Photo by AFP
By Mona Austin
The results of an investigation on the conduct of border patrol agents in their treatment of Haitian immigrants in 2021 have come in. Appearing to use whips on horseback, agents sparked national outrage as the oppressive images appeared online. Civil rights activists called out the racist double standard in the distinct manner Haitians were being pushed back into the dangerous waters of the Rio Grande near Del Rio, TX.
The accountability page for the CBP indicates the horse patrol agents use excessive force following the investigation into treatment of Haitian migrants. The agents wil be disciplined and theCBP organization will take actions to improve management. However, the results of this long-awaited probe released on Friday, July 8 did not specify the precise actions that will be applied to the 4 officers charged.
The report indicated, "The investigative findings show that the agency failed to appropriately task, supervise, and exercise command and control over the Horse Patrol Units in Del Rio on September 19, 2021. Several Border Patrol Agents used force or the threat of force to attempt to drive migrants back into the Rio Grande River towards the U.S.-Mexico border, though there is no evidence that any migrants were forced to return to Mexico or denied entry to the United States. Additionally, the Office of Professional Responsibility found multiple instances in which Agents acted inappropriately during the incident, including one Border Patrol Agent who was found to have used denigrating and inappropriate language and to have maneuvered his horse unsafely near a child."
Corrective actions will include: "Changes to practices, training, and operational methods to address management failures that contributed to the incident, stricter limits on the use of the horse patrol, and strengthening leadership and agency accountability. " Notably, it did not say that any of the officers would be fired or moved to other duty stations.
Additionally, a the conduct of the border patrol agents and teh organization as a whole is currently under the lens of a Disciple Review Board.
In response to the release of the investigation findings, CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus issued a statement: addressing disciplinary goals. The statement in its entirety follows:
“The primary goal of this comprehensive investigation was to establish the facts of what happened in Del Rio. The release of this report is a critical step in order to hold our agency accountable for this incident and to help ensure we do better in the future.
“The report showed there were failures to make good decisions at multiple levels of the organization. Failures to maintain command and control over Horse Patrol Units, lack of appropriate policies and training, and the overall chaotic nature of the situation at Del Rio at the time contributed to the incident. Several agents engaged in unprofessional or dangerous behavior, including one instance in which an agent used denigrating and offensive language.
“We have already begun making changes to address agency shortcomings identified in the report, including revising the policies and procedures for utilization of horse patrol units, strengthening command and control during large-scale operations, and development of new trainings.
“Additionally, following the Department of Homeland Security-wide review on employee accountability and discipline announced on June 16, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be reviewing its own discipline processes and policies. I commit to continuing to review the agency’s actions and making changes so we can do better in the future.
“As we focus on what went wrong, it’s important to note the vast majority of Border Patrol Agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel acted with honor and integrity and provided an unprecedented response to the situation in Del Rio—fulfilling operational and processing needs and going above and beyond to provide humanitarian aid and keep people safe. I am grateful for and proud of their work.”
DHS Secretary Mayorkas defended the overall repuation of border agents in the follwoing statement...
Statement from DHS Secretary Mayorkas:
“The misconduct of several individuals does not reflect the brave and distinguished service of the Agents of the United States Border Patrol. The organizational failures of policy, procedures, and training that the investigation identified were a disservice to the Agents and the public they serve. CBP must and will do better.
“While the individual discipline process is underway, CBP is implementing the needed reforms and will continue to do so. This critical work will proceed with the urgency and commitment that the highest ideals of the law enforcement profession and service to country compel, respectful of fundamental civil rights and civil liberties.”
REportedly, investiators never spoke to migrants The U.S. flew them back to Haiti where recovery efforts form major hurricanes were still underway. The state of Texas opted not to prosecute any of the agents.