Made in Mexico

This is kind of ridiculous if you ask me. Apparently, eagle-eyed Representative John Carter, a Republican from Round Rock, Texas, has noticed that the uniforms used by the U.S. Border Patrol have labels that say “Made in Mexico”. Ok, ok, he probably didn’t discover it personally but I guess the fuss is that the label makes many federal agents feel uncomfortable. Mr. Carter asked "If we're manufacturing uniforms in Mexico, what's to stop someone from walking across the border in a Border Patrol uniform? How do you know who are our guys and who are their guys?" The union representing Border Patrol agents said "It's embarrassing to be protecting the U.S.-Mexico border and be wearing a uniform made in Mexico." So what’s the real issue here?

I guess Mr. Carter is afraid that terrorists or Mexican nationals or OTMs are going to waltz across the border disguised as Border Patrol agents. Reality check…individuals by the thousands already cross the border illegally *without* the aid of a uniform. And I guess the union would be happy if the uniforms were made in China or Taiwan perhaps? BTW, I’m assuming that “border” is referring to that invisible line that runs through the desert or river and not an actual port of entry.

I’m sure Mr. Carter understands that neither U.S. agents nor their Mexican counterparts are allowed to cross the border for any reason. So if someone wearing a stolen Border Patrol uniform is walking into the U.S from Mexico, that would undoubtedly raise a red flag for the agents on patrol who would probably communicate with their dispatcher, questioning whether a fellow agent is in the area. I guess I don’t really understand what Mr. Carter’s issue is. As for the union, are they also “embarrassed” that most of the wire harnesses used in their patrol vehicles are “Made in Mexico”? Again, I must not understand their issue.

Lastly, Mr. Carter and a couple of other Representatives are planning on introducing a bill that would require the Border Patrol uniforms be made in the U.S. I would think the contractor already did a cost analysis in order to supply a quality uniform at a competitive price in order to win the contract. Obviously the cost to manufacture the uniform in the U.S. was higher than manufacturing it in Mexico. But I guess it’s ok to incur the higher cost when it ensures the safety of the U.S. from Border Patrol impersonators.