August 3, 2023
Cited article by Erum Salam, The Guardian
HRRC condemns the human rights abuses being committed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Migrants must have their rights protected and border patrol agents must be held accountable for their actions.
Article Summary
In a recent report by migrant rights advocacy groups Washington Office on Latin America (Wola) and the Kino Border Initiative (KBI), it was found that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at the U.S.-Mexico border applied lethal force, intimidated and sexually harassed migrants, and falsified documents. Between 2010-2022, KBI tracked 78 documented complaints, although the number of reports is substantially higher. Nearly 95% of these cases did not result in an investigation or disciplinary action. The actual number of human rights violations cases is substantially higher, but often unreported in an official capacity.
“The lack of accountability is so widespread that it helps cement in place a culture that enables human rights violations. The abuses keep coming because impunity is so likely,” stated the authors of the report.
One migrant, Marco Antonio, was referenced in the report and claimed that U.S. CBP agents hit him with their vehicle and ran over his leg in an effort to apprehend him. Although many migrants are afraid and apprehensive of border patrol, he decided to file an official complaint, stating, "People do not have to put up with border patrol’s abuses... My case is … an example that I share with fellow migrants, so that they don’t become demoralized. If the border patrol hits you, demand your rights, because we all have rights.”