Earlier this week, one U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was killed and another was severely wounded after drug cartels shot them
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Come to find out, the Mexican government won't allow U.S. ICE agents to be armed while conducting operations in Mexico.
Though Mexico is seeing record rates of violence, it is rare for U.S. officials to be attacked. The U.S. government, however, has become increasingly concerned about the safety of its employees in the country.Maybe the State Department should start protecting employees and their families working in Mexico by insisting the Mexican government allow U.S. federal agents to be armed.
The U.S. State Department has taken several measures over the past year to protect consulate employees and their families. It has at times authorized the departure of relatives of U.S. government employees in northern Mexican cities.
ICE officials confirm U.S. law enforcement cannot carry weapons in Mexico. That could have made the difference between Zapata and his partner surviving the attack Wednesday.Although this is a dangerous job, the Mexican government does not authorize U.S. law enforcement working in Mexico to carry weapons. They may only carry guns if they are in one of the country's embassies.
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