Police Brutality

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Killing With Impunity on the U.S.-Mexico Border: The Global Color Line

 

“As the philosopher Anarchasis observed in the 6th century B.C. in comparing laws to spider webs, laws catch the weak and poor, while the rich and powerful tear them to pieces. Although not always the case, the ancient philosopher has shown himself to be prophetic in both the U.S.-Mexico borderlands and in the area of contemporary international affairs, a profoundly undemocratic arena in which the powerful demand accountability of their weaker enemies, while insulating themselves and their allies from prosecution.”

 
See on nacla.org

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The Border Patrol has a big problem with excessive force

 

“The US Border Patrol has a problem. And the face of that problem is Esteban Manzanares.

 

Manzanares, a Border Patrol agent, was on duty along the Rio Grande in March when he came across a Honduran woman and two girls who had crossed the river illegally. Instead of apprehending them, he sexually assaulted the woman and her 14-year-old daughter, slashed the mother’s wrists, and tried to break the teenager’s neck. Then he abducted the other daughter and tied her up in his home before returning to finish his shift.”
See on www.vox.com

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U.N. Human Rights Committee Scrutinizes Border Patrol Use of Force

 

“U.S. Southern Border Region – The Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) applauds the U.N. Human Rights Committee’s demand for improved reporting and effective investigations of excessive use-of-force cases by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a review of the United States human rights obligations under the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).”

 
See on soboco.org

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San Diego Border Community Rallies to Support Jose Gutierrez

Community Village‘s insight:

 

“Shena Gutierrez, the wife of Jose, released this statement on behalf of their family:

 

“Three years ago, our lives completely changed when Jose was handcuffed and taken from us to be deported to Mexico, a country he had not seen in over 3 decades. We did not think things could get any worse until March 30, 2011, when Jose was brutally beaten into a coma by Border Patrol agents. For 3 years we have been fighting for justice. The release of four names out of the eleven agents involved in the beating of my husband is not good enough! We want ALL names released! We want justice, accountability and transparency!”

 

Since the incident occurred three years ago, Shena Gutierrez has become an outspoken advocate in defense of her husband and other border families who have been affected by border brutality and abuse of power. On a few occasions, she has traveled to Washington D.C. to speak to members of Congress who have been made aware of the lack of accountability and oversight within the nation’s largest law enforcement agency.

 

Last June, she joined with the families of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas and Valeria Munique Tachiquin in a video asking their Senator to equip Border Patrol with body worn-cameras, which CBP has committed to, but has not yet implemented.  Last week, the request was once again raised, this time to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.
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See on soboco.org

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Immigration enforcement gone rogue in ‘Border Patrol Nation’

In his scathing and deeply reported examination of the U.S. Border Patrol, Todd Miller argues that the agency has gone rogue since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, trampling on the dignity and rights of the undocumented with military-style tactics.

See on www.latimes.com

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Bipartisan Duo Hopes House Can At Least Agree To Stop Border Patrol Abuses

 

“Comprehensive immigration reform efforts haven’t been successful in the House, but two members are hoping they can address at least one key piece of the issue: preventing abuse along the border that leads to invasive screenings, seizures of personal belongings, serious injuries and even deaths.”

 
See on www.huffingtonpost.com