CBP Attempting to Fire Agent For Recognizing Individual Rights At Checkpoints

The video above depicts Border Patrol agent Michael Flanders acknowledging the right of individuals to not answer questions while being seized at internal Border Patrol roadblocks. For daring to do his duty in a professional, friendly and lawful manner, Agent Flanders is now facing termination from Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

I initially wrote about Agent Flanders back in March of 2014. I hadn’t heard much more about him since then however until this most recent video. As part of the video posting, Agent Flanders also provided the following description:

Published on Jan 5, 2015

I am the Border Patrol Agent in this video. On November 6th, 2014 I was given my 30 termination notice for acknowledging your rights in this video and for publicly speaking out against unconstitutional activities (such as this http://www.inquisitr.com/845022/dhs-….) taking place at our inland immigration checkpoints.

Robert Trudel, who was arrested for not answering the agents question was deprived of his rights under the color of law. 18 U.S. Code § 242 – Deprivation of rights under color of law. See link here: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/tex…

Since receiving my termination notice I have been ordered to stay at home on paid administrative leave. I am currently still employed while my attorney fights against the false/retaliatory charges levied against me.

I have been with the Border Patrol for just over 8 years. During my service as an Agent I have received a 40 hour time off award, 2 cash awards and a performance award. I love my job yet at the same time I will not stand for other agents including management dishonoring their oaths by violating your rights. In general as time goes on I am seeing more and more corruption from law enforcement, it is down right ….. (sad?) not sure what word to use.

BTW I did contact Duncan Hunters office. Please call his office on my behalf as well. I also claimed whistleblower status with the Office Of Special Council in Washington D.C.

My family and I need your prayers and support. I will be sure to keep you guys updated.

Sincerely ,

Michael J. Flanders

Given this turn of events, it would appear that CBP leadership is not interested in retaining agents who understand the limits of their lawful authority while respecting individual rights. Rather, it has become quite apparent that CBP leadership prefers the company of agents who are ignorant of the law, agents who knowingly violate the law & agents who are contemptuous of individual rights and willing to assault individuals who peacefully  assert those rights while being seized at internal suspicionless CBP roadblocks.

I wish Agent Flanders the best in his current fight to keep his job & hope to see him prevail against those agents who actually deserve the termination he’s currently facing.

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