By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Civil rights lawyers are suing federal government to force the disclosure of the name of the Border Patrol agent who shot and killed a 16-year-old teen in the back.
“This is an extraordinary request by the government and just one more example of how the Border Patrol attempts to shield its unlawful actions from the public. The rule of law demands transparency—that’s all we’re asking for,” said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU’s national Immigrants’ Rights Project in a news release.
The body of Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez was found about 40 feet from the border near the port of entry in Nogales.
Border Patrol said the agent was responding to rock throwers, but a witness disputes that.
CBP has agreed to release the name of the agent, but only if the identity is kept hidden from the public.
“The public interest in knowing the identity of a federal agent sued for the use of deadly force during his official duties is paramount,” attorneys wrote.
