Reps Vargas, Jacobs and Castro Requesting Department of Justice Investigation into U.S. Border Patrol “Shadow Units”
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 4, 2021) – Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-51), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), and Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, urging them to investigate the allegations of “Shadow Units” or “Critical Incident Teams” within U.S. Border Patrol. These allegations were published in the San Diego Union-Tribune article, “Border Patrol has a ‘shadow police unit’ that protects agents when they kill, groups say,” on October 28, 2021.
“The allegations of ‘Shadow Units’ or ‘Critical Incident Teams’ within U.S. Border Patrol, made public by the San Diego Union-Tribune article, are very disconcerting. The accusations of obstruction of justice, corruption and extreme misconduct must be thoroughly investigated and, if true, those involved must be held accountable immediately.”
“We are requesting the Department of Justice open an investigation into these allegations. We ask that U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security cooperate throughout this investigation.”
“Government agencies and departments such as U.S. Border Patrol are established to provide safety and security to the United States and the people in our country, not to shield its agents or the agency from criminal prosecution. If these allegations are true, it will further diminish the trust between the public and law enforcement agencies.”
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire U.S.-Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his fifth term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Jacobs represents California’s 53rd Congressional District, which includes San Diego, Chula Vista, and parts of East County San Diego. Jacobs was elected in 2020, is the youngest member of the California delegation and serves on the House Committee on Armed Services and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
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