The Mexican government vowed on Tuesday to improve the way it treats and handles illegal immigrants who typically enter Mexico by crossing it's southern border from Central America.

The government said it would end the policy of using jail cells as holding centers for illegal immigrants.

The government also acknowledged that many of it's officials are bribed by human smugglers,  immigrants face abuse from corrupt police and by violent gangs who assault and rob them.

Addressing concerns from the United states, Mexican President Felipe Calderon also has promised to strengthen security on Mexico's southern border to stop the flow of illegal immigrants — the majority of whom use Mexico as a way station to the United States — and crack down on criminals, especially drug traffickers.

Immigrants in Mexico without proper documentation are considered criminals.

Have you ever been annoyed by the amount of taxes and fees on your monthly phone bill? Now is your chance to claim a rebate and receive money back on something called the federal telephone excise tax.

After mounting pressure from Congress the Treasury Department announced it will no longer collect a 3% excise tax charged on all long distance phone calls. Furthermore it is offering what is being called The Telephone Excise Tax Refund- a refund available to you on your 2006 tax return.

This is regarded as the largest refund in history, affecting more than 160 million people.

What was the tax and where did it originate?

It was introduced 108 years ago- in 1898- to help finance the Spanish-American War.

As I have said countless times on radio, TV and in print, the  extreme and unfair sentencing of Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compeon- and that of Deputy  Sheriff Gilmer Hernandez- is not a republican vs. democratic issue. It is not a white vs. Mexican issue- as too often the conversation deteriorates down to- nor is it a liberal vs. conservative issue.

It is an issue of common sense. An issue that should concern all law abiding Americans regardless of ethnic background or political stripes.

However while republican lawmakers have led the way in demanding a pardon, democratic lawmakers have been deafening silent.

Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein of California has been a refreshing exception. Senator Feinstein has said, " I strongly believe that the sentences in this case are too extreme, given the criminal nature of the defendant and his possession of large quantities of drugs. These men were given sentences that some individuals who are convicted of murder wouldn't receive."

Senate Judiciary hearings scheduled by Senator Feinstein to investigate the prosecution of Ramos, Compeon and Hernandez had been scheduled to begin on February 27th. Unfortunately scheduling problems have forced their postponement and a new date should be announced soon.

White House Spokesperson Tony Snow: 202-456-2580
White House Comment Line: 202-456-1112
White House Switchboard: 202-456-1414
White House Email:  comments@whitehouse.gov
U.S. AttorneyJohnny Sutton: 210-384-7400

Congressman Duncan Hunter has said that " too many questions have been raised to allow this conviction stand without a close and unbiased review."

Now it appears even more questions are being raised. It is being reported by WorldNetDaily that the  attorney for Ignacios Ramos, Mary Stillinger, is calling for a mistrial because the government failed to provide the defense with a key document denying her client the right to a fair trial.

The article written by Jerome R. Corsi (a previous guest on my radio show) raises substantial and serious doubts about the case. In particular, the alleged mishandling of the shell casings and (non)filing of a report by Ramos and Compeon. Click here for full details.

How can I listen to The Rick Amato Radio Show in my home town? 

That is the e-mail question we have been receiving- daily-  from concerned people everywhere, after having heard Rick speak as a guest on other shows about Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose' Compeon during the past two weeks.

Whether you live in Austin TX, Washington D.C., or Nashville TN the best way to hear Rick daily on the airwaves in your city is to:

Contact the Program Director of your favorite local talk radio station and request that they broadcast The Rick Amato Show on their station.

If you send an e-mail be sure to include our link www.amatotalk.com.

When Program Directors at radio stations hear from their audience, consistently, it does make a difference.

The Rick Amato Show is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people during times of injustice.  Whether it is a young American soldier unable to afford adequate legal representation while facing questionable legal charges, or a youth center for under privileged kids facing the threat of closure due to eminent domain so that condominiums can be built in it's place...The Rick Amato Show looks to make a difference by exposing an issue, raising public awareness and moving people to action.

Thank you to all our current listeners for helping us create a show that is truly making a difference in the lives of people.

A federal report released Wednesday on the shooting of a drug smuggler by Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose' Compeon contained a written statement by Compean, which stated he "clearly believed the drug smuggler had a weapon and feared for his life."

Compeon's written statement is in direct contradiction to what The Dpt. of Homeland Security has led Congress and the media to believe when it contended it posessed investigative reports proving Ramos and Compeon confessed guilt and declared they "wanted to shoot some Mexicans".

The question is why did DHS investigators lie to congress and will U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton be held accountable?

There is no reason for Ramos and Compeon to be serving prison time- especially while their case is under appeal- as they are not a threat to anyone and certainly not a risk of flight.

To help Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, call the numbers below and demand their immediate pardon:

White House Press Sec: Tony Snow…202-456-2580
White House Comment Line: 202-456-1112
White House Switchboar: 202-456-1414
White House Email…comments@whitehouse.gov
U.S. AttorneyJohnny Sutton: 210-384-7400

The following disturbing email was received this evening:

"THIS IS PRELIMINARY REPORT ---

Per KFI Radio in Los Angeles a few minutes ago (7:20 PM PST) in an emergency  interview with father in law  reported the following---1)  LAST NIGHT  RAMOS  SEVERELY BEATEN IN PRISON

2)  While in "general population" (! ) A gym type facility, reported to be full of CONVICTED FELONS in the country illegally  and DRUG DEALERS.

5 men with steel toes boots, yelling  " derogatory language", entered his cubical in the middle of  the night  and  beat Ramos severely, mainly by kicking him.

3)  He was hurt badly and among other things, is now bleeding from his ear.

4) He was moved to solitary confinement  after  the
incident.

5) He has been refused  medical  attention.
With excuses it will be two days  before medical  attention".

The El Paso Times is also reporting the same story.

Keep checking back for details and updates. This is an unnecessary tragedy with the fingerprints of Johnny Sutton and the White House all over it. Johnny Sutton has been smug and arrogant in his communication to the media, coming across as a "little man" with a Napoleon complex, on a power
trip.