Sign the petition: Hold Border Patrol agents accountable for shootings

U.S. Congress

Roughly two-thirds of the United States' population, about 200 million people, lives within the 100-mile zone defined as the border zone'and all are at risk of being subjected to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) policies, which are often aggressive and unchecked.

In 2014, an independent review of 67 CBP cases involving deadly force found that some agents "deliberately stepped in front of moving vehicles to justify shooting and also fired at people throwing rocks out of frustration from the [sic] across the Mexican border." Between 2009 and January 2012, only 13 out of 809 abuse complaints against border agents resulted in disciplinary action, while "no action" was taken on 97 percent of complaints filed through nine southwestern sectors, according to an American Immigration Council (AIC) report.

Sign the petition: Border Patrol agents should wear body cameras.

In his 2017 fiscal year budget plan, President Obama requested $5 million to equip the southern region CBP with body cameras.

The cameras would be part of a “second phase” of an effort to evaluate whether CBP could incorporate body cameras into its law enforcement operations.

Organizers and advocates living on the southern border, where many of the complaints originate, cite compelling evidence from other law enforcement agencies that body cameras can help as a check against the abuse of power by law enforcement.

A 2012 study in Rialto, Calif. found that when officers were required to wear cameras recording all their interactions with citizens, public complaints against officers plunged 88% compared with the previous 12 months. Officers' use of force fell by 60% The simple knowledge that they were being watched dramatically altered law enforcement behavior.

Additionally, footage from body cameras have aided in the prosecution and conviction of police officers who used excessive and/or deadly force. It's time for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to be held to the same standard as other law enforcement agencies.

Sign the petition: Border Patrol agents should wear body cameras.

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To: U.S. Congress
From: [Your Name]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection have jurisdiction over two-thirds of the U.S. population but less accountability than other law enforcement agencies. Body cameras will help curb the use of excessive and deadly force. Fund President Obama's request for equipping Border Patrol with body cameras.