The Border Patrol's Legacy of Violence and Inequity Must End Now

Understanding the Deep-rooted Issues with Border Patrol

The recent incidents in Minneapolis have forced many to reckon with the troubling realities surrounding the U.S. Border Patrol. While many are shocked by the violence and racial profiling on public display, this behavior is not new. It is, in fact, a continuation of practices embedded in the agency since its inception.

Historical Context: A Legacy of Control

The U.S. Border Patrol was established in 1924, just days after the signing of the Johnson-Reed Immigration Act, which implemented restrictive quotas favoring Northern European immigrants. The agency was created with a colonial mindset, aiming not just to patrol the borders but to exert control over marginalized communities. It set a precedent for aggressive tactics and racial profiling that have persisted over the decades.

“If you are uncomfortable with what the Border Patrol is doing in Minneapolis, you are uncomfortable with the Border Patrol, full stop.”

The Growth of the Agency and its Methods

Today, the Border Patrol boasts around 20,000 agents, expanded from just 1,500 in the 1970s. This expansion has seen the agency extend its policing methods away from the border and into interior U.S. communities. Approximately 50 million vehicles are screened annually at checkpoints located far from the border, often leading to racial profiling and undue harassment of U.S. citizens.

• The Southern Border Communities Coalition reported 364 fatal encounters with Border Patrol agents since 2010.
• Instances of agents causing fatalities highlight a dangerous trend, including the killings of Mexican teenagers while they were on the Mexican side of the border.
• A 2025 ruling from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights placed responsibility for multiple human rights violations—including torture—by U.S. agents in custody.

Unpacking the Rhetoric of Change

In response to public outcries, political figures often propose leadership changes or surface-level reforms as solutions. But the issues at hand run much deeper than a mere change in command. Misconduct within the agency is not just an issue of ''bad apples''; it's symptomatic of an ingrained culture that values aggressive enforcement over human dignity.

“Reforming the Border Patrol requires a complete reevaluation of its foundational principles.”

Public Accountability: The Path Forward

If we are to seek solutions, we must start with accountability. This includes banning the use of race in policing tactics, removing agents from American cities, and significantly reducing the declared “border zone.” Greater oversight mechanisms must be established to hold Border Patrol accountable for their actions, and community voices must lead these discussions.

The Call for Action

The tragic killing of Alex Pretti cannot just be a wake-up call; it must galvanize a movement toward change. We need to rethink what border enforcement means in this country and initiate tough conversations about the implications of a militarized approach to law enforcement. The Border Patrol must be held accountable for its actions, which reflect a historical legacy of oppression rather than protection.

As we demand accountability, let us also investigate how similar agencies across various municipalities are employing these policing tactics. Understanding and confronting the culture within the Border Patrol is not merely an immigration issue; it is a larger fight for justice and equality that affects us all.

Conclusion

When agencies permit themselves to operate outside the bounds of accountability, they create a dangerous precedent. We must dismantle this paradigm and advocate for a system that respects human rights and embodies the true essence of justice.

For more details on this troubling issue, visit the original article on The New York Times.