What happens when people know their actions are so corrupt that the public, in general, would abhor them? They submerge into the foul-smelling stagnant swamp where others come to play in the darkness. These bent individuals operate in secret. ProPublica has just uncovered something that was at the very bottom of that swamp.
One of the most distressing photos to come out of this terrible time was of a father who tried but failed to save his 23-month-old daughter from the Rio Grande River. Earlier they were turned away from a legal border crossing. The two washed upon the American-side bank, his daughter’s little arm was still around her daddy’s neck. a secret Facebook page for border agents circulated the photo, which the Associated Press (AP) released. The secret group claimed that the photo must have been edited, because their lifeless bodies were so “clean,” in The ProPublica exclusive:
‘I HAVE NEVER SEEN FLOATERS LIKE THIS. could this be another edited photo. We’ve all seen the dems and liberal parties do some pretty sick things…’
Yet, was it possible that these government employees did not imagine that their own actions were “pretty sick?” About 9,500 current and former Border Patrol agents formed a three-year-old Facebook group. There are approximately 20,000 current agents. The members of the secret group used this site to share ugly comments about Latina lawmakers who wanted to tour a Texas detention facility that stored refugee children. The group sent posts calling these legislators “scum buckets” and “hoes.”
The self-described group claimed it was a forum for “funny” and “serious” Border Patrol discussion about the job:
‘Remember you are never alone in this family.’
This secret Facebook group called “I’m 10-15” talked about “throwing burritos at Latino members of Congress visiting” a Texas facility. The Border Patrol code 10-15 means “aliens in custody.” They also posted:
‘A vulgar illustration of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)Â engaged in oral sex with a detained migrant, according to screenshots of their postings.’
A 16-year-old refugee from Guatemala died in Border Control custody “at a Border Patrol station in Weslaco, Texas.” The secret group posted “indifference and wisecracks” in response. Another showed an Elmo photo with these words “Oh well.” Another posted “If he dies, he dies.”
A screenshot from the Facebook group, ran with this text:
‘That’s right bitches. The masses have spoken and today democracy won. I have returned. To everyone who knows the real me and had my back I say thank you. To everyone else? This is what I have to say…..’
A sociologist at the University of Arizona in Tucson specializes in border studies Daniel Martinez said:
‘These comments and memes are extremely troubling. They’re clearly xenophobic and sexist. (And reflect what) seems to be a pervasive culture of cruelty aimed at immigrants within CBP. This isn’t just a few rogue agents or “bad apples.”‘
The site posted very unsettling items about Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) with the text reading:
‘Lucky Illegal Immigrant Glory Hole Special Starring AOC.’
A second photo, photoshopped to show Donald Trump sexually molesting the representative by forcing her head “toward his crotch.” This was not especially surprising, although very disgusting given that a credible, well-known woman described POTUS raping her. This image carried the text:
‘That’s right bitches. The masses have spoken and today democracy won.’
A Veronica Escobar (D-TX) staffer called the posts for these two women “vile and sexist:”
‘Furthermore, the comments made by Border Patrol agents towards immigrants, especially those that have lost their lives, are disgusting and show a complete disregard for human life and dignity.’
After the leader of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Joaquin Casto (D-TX) saw the site, he was furious:
It confirms some of the worst criticisms of Customs and Border Protection. These are clearly agents who are desensitized to the point of being dangerous to migrants and their co-workers…(the agents involved) don’t deserve to wear any uniform representing the United States of America.’
Director of the Southern Border Communities Coalition, which works to reform the agency, Vicki Gaubeca said the posts represent the Border Patrol’s long history of “sexism and misogyny:”
‘That’s why they’re the worst at recruiting women. They have the lowest percentage of female agents or officers of any federal law enforcement agency.’
Other terms the group used to dehumanize the refugees were: “guats,” “wild ass shitbags,” “beaners,” “subhuman.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_s2753FGaY
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
