SEATTLE - In recent months, migrants trying to cross into the United States have reported an increase in abuses from Border Patrol and Texas National Guard agents. But in New Mexico, there are increasing reports about opposed situations, as federal prosecutors continue to charge individuals with assaulting U.S. Border Patrol agents
According to a joint statement from U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez of Las Cruces, El Paso Border Patrol Chief Agent Scott Good, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of Albuquerque, recent such cases in New Mexico "highlight the risks faced by federal officers and the Department of Justice's commitment to their safety and security."
The two most recent cases took place in September just across the Texas state line west of El Paso, according to Border Report. On Sept. 19, three agents spotted a group of men illegally crossing from Mexico through Mount Cristo Rey. One migrant allegedly tried to run, stopped and attempted to break a cell phone on a rock, then throwing it at the agent's head.
According to court records, an agent attempted to arrest the man in question and handcuffed him, but he proceeded to punch, kick and bite the agent. Records show that Prieto also grabbed the agent's radio so he could not call for backup.
The man was eventually arrested and charged with assault of a federal agent engaged in the performance of his duties. He remains in custody of the U.S. Justice Department and awaits his trial.
A few days later, another man was spotted by a surveillance camera climbing over the border wall in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
Court documents filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico show that the man resisted the arrest and threw a handful of dirt at the agent's face, hitting him in the eyes. The Border Patrol agent was taken to the hospital after making the arrest, where he was diagnosed with a corneal abrasion of his right eye. He is scheduled to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Abuses against agents are on the rise
According to NewsNationNow, agents along the U.S.-Mexico border are facing a growing number of violent threats and assaults. In Fiscal Year 2023, Customs and Border Protection reported 571 assaults on border agents and between October of 2023 and April of 2024, 207 more assaults on agents took place. The sector with the most violent cases was in El Paso, registering 49 violent incidents.
According to the most recent data released by CBP, as of August 2024, CBP agents have faced 325 assaults during Fiscal Year 2024, which ended on Sept. 30.
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