Border truth
Turning tragedy into political fodder only undermines real safety efforts.
The Border Patrol’s records over the past decade show that agents are far more likely to die in an onthe-job accident than in a confrontation with criminals.
The tragic death of a Border Patrol agent in West Texas is a sad reminder that the politics around immigration and border security is too often based on distortions, partisan posturing and outright lies.
This dishonest debate has real impact on immigrants and law enforcement.
Border Patrol agents Rogelio Martinez and Stephen Garland were badly injured late at night on Nov. 18 near Van Horn. Martinez died a few hours later.
Before an investigation could begin, President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Gov. Greg Abbott all said the agents had been attacked and renewed their calls for increased security on the U.S.-Mexico border.
They never talked to Culberson County Sheriff Oscar Carrillo, one of the first responders to the injured agents. He said the talk of an attack was ill-informed and said their injuries were consistent with a fall. Carrillo was criticized by the National Border Patrol Council and others for daring to say what he saw.
But earlier this month, after 10 weeks of investigation, the FBI issued a statement saying it had found no evidence of an attack. Though the investigation continues, the FBI said evidence points to a fall or accident as the likely cause of the agents’ injuries.
The FBI has conducted a thorough investigation and continues to do so. More than 650 people have been interviewed, and the bureau brought in numerous outside experts to assist.
Kevin McAleenan, the acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, sent an email to agents saying “no viable evidence against any criminal element has been developed.”
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, tweeted in November that he promised Martinez’s mother “that we will find out who is responsible and hold them accountable,” but he didn’t try to advance a political agenda. After the FBI report, Cornyn stepped forward as a statesman.
“I just think that maybe it’s a cautionary tale that all of us need to take a deep breath when things like this happen and realize that we don’t have all the information and wait until we get a little more information before reaching conclusions,” he said.
What do Trump, Cruz and Abbott have to say now? Nothing.
They decided early on to exploit a Border Patrol agent’s death for their political purposes. They were far from alone. Political and media figures have continually pushed a distorted portrayal of immigrants and the border as a way to advocate for increased border security and decreased immigration. Facts simply aren’t important.
This approach makes the jobs of Border Patrol agents more difficult. If what happened in Van Horn was an accident, the Border Patrol should review training and take the necessary steps to better protect agents in the field.
The Border Patrol’s records over the past decade show that agents are far more likely to die in an on-the-job accident than in a confrontation with criminals. Since 2010, one Border Patrol agent was shot to death by a criminal while on duty; one was killed in a friendly fire incident with fellow agents; and 10 were killed in automobile accidents.
This reality doesn’t fit neatly into the border security narrative, so you don’t see Trump, Abbott or Cruz taking to Twitter to urge a focus on better protecting agents against accidents.
Whether Agent Martinez died as the result of a homicide or an accident, his loss is a tragedy for his family, the Border Patrol and the nation. Those who rushed to politicize his death acted shamefully.
This tragedy should serve as a lesson to those who willfully distort the truth about immigration and border security. These are complex, important subjects that deserve robust but honest debate. That would be the best way to honor Agent Martinez’s sacrifice.