma" - translated literally as rubber bullets - against illegal border-crossers. U.S. use of the pepper-ball guns was approved after consultation with Mexican officials concerned about Mexican nationals being shot during confrontations with border agents. Border Patrol Tucson Sector spokesman Andy Adame said the pepper-ball guns have been used 71 times since they were introduced here in August 2002. He said the weapons are an effective tool, allowing agents to deal with difficult situations without having to resort to deadly force in the face of ongoing violence. Since the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1, there have been 93 assaults on agents, principally by rock throwers, in the Tucson Sector, Adame said. The pepper balls are used "to de-escalate a violent situation where an agent's life is threatened, but he doesn't have to rely on deadly force," he said. Bush, the son of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and his Mexican-born wife Columba, was in Tucson drumming up support among young people for President Bush. He also took part in a voter registration drive sponsored by the University of Arizona chapter of University Students for Bush, the fifth-largest chapter in the country. UA freshman Christopher Maldonado, 18, cheered enthusiastically. Maldonado said he came to the rally committed to the president's re-election, but came away even more convinced that only the president can "keep this country safe from terrorists and future threats."