Facing repeated reports of use of excessive force by agents of the Border Patrol, legislators from both parties have joined forces to promote a law initiative which seeks stricter enforcement of accountability of Department of Homeland Security agencies, among them the Border Patrol.
Democrat Congressman Beto O'Rourke of Texas 16th district and Republican Steve Pearce, of New Mexico's second district are the main promoters of this project which will include the creation of authorized mechanisms that would allow the monitoring, verification and internal and external evaluation of the performance of federal agents, according to EFE, quoted by Fox News.
The measure has been announced a few days after the Border Patrol announced new rules that seek to guarantee that their agents perform in safe manner on the field.
As Los Angeles Times reported, the new rules of the Border Patrol, revealed on the weekend, asks agents not to stand in front of vehicles to stop their movements, one of the main reasons in which agents might discharge their firearms, and to avoid shooting people who throw rocks, "unless a rock or other object might cause them imminent damage or a serious injury."
The Border Patrol has been harshly criticized in recent years for allegedly allowing its gents to use lethal force in situations where it is not needed. According to a report quoted by the ABC's 10 News, an independent investigation revealed early this month that between 2010 and 2012, they analyzed 67 shootings which resulted in 19 death in questionable circumstances.
The same source indicated that, in fact, this has been one of the main reasons for which the Congressmen decided to join their efforts to achieve a law initiative that would guarantee more transparency and accountability from the Border Patrol, since they constantly receive reports of use of excessive force and misconduct involving agents.
The measure will seek to create an independent Border Oversight Commission, as well as creating the figure of Ombudsman with authority to examine the use of lethal force, revision process in ports of entry and to guarantee hearings to revise procedures.