Border officers could get a minimum sentence for using horses

Border patrol agents pictured in photos last week using their horses to keep illegal immigrants out of the United States could receive “minimal” punishment – after President Biden threatened to make them “pay.”

Days after the photos first appeared – sparking controversy among some inside the Beltway who thought the reins looked like “whips” – Biden vowed that federal agents would “pay,” calling their use of their reins an issue. ” Embarrassment ‘.

“It was horrible what you see, what you saw – to see people being treated the way they did, with horses almost crushing them and people tied up. It’s scandalous. I promise you these people will pay, ”he said last Friday.

The photos went viral last week after they showed border patrol officers maneuvering their horses to prevent illegal immigrants from entering Del Rio, Texas. Democrats and activists accused officers of using their long reins as “whips” against migrants – but the photographer behind the footage said he hadn’t seen anyone whipping.

Photographer Paul Ratije admitted that officers were “swinging” the reins, but said “it can be misinterpreted when you look at the photo”.

“I never saw them whip anyone with the thing,” he said.

The Department of Homeland Security is investigating the incident and has placed the agents involved in administrative service, where they do not interact with any migrants. The Biden administration has also ended the use of horses by border patrol officers in Del Rio.

While DHS has not hinted at what repercussions federal agents might face, senior administration officials told Fox News they could only be hit with a few days of paid suspension, calling it “no problem”.

An official told the outlet that the incident was the first time the horse unit has been assigned to the bridge and the first exposure to the wave of migrants. The agents involved apparently did not have clear guidelines for the engagement, but went to help other agents along the river.

“They did their job,” the official said.

Republicans have slammed criticism of the agents, saying they are only doing their job to protect the border.

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday said the Lone Star State would hire any border patrol officers who fear being fired.

“You have a job in the state of Texas. I’m going to hire you to help Texas secure our border, ”he said on“ Fox News Sunday ”.

Abbott accused the Biden administration of putting border patrol officers in a difficult position because it failed to enforce the country’s immigration laws and secure the border.

“The person who took these photos said the Democrats’ characterization of the border patrol using them as whips, whipping people crossing the border is wrong. They were just maneuvering horses, ”he continued.