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US Border Patrol investigate ‘disturbing’ secret Facebook group | US Border Patrol investigate ‘disturbing’ secret Facebook group |
(about 4 hours later) | |
US officials are investigating a secret Facebook group where border patrol members allegedly posted racist and sexist jokes about migrants. | US officials are investigating a secret Facebook group where border patrol members allegedly posted racist and sexist jokes about migrants. |
The private group had about 9,500 members, including former and current border patrol agents, ProPublica reported. | |
Some posts mocked migrant deaths, while others targeted Latino members of Congress, ProPublica said. | Some posts mocked migrant deaths, while others targeted Latino members of Congress, ProPublica said. |
The Border Patrol chief has called the posts "completely inappropriate". | The Border Patrol chief has called the posts "completely inappropriate". |
"Any employees found to have violated our standards of conduct will be held accountable," Carla Provost said. | "Any employees found to have violated our standards of conduct will be held accountable," Carla Provost said. |
The group was called "I'm 10-15", ProPublica said - 10-15 being Border Patrol code for "aliens in custody". | |
According to ProPublica, members of the group mocked Latino members of Congress who visited migrant detention centres in Texas on Monday. | According to ProPublica, members of the group mocked Latino members of Congress who visited migrant detention centres in Texas on Monday. |
Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Veronica Escobar were among those said to be targeted, with members calling them "hoes" and scum buckets". | Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Veronica Escobar were among those said to be targeted, with members calling them "hoes" and scum buckets". |
In one post, a member reportedly suggested throwing burritos at them, while another depicted a doctored image that showed Ms Ocasio-Cortez performing a sex act. | In one post, a member reportedly suggested throwing burritos at them, while another depicted a doctored image that showed Ms Ocasio-Cortez performing a sex act. |
The BBC was not able to independently verify the existence of the private group, which is not publicly accessible on Facebook. | The BBC was not able to independently verify the existence of the private group, which is not publicly accessible on Facebook. |
Matthew Klein, an assistant commissioner at the CBP, said the Department of Homeland Security has launched an investigation into the group, which violated the agency's code of conduct. | Matthew Klein, an assistant commissioner at the CBP, said the Department of Homeland Security has launched an investigation into the group, which violated the agency's code of conduct. |
He said a number of CBP agents may be members of the group, without elaborating on their roles. | He said a number of CBP agents may be members of the group, without elaborating on their roles. |
Ms Ocasio-Cortez said the posts did not surprise her, saying it was "indicative" of what she saw while visiting migrant detention centres on Monday. | Ms Ocasio-Cortez said the posts did not surprise her, saying it was "indicative" of what she saw while visiting migrant detention centres on Monday. |
On Twitter, she claimed that border patrol officers had told women in cells to "drink out of the toilets". | On Twitter, she claimed that border patrol officers had told women in cells to "drink out of the toilets". |
"I see why CBP officers were being so physically and sexually threatening towards me," she tweeted after the trip. | "I see why CBP officers were being so physically and sexually threatening towards me," she tweeted after the trip. |
The CBP has not officially responded to her comments. | The CBP has not officially responded to her comments. |
However, a DHS official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Washington Post that drinking water was available, and no border agent would force migrants to drink from a toilet. | However, a DHS official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Washington Post that drinking water was available, and no border agent would force migrants to drink from a toilet. |
Ms Ocasio-Cortez and other lawmakers toured detention centres days after a harrowing picture of a drowned man and his daughter in the Rio Grande brought the migration crisis into sharp focus. | Ms Ocasio-Cortez and other lawmakers toured detention centres days after a harrowing picture of a drowned man and his daughter in the Rio Grande brought the migration crisis into sharp focus. |
Since taking office in 2017, US President Donald Trump had adopted tougher policies in an attempt to reduce the number of undocumented migrants. | Since taking office in 2017, US President Donald Trump had adopted tougher policies in an attempt to reduce the number of undocumented migrants. |
Earlier this month, Mexico reached a deal with the Trump administration to try to stem the flow of undocumented migrants travelling to the US. | Earlier this month, Mexico reached a deal with the Trump administration to try to stem the flow of undocumented migrants travelling to the US. |
Since then, deportations and detentions of undocumented migrants have reportedly increased. | Since then, deportations and detentions of undocumented migrants have reportedly increased. |
In February, Mr Trump declared an emergency on the country's southern border, saying it was necessary to tackle what he said was a crisis there. | In February, Mr Trump declared an emergency on the country's southern border, saying it was necessary to tackle what he said was a crisis there. |
Last week, the US Congress approved a $4.5bn (£3.5bn) humanitarian aid package for the US-Mexico border. | Last week, the US Congress approved a $4.5bn (£3.5bn) humanitarian aid package for the US-Mexico border. |