Racist, sexist and violent images have been posted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) border agents in a Facebook group called “I’m 10-15” for years. The existence of the group, first reported by Politico, sparked national outrage for its extremity.
“What is profoundly disturbing is that the Border Patrol agents and leadership who posted these heinous things have power over migrants — including vulnerable women and children,” said Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Tex.) on Twitter. “This is truly a broken agency in desperate need of complete reform.”
What is profoundly disturbing is that the Border Patrol agents and leadership who posted these heinous things have power over migrants — including vulnerable women and children. This is truly a broken agency in desperate need of complete reform.
P.S. @Facebook is a cesspool. https://t.co/LzIJp56wxl
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) July 4, 2019
Now, The Washington Post reports that CBP was well aware of the existence and the content of the Facebook group and had investigated posts from the group on at least one occasion, as far back as 2016.
Supposedly disciplinary action was taken in 2016 but it’s not clear how many agents were reprimanded or how.
The group “I’m 10-15” has reportedly been renamed “America First” and Kevin McAleenan, acting secretary of Homeland Security, pledged “an immediate investigation” after the website ProPublica published an investigation revealing more violent, racist and sexist posts and images.
Related Article: Border Patrol Forces Migrant To Hold Sign Saying “I Like Men”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was a frequent target of the groups sexually violent posts. She hit back at the CBP on Twitter when she said on Thursday that CBP officials told members of Congress the agency didn’t know about the group.
“When members of Congress asked CBP if they knew about violently racist & sexually disturbing secret Facebook group w up to 10,000 CBP officers, they told us they just learned about it. Looks like CBP lied,” she said in a tweet.
When members of Congress asked CBP if they knew about violently racist & sexually disturbing secret Facebook group w up to 10,000 CBP officers, they told us they just learned about it.
Looks like CBP lied. Reporting shows they knew about it for *years.*
This is a big deal. ⬇️ https://t.co/cbE643Sbzv
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 4, 2019
But it hasn’t ended there. CNN found another CBP Facebook page that has about 1,000 members called “the Real CBP Nation” that is full of derogatory and lewd content.
