US border agents allegedly forced detained man to hold sign reading ‘I like men’
A metal fence marked with the US Border Patrol sign prevents people to get close to the barbed wire covering the US/Mexico border fence (Ariana Drehsler/AFP/Getty)
US Border Patrol agents allegedly forced a man being detained to hold a sign reading “I like men.”
CNN has published details of the allegations, which were made by a serving US Customs and Border Patrol agent who claims to have witnessed the incident on March 5.
In emails to supervisors, the agent claimed he witnessed an incident at a border processing facility in Texas, in which a man from Honduras was humiliated by other officers.
Man allegedly ordered to parade ‘I like men’ sign
According to the emails, the detained man was handed a sign that reads “Me gustan los hombres”—which translates to “I like men”—and ordered to parade it in front of a group of detainees at the facility.
The witness claims that he challenged two border officials over the behaviour, and reported the incident to a supervisor, who took no action.
A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Patrol told CNN: “I am forwarding to the Office of Professional Responsibility, the office charged with looking into these allegations.”
The claims come after acting Department of Homeland Secretary Kevin McAleenan ordered a probe of Border Force agents’ conduct.
Trump administration probing Border agents conduct
McAleenan said he would investigate after ProPublica alleged that officers had a secret Facebook group in which they joked about the deaths of migrants and made vulgar and racist jokes.
In a Twitter thread, the Trump administration official said: “Reporting this week highlighted disturbing & inexcusable social media activity that allegedly includes active Border Patrol personnel.
CNN published allegations that a man was forced to carry the sign by Border Patrol agents
“These statements are completely unacceptable, especially if made by those sworn to uphold the @DHSgov mission, our values & standards of conduct.
“I have directed an immediate investigation, and as the @USBPChief has made clear, any employee found to have compromised the public’s trust in our law enforcement mission will be held accountable.
“They do not represent the men and women of the Border Patrol or @DHSgov.”
