Just days after video surfaced of Border Patrol mounted on horseback swinging lariats as they aggressively rode around Haitian migrants near Del Rio, Tex., the Biden administration are the ones riding the reins, suspending the use of horseback patrols at the border.
"We have ceased the use of the horse patrol in Del Rio temporarily," a Department of Homeland Security official said at a news briefing. "We'll prioritize other methods for identifying individuals who might be in medical distress."
Vice President Kamala Harris in particular took issue with the footage.
"What I saw depicted about those individuals on horseback treating human beings the way they were was horrible," Harris said Tuesday. "Human beings should never be treated that way."
One video featured a mounted border patrol agent telling a migrant, “This is why your country's s--t, because you use your women for this” as he stood amidst a group of women and children.
The agents in the video have been moved to administrative duty while an internal investigation takes place, according to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas who also said they plan to conclude the investigation by the end of next week.
The issue has also drawn the interest of the department’s Office of Inspector General.
Related
