Reports of alleged Border Patrol and ICE misconduct have surfaced with almost regular occurrence over many years. DHS Watch has cataloged some of these reports here, here, and here. On Monday, ProPublica published an insightful and historical explanation of the origins of serious allegations of abuse, corruption, and lack of accountability plaguing the Border Patrol … Continue reading »
Today's Updates
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ICE and CBP Abuse
Vice: CBP Detains Active Duty Iranian-American Soldier
In the past month, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have gone to extreme measures to target Iranian-Americans and prevent them from re-entering their own country. In the midst of increased tensions, a Vice “Motherboard” exclusive details the seizure of an active duty American soldier’s iPhone – while traveling on official business – apparently due to … Continue reading »
ICYMI: Texas Observer “ICE Quietly Lowers (Already Low) Standards at Some Immigrant Detention Facilities”
In an attempt to covertly lower the standards of immigrant detention facilities, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has once again proven that inside the walls of its detention centers, conditions and management of its facilities are unbound by the laws. In an exposé, the Texas Observer identified the watered-down protections that would result in changes … Continue reading »
ICE Negligence Regarding Medical Care is Killing People
“There must be oversight and accountability for a department that is mercilessly killing immigrants in its own facilities and actively blocking medical care” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have once again proven that inside the walls of detention centers, their capacity for cruelty and inhumanity knows no bounds. BuzzFeed recently obtained a Department of … Continue reading »
The Death of a 16-year old in CBP Custody Was No Accident
Deterrence-Only Policy to Blame Yesterday, ProPublica released a deeply disturbing video documenting that the death of 16-year old Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vazquez while in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody last May was a preventable tragedy. The horrifying details reveal that CBP lied about what happened and covered up their actions. This brazen attempt … Continue reading »
“Shock and Awe” Against Immigrant Families: More Boundless Cruelty and More Failed Deterrence-Only Policy
A Washington Post story posted last night, “Before Trump’s purge at DHS, top officials challenged plan for mass family arrests,” highlights that the Trump White House, led by Stephen Miller, is exploring a military style “shock and awe” approach targeted against immigrant families in American cities to dissuade desperate Central American families from seeking refuge … Continue reading »
What’s Wrong With this Picture? DHS Lies, ICE Under Investigation, Journalists Under Surveillance, and Money Taken from Soldiers’ Pay and Pensions
Over the past week, we’ve seen new levels of hypocrisy from the Trump administration and congressional Republicans, as they bend over backwards to embrace Trump’s draconian immigration vision and the unpopular and unconstitutional power grab emergency declaration. According to Douglas Rivlin, Communications Director of America’s Voice, “The President’s brand is chaos, and his reelection strategy … Continue reading »
BuzzFeed: “An ICE Memo Lays Out The Differences Between Trump And Obama On Immigration Enforcement”
In a new piece for Buzzfeed, Hamed Aleaziz spotlights an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) memo that unmasks the administration’s cruel and deliberate push to deport as many immigrants as possible. The memo not only encourages attorneys to ignore requests for leniency, but also to reopen any closed cases in order to deport those who … Continue reading »
Former Border Patrol Agent Blows the Whistle on Culture of Violence, Cruelty and Impunity
Ur Jaddou: “CBP’s accountability structures are woefully lacking and way behind other large law enforcement agencies” In a new article for The Intercept, John Washington interviews a former Border Patrol agent. Using a pseudonym, “Mario” reveals instances of violence and cruelty towards immigrants, a culture of impunity and corruption, and a “green line” of protecting … Continue reading »
Glaring Need for Robust Structures of Accountability and Hiring at CBP
A Long-term Border Patrol Agent Accused of Being a Serial Killer is the Latest Example of an Agency in Need of an Overhaul The Associated Press recently reported that a ten-year U.S. Border Patrol agent and “supervisor was charged Saturday with murder in the deaths of four female sex workers following what authorities called a … Continue reading »