CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Former Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean may have to wait another two months to be reunited with their families. After two years behind bars, mostly in solitary confinement, their clemency does not become effective until March 20th.
MONICA RAMOS, WIFE OF IGNACIO RAMOS: I think 60 days right now, we'll get through them. It's going to be very tough and to him, who's still sitting in segregation, he said 60 days is going to feel like a lifetime.
WIAN: Before dealing with this case, President Bush had commuted just nine prison sentences during his eight years in office. Former White House official "Scooter" Libby received a commutation before serving any time, others took as long as four months to be released. A spokeswoman for the Bureau of Prisons tells LOU DOBBS TONIGHT it's possible the men could be out sooner than 60 days. They could be eligible for good behavior credit and could be sent to a halfway house. Those decisions are up to the prison where the former agents are incarcerated. Their attorneys are pursuing both those options. Still unclear why Mr. Bush waited so long to grant clemency to the agents, despite repeated demands for their release by more than 150 lawmakers and nearly half a million Americans. Last week, Congressman Walter Jones tried a different approach, appealing to the president's faith.
REP. WALTER JONES (R), NORTH CAROLINA: I said, Mr. President, you profess to be a man of faith. Please get down on your knees and ask God if you should commute or pardon these two men and listen to God and I believe he will tell you yes. I don't know if that had anything to do with it, but I think God did quite frankly.
WIAN: Attorneys are continuing to pursue a Supreme Court reversal of their convictions or a full presidential pardon for Ramos and Compean.
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WIAN: And not everyone is applauding their impending release. At a news conference this week, Mexico's Deputy Secretary of Foreign Relations Carlos Rico (ph) said, quote, "this is a message of impunity, it's difficult to understand." He also acknowledged that Mexican officials had lobbied hard to prevent the former Border Patrol agent's release. Lou.
DOBBS: A message of impunity, what in the world could he have meant by that?
WIAN: I guess he's trying to get across the idea that if these agents were released from prison, it's going to give a license to other Border Patrol agents to shoot unarmed Mexican illegal aliens anytime they want to, which of course is a ridiculous notion. It's amazing that the Mexican government would criticize the Bush administration for finally releasing these two men who have served two years in prison. I think you'll remember the case of Border Patrol agent Luis Aguilera (ph) who was killed last year. The Mexican government released his alleged murderer on bail and we don't know where he is, Lou.
DOBBS: And they did so with impunity, I believe would be the word, according to the deputy foreign minister. But further at issue here is whether or not that drug smuggler was in point of fact armed or unarmed. Secondly, no question that he was a blatant and professional drug smuggler. Third, the claims that he has been armed in previous drug runs. Fourth, the fact that the evidence that was -- that he was in point of fact a professional drug smuggler was sealed from the jury. This is a gross miscarriage of justice. And now we hear from the Mexican government what we have suspected and what we have been reporting on this broadcast for two years now, that Mexican government direct interference with the U.S. government is the reason these two men went to prison. This is blatant. It is disgusting and for the government to act with such impunity and for their deputy foreign minister to come up with this position today is all the more galling.
WIAN: Yes, Lou, and it also reminds me -- and I'm sure you'll remember back in 2006 when the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general was Richard Skinner (ph), some of his officials went over to meet with members of Congress to address their concerns about the prosecution of these two agents. Those Department of Homeland Security officials told members of Congress in a private meeting that they had evidence that these two Border Patrol agents said that they were out to shoot some Mexicans. That later proved not to be true. And the inspector general had to apologize to those members of Congress. It now seems like it's likely we know where that notion came from, Lou.
DOBBS: Richard, to put it more directly, Richard Skinner (ph) lied through his teeth to United States congressmen. He, to go back to the word of the deputy foreign minister of Mexico, he lied with impunity and he carried out, in large measure, this gross miscarriage of justice. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security, with the behest of the Mexican government, it now appears, led the investigation against these two agents, which is highly, highly irregular, rather than the Justice Department, correct?
WIAN: Absolutely. You know, we asked Congressman Walter Jones of North Carolina, who's been involved in this case since the very beginning, trying to get these agents freed, what he thought of this admission by the Mexican foreign ministry, that they've been actively lobbying to keep these agents in jail, and he said, tell the Mexican government to keep the drug smugglers on their side of the border.
DOBBS: Casey, thank you very much. We're going to be following this story rigorously and, yes, relentlessly. Until this story is concluded with what we hope will be a very happy ending for these border patrol agents, their families and, frankly, this country. This is an extraordinary development, the statements of the deputy foreign minister of Mexico, and the fact that it appears quite clear now that the Bush administration if his statements are true, that the Bush administration was nothing more than a witting tool of the Mexican government, a deplorable development. Thank you very much, Casey. We look forward to your reporting on this until the days and weeks ahead. Thank you. We'll have much more on this important story here in just a few moments when I'm joined by Monica Ramos and Patty Compean, the wives of the former border patrol agents now in prison. We'll be talking as well with the attorneys who are fighting for their release and fighting to clear these agents' names.
We also want to know what you think about all of this. Our poll question tonight is pretty straight forward. Do you think there should be a full investigation of the administration of George W. Bush for putting the interests of Mexico ahead of those of two agents defending our border? Yes or no? We'd like to hear from you. Cast your vote at LouDobbs.com. We'll have the results here later in the broadcast.
DOBBS: Former President Bush commuted the prison sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean Monday. But both former border patrol agents remain in prison tonight. Joining me now, the wives and the attorneys of these two men. In Phoenix, Monica Ramos joins us. Monica, great to have you with us. In El Paso, Patty Compean. Patty, thank you for being with. In Austin, David Botsford, he's appellate attorney for Ignacio Ramos. And in Dallas, Edgar Mason and Bob Baskett, they're the appellate attorneys for Jose Compean. Gentlemen, thank you for being here. Let me turn first to Monica and Patty. Monica, you met with your husband today. How is he?
RAMOS: You know what, he's been in the best spirits I've ever seen him. I mean, you can only imagine, each visit that I've come to see him, it's been about, you know, OK, we have this many weeks left of your incarceration. And it was unbelievable, his spirits, he's just so excited. And today became about the countdown now when he comes home.
DOBBS: Monica, if I may say, I think I see a sparkle in your eyes that I haven't seen for a couple of years now, and it is wonderful to see. Patty, first of all, congratulations. I know that this is only one more step in ending what has been a horrible trial for you, your family. And how does your husband feel right now, knowing still he apparently will have to wait weeks before he's finally released?
PATTY COMPEAN, WIFE OF JOSE COMPEAN: That doesn't matter to him. I think right now what he's holding onto actually -- no, I know what he's holding on to the fact that he will be home and we actually have a date now, where before we didn't have anything. So he's very happy and very excited.
DOBBS: We're very excited for him, for Ignacio Ramos, and for your families. Let me turn to Mr. Botsford. Why aren't your clients being released now, as best you can figure, and what are the prospects that you can accelerate this process?
DAVID BOTSFORD, APPELATE ATTORNEY OF IGNACIO RAMOS: Well, in the first instance, President Bush said that the commutation was effective 60 days out. He could have done it immediately as he did for Scooter Libby. He could have done it for as long as 180 days as he did for one of the other commutee grantees. But he said 60 days for whatever reason. I have no earthly idea. Now the Bureau of Prisons can release both of these gentlemen to a halfway house or do essentially whatever they want to because when they walk out of the prison, whatever day that is, they're under three years of supervised release, kind of a probation after their jail time. So they'll be monitored and have to report to probation officer. That could begin as soon as the warrants of clemency are received by Ignacio and Jose, signed and the receipt sent back to the pardon attorney in Washington.
DOBBS: Ed Mason, Bob Baskett, I want to read, if I may, U.S. attorney Johnny Sutton, his statement following the announcement of the commutation. And if you could, let's put this up on the screen for everyone. "Like the trial judge and the court that reviewed the cases on appeal, President Bush found that Compean and Ramos were justly convicted of serious crimes and their status as convicted felons should remain in place." He did indicate that he agreed the sentences should be reduced. Are you -- are you first surprised, are you satisfied, that at least that concession was forthcoming from -- from the former U.S. attorney of the western district of Texas?
BOB BASKETT, JOSE COMPEAN'S APPELLATE ATTORNEY: I'm not, because he had indicated that he felt that way before, and though I wasn't privy to his conversations with the president, and I'm sure the pardon attorney asked for his input, it doesn't surprise me that he's willing to say that the sentences were excessive.
DOBBS: Can you all get -- can you get this thing accelerated? Because American people are sitting here right now, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people have made their views known on this case. We have seen more ridiculous and absurd statements made about this case. The magnitude of this miscarriage of justice has grown over the years, rather than diminished. What are the odds that we can see this thing -- the Bureau of Prisons respond humanely, intelligently and justly and get these people out of jail?
BASKETT: Well, I sent them a request today for information about how they were going to treat this. I think they probably would have had more than 100 days of good time credit built up already after two years of incarceration. I don't know of any reason why they cannot be released as soon as the paperwork is finished and the processing is done and sent to a halfway house or perhaps even outright released.
DOBBS: Let me ask you, Bob Baskett, David Botsford, let me just say this. What are the odds that you can get a pardon? Is there legal relief here for these two men so they can move on with their lives without this hanging over them?
BOTSFORD: Lou, there are two different avenues. Number one is a potential pardon from President Obama, which I believe Mr. Baskett and I and Mr. Mason, intend to pursue as soon as possible. The other option is of course the Supreme Court. And if that's not successful, going back into the United States District Court in El Paso to raise the issues of the perjury by this divola, this drug smuggler, who painted a false picture for the jury that convicted.
DOBBS: Let's be clear too, the federal court judge sealed the very evidence that could have been exculpatory here, and of significant interest to the jury at the very least, and could have been determinant in their decision. But also, what about -- and let me ask you this, Bob Baskett. The issue of the Mexican government acknowledging direct interference in this case with the prosecutors, with the United States government, with the Bush administration. My god, how -- I mean this is outrageous on every level.
BASKETT: Well, I think the point was made earlier that they'll release people that kill our border patrol agents and demand justice with impunity for somebody like agents Ramos and Compean.
EDGAR MASON, JOSE COMPEAN'S APPELLATE ATTORNEY: Lou, can I make one point?
DOBBS: Quickly, please.
MASON: When we were there for the resentencing the night before in Juarez, a policeman was gunned down off his motorcycle and four people were assassinated in an SUV and I think maybe the Mexican government ought to set its own house in order before they start telling us how law enforcement should operate.
DOBBS: And I would be grateful if this government would simply tend to its own matters and ignore the intrusion and intervention of other governments. I would be satisfied with even that. Thank you. Let me turn real quickly, Monica, your thoughts, how -- how's the rest of your family doing? And my best to them.
RAMOS: Thank you. They're hanging in there. It's very difficult for the kids right now. I think once dad comes home is when they're actually going to believe this. I think we just had so much hopes along this way, you know, along the way, and now he's finally coming home so --
DOBBS: And Patty, you get the last word here tonight.
COMPEAN: You know, just my kids are doing good. The boys don't know yet because my husband wants to surprise them. My four-year- old's birthday is in March, so it's going to be a beautiful birthday surprise. Other than that, we're all very excited and very grateful that they're coming home.
DOBBS: Well, as are we. And our best to both of your families. We thank you very much. Gentlemen, do your best, get those doors open for those two men.
BASKETT: Thank you, Lou.
MASON: Thank you.
BOTSFORD: Thank you, Lou, for helping.
Tonight's poll result, 93 percent of you say there should be a full investigation of George W. Bush for putting the interests of Mexico ahead of the interests of the two agents defending our border.
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