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Immigration

Inside the Border Patrol

Enforcing Trump’s Crackdown

The Border Patrol is the nation’s largest law enforcement agency, with some 20,000 members. But even as its power grows, it has largely evaded close scrutiny.

Impact of Our Reporting
Caret

Zero Tolerance

Six Children Died in Border Patrol Care. Democrats in Congress Want to Know Why.

Video obtained by ProPublica contradicted the Border Patrol’s account of 16-year-old Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez’s death. Now, House Democrats are pressuring the agency to explain why six migrant children died under its care in less than a year.

by Robert Moore, special to ProPublica,

Inside the Border Patrol

Revelations About a Secret Facebook Group Spawn Investigation of 70 Current and Former Border Patrol Employees

Top officials with Customs and Border Protection said the investigation was prompted by revelations that agents had posted racist and misogynistic Facebook memes. But they declined to say whether any top officials have been suspended from duty.

by Ginger Thompson,

24 stories published since 2019

House Committee to Subpoena Records on Discipline Related to Secret Border Patrol Facebook Group

by A.C. Thompson,

After a Year of Investigation, the Border Patrol Has Little to Say About Agents’ Misogynistic and Racist Facebook Group

by A.C. Thompson,

The FBI Is Investigating Massive Embezzlement of Border Patrol Union Funds

by A.C. Thompson and Jeff Ernsthausen,

A Group of Agents Rose Through the Ranks to Lead the Border Patrol. They’re Leaving It in Crisis.

by Melissa del Bosque,

Border Patrol Officials Dodged Congress’ Questions About Migrant Children’s Deaths

by Robert Moore, special to ProPublica,

Balancing the Public Interest and a Family’s Grief

by Stephen Engelberg,

Dentro de la celda donde murió el adolescente guatemalteco bajo custodia de la Patrulla Fronteriza

por Robert Moore y Susan Schmidt, en reporte especial para ProPublica, y Maryam Jameel, ProPublica,

Carlos’ Family Objects to Publication of Video Detailing His Death

by ProPublica,

Inside the Cell Where a Sick 16-Year-Old Boy Died in Border Patrol Care

by Robert Moore and Susan Schmidt, special to ProPublica, and Maryam Jameel, ProPublica,

New Video Shows Border Patrol Account of Child’s Death Was Not True

by Lucas Waldron and Katie Campbell,

Border Agents Can Now Get Classified Intelligence Information. Experts Call That Dangerous.

by Melissa del Bosque,

El caso que hizo que una exabogada de ICE se diera cuenta de que el gobierno se estaba basando en “pruebas” falsas contra los migrantes

por Melissa del Bosque,

“Dirtbag,” “Savages,” “Subhuman”: A Border Agent’s Hateful Career and the Crime That Finally Ended It

by A.C. Thompson,

The Case That Made an Ex-ICE Attorney Realize the Government Was Relying on False “Evidence” Against Migrants

by Melissa del Bosque,

Un agente de la Patrulla Fronteriza revela la realidad de ser guardia de niños migrantes

por Ginger Thompson,

A Border Patrol Agent Reveals What It’s Really Like to Guard Migrant Children

by Ginger Thompson,

Border Patrol Official Circulates Article That Deems Our Reporting on Secret Facebook Group a Threat

by Ginger Thompson,

Border Patrol Agents Are Passing Around A Commemorative Coin Mocking Care for Migrant Kids

by Dara Lind,

Immigration Officials Use Secretive Gang Databases to Deny Migrant Asylum Claims

by Melissa del Bosque,

En un grupo secreto en Facebook, agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza se burlan de inmigrantes muertos y publican memes sexistas

por A.C. Thompson,

Investigation of Secret Border Patrol Group Launched as New Degrading Facebook Posts Surface

by A.C. Thompson and Dara Lind,

Inside the Secret Border Patrol Facebook Group Where Agents Joke About Migrant Deaths and Post Sexist Memes

by A.C. Thompson,

Years Ago, the Border Patrol’s Discipline System Was Denounced as “Broken.” It’s Still Not Fixed.

by A.C. Thompson,

Over 200 Allegations of Abuse of Migrant Children; 1 Case of Homeland Security Disciplining Someone

by A.C. Thompson,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

Photo of Andy Kroll
Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

Photo of Jesse Coburn
Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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