U.S. Customs and Border Protection mounted officers attempt to contain migrants as they cross the Rio Grande from Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, into Del Rio, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
Haitian Migrants Photo Gallery
WASHINGTON DC (77WABC) – The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general has “declined to investigate” the conduct of horse-mounted border patrol officers in Del Rio, Texas, chasing Haitian migrants as they attempted to cross the U.S. Mexico border.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had promised a swift and impartial investigation after photographs and video footage of the Sept. 19th incident emerged, prompting a national uproar. Figures from mainstream media to members of Congress decried the treatment of the Haitian migrants as “inhumane” after many falsely believed that the horse-mounted border control agents were whipping the migrants. Turns out the border agents were not using whips on migrants, but reins used to control the horse. The photographer who took the photo also said he never saw any migrants being whipped.
President Biden also weighed in on the controversy at the time saying, “There will be consequences. It’s an embarrassment.” He added, “It’s wrong. It sends the wrong message around the world. It sends the wrong message at home. It’s simply not who we are.”
Tuesday’s DHS released a statement which in part reads:
“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides this update regarding the investigation of horse patrol activity in Del Rio, Texas on September 19, 2021. The activity under investigation, which was captured in photographs and video that circulated nationwide, occurred during the large gathering of Haitian and other migrants near the International Bridge,” DHS released Tuesday morning. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initially referred the investigation to DHS’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG declined to investigate and referred the matter back to CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). OPR then immediately commenced investigative work, including its review of videos and photographs and the interview of witnesses, employees, and CBP leadership. OPR has followed customary process in its investigation of this matter.”
The statement goes on to read, “DHS remains committed to conducting a thorough, independent, and objective investigation,” the agency said. “DHS will share information, as available, consistent with the need to protect the integrity of the investigation and individuals’ privacy.”
