70 former US employees connected to Facebook groups with obscene and mocking messages

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Earlier this month, media reports revealed secret Facebook groups apparently linked to CBP, which contained vulgar and sexually explicit publications. A Facebook group, nicknamed "I am 10-15", was exposed by the ProPublica investigation report group and reportedly included current and former border patrol officers.

The deputy commissioner of the CBP's Office of Professional Liability, Matt Klein, told reporters on Monday during a phone call that the majority of people identified so far belonged to the group "I have 10-15 years, "while some were part of other groups on Facebook, including" Real CBP Nation, "which CNN reported earlier this month.

"We anticipate that the number of cases will continue to increase as we receive additional information, conduct further research, and conduct interviews," Klein said.

CBP officials said at the time that they were investigating "a disruptive activity on social networks".

"We take very seriously all the messages published today, which do not represent the opinion of the men and women of the US Border Patrol." Each of these allegations will be the object of 39, a thorough investigation, "said the head of border patrol operations, Brian Hastings. in an interview on "Newsroom" with Brooke Baldwin from CNN.

Hastings also stated that the posts had been entrusted to the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security. The IG DHS rejected a request from OPR investigators, but the GI's comments guide further investigation of the OPR.

Cases were classified into different categories: those who posted inappropriate photos or memes; those who made inappropriate comments; and those who have been identified as associates, but not as posters or commentators, or a person marked by another user, according to Klein.

When asked if Border Patrol Leader Carla Provost was one of the 70 identified, Ms. Klein replied that she would not comment on individuals.

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"The OPR conducts a very thorough review and investigation of all those who have posted, commented on, or been aware of any of these positions," he said.

The disciplinary measures that will be taken against identified individuals are unclear. Earlier this month, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan said several CBP employees had been commissioned after offensive publications on Facebook were revealed.

"We have already assigned several agents to administrative tasks, we have sent letters of cessation and abandonment to others.This investigation is continuing and agents will be held responsible if they are CBP employees who have committed inappropriate acts, "said McAleenan.

The question is not new, however, with regard to the protection of customs and borders. In 2018, Klein warned all employees of the agency of potential discipline, having been informed of the existence of a private Facebook group with inappropriate and offensive publications, according to a memo obtained by CNN.

The memo, dated February 2018 and titled "Social Media Messages", did not identify a specific Facebook group, but reminded employees of the Customs and Border Protection standards of conduct, as well as anti-discrimination and anti-discrimination policies. anti-harassment for employees in the workplace and outside certain behaviors based on discrimination or harassment.

When asked about the memo, Klein stated that it had been written in response to the review of a separate allegation.

"It was a different group and the nature of the display was different, we were talking about a different employee," he said. "We did not immediately conclude that there were other groups, the two were not related."

Going back to January 2016, Klein said that CBP had had 80 more cases involving inappropriate publications of social media sites.

CNN Geneva Sands contributed to this report.

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