Border Enforcement

REPORTS ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND BORDER MILITARIZATION

American Friends Service Committee, “San Diego: A Case Study on the Impact of Enforcement on Border Communities” (January 2005).  This report analyzes the pattern and consequences of immigration raids and other Border Patrol policies affecting immigrant communities near the border, as well as the effects of local police enforcement of immigration laws.  In addition to reporting facts and case studies on these issues, the report issues policy recommendations on how to ameliorate negative consequences of current government activities.

Border Action Network, “Justice on the Line: The Unequal Impacts of Border Patrol Activities in Arizona Border Communities” (2005).  This report documents citizen relations with and perceptions of Border Patrol agents.  

Valley Movement for Human Rights, “In Our Own Backyard: A Community Report on Human Rights Abuses in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley” (2005).  This report contains a substantial section addressing abuses of authority by government officials, including case studies and examples of acts by police and federal immigration enforcement agents.  It also includes sections addressing other topics such as workers’ rights, women’s rights and access to health care.

Movimiento del Valle por los Derechos Humanos, “En Nuestra Propia Comunidad: Informe Comunitario Sobre los Abusos de Derechos Humanos en el Valle del Rio Grande de Texas” (2005).  Este reporte contiene una sección grande que describe algunos abusos de autoridad de oficiales gubernamentales, incluyendo estudios de casos específicos y ejemplos de actos cometidos por policías y agentes de inmigración.  También contiene otras secciones que tocan diversos temas como los derechos del trabajador y de la mujer, y el acceso a servicios médicos.

Human Rights Watch, “Crossing The Line: Human Rights Abuses along the Border with Mexico Persist Amid Climate of Impunity” (April 1995).  This very extensive report documents abuses of authority by agents of various federal immigration agencies, including the Border Patrol and Customs officials.  It contains detailed sections discussing excessive use of force and failures of administrative complaint and review procedures, among other topics.  (link)