By Los Angeles Times Editorial Board The new head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s internal affairs office made a troubling assertion late last week. Since 2004, he said, the agency has apparently taken no disciplinary action against any of its agents who have used deadly force. That follows a report released in February by…
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…
By Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com James Tomsheck, who was forced to resign as internal affairs for CBP, said the agency made it difficult for him to investigate internal complaints. NPR reports that Tomscheck believes some Border Patrol agents aren’t being held accountable because of a culture that evades legal restraints. Tomscheck said about a quarter of…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com What’s it like protecting the border? The U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona is hosting a Citizens Academy beginning Oct. 15 to give residents and community leaders an inside look at the agency. The idea is to provider a greater sense of Border Patrol’s mission and its duties. Leaders warned that participants should…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com A federal investigation into claims that a Border Patrol agent drew his gun on an Iowa Boy Scout has found no evidence of wrongdoing, Homeland Security announced Monday. During the investigation, which cost the inspector general’s office $19,000, feds reviewed surveillance video and interviewed children and adults, the Washington Post reports. “All…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Border Patrol agents have tried to alter details of at least seven “highly suspect” deaths since 2010, a former internal affairs official for CBP told the Center for Investigative Reporting. “In nearly every instance, there was an effort by Border Patrol leadership to make a case to justify the shooting versus doing…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com More than 10 militia groups are patrolling the Texas-Mexico border despite objection from the federal government, the San Antonio Express-News reports. The newspaper obtained more than 30 photos showing the armed militia members in camouflage, tactical gear and masks. CBP responded that it does not “endorse or support any private group or…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Republicans are complaining that environmental laws intended to protect land and wildlife are hampering efforts to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, The Hill reports. About 800 miles along the Mexico-U.S. border – or 40% of the land – is controlled and protected by the Interior Department. The federal land protections are restricting…
