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Border Action Network Condemns Border Patrol Shooting of Immigrant in Arizona
Protecting life and dignity is securing our national borders

Tucson, AZ - Border Action Network condemns the shooting and killing of an immigrant by Border Patrol on Monday, January 4th, near Douglas, Arizona.  This instance is yet another tragic example of the urgent need for accountability and oversight of the U.S. Border Patrol and its practices. 

For years, Border Action Network has called for better training of Border Patrol agents so that their responses may be commensurate with the level of threat and that non-lethal weapons be used.  In this instance, the individual who was reportedly throwing rocks did not deserve a retaliatory fatal bullet.  The response to throwing rocks should not be a death sentence with neither judge nor jury.

We know that Border Patrol agents carry non-lethal weapons and are regularly trained in their use.  In this case, use of those weapons could have prevented yet another loss of life and a tragedy for a family.

Too many lives have been lost along the US-Mexico border. Border Action Network will continue to urge Border Patrol to avoid these tragedies through simple changes in their policies and practices.  Protecting the lives, dignity and rights of migrants and border communities is an essential part of securing our border for the nation.

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