Pressures On

Finding a national issue that hadn’t been beaten with the controversy stick repeatedly and that still enticed me to commit a minimum of 350 words to was a little difficult. Searching the usual sources I noticed a repeating headline this week though, “Use-of-forces policies”. It seems that Congress and watchdog groups alike are calling for tougher restrictions on the use of force by U.S. border agents and more transparency including the release of a recent audit that highly suggested policy reform. This was brought on by the Tribune Washington Bureau, which made it public that the results of an independent audit into the “use-of-force” policies of the U.S Customs and Border Protection Agency were less than desirable.

For me, the accusation that the border agency is less than tidy in carrying out it’s policies isn’t exactly surprising. They have few mandates giving Congress the ability to exercise oversight and are dealing primarily with individuals that do not have the same rights as U.S. citizens.

Now reading through numerous articles I find the lack of information in which to build my argument a little frustrating. I wouldn’t be the only one. The non-transparency of the border agency is alarming and according to many, especially Spanish-language media, it has been for years.“Border agents that kill Mexicans are rarely punished” according to the L.A Times when referring to Mexican authorities sentiments on the issue.

I understand that maybe these officers must endure an environment with limited resources. That the agency in which they are employed is highly politicized and their relevance swaying with each administration but it’s no excuse for the tactics used. “Lack of diligence” accused Tribune Washington Bureau, criticizing the border agency’s investigations into the 19 cases that resulted in death. There are still 8 more death related cases not yet reviewed that bring the total to a whopping 27 since 2010.

Border Protection officers are using lethal force in completely non-lethal situations.  Using firearms to respond to rock throwing and stepping in front of moving cars to justify firing shots at the occupants. They are not being held to a standard that is fitting to represent the Unites States or suited for protecting U.S and Mexican citizens alike. What’s more alarming is that this report is the result of an investigation commissioned by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency itself but yet they refuse to release the findings to the public or Congress.

Obviously, a few things stink here and I’m hoping that if lawmakers get their, way releasing the report, that it will only be the beginning. That by reviewing all the findings, safe guards and policies will be set so negligence will not run amok.