OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
The citizens of Del Rio, Tx are standing up to defend Border Patrol agents after pictures circulating on the internet were used to misrepresent the agents as using whips to assault illegal immigrants, according to Fox News.
One resident of the small border town told a Fox News correspondent that “It brought me to tears” to see the agents mistreated by the media. They added that “These men are giving their lives, leaving their families, to come here and to secure us. I’m personally very thankful.”
“We’ve been here for 54 years … I’ve watched when there was a multitude of people coming, their kindness to them.” said the grateful resident’s wife to the reporter.
“They’re not bad people,” she said, continuing on to describe the agents as “wonderful”.
Border Patrol agents were falsely accused of using whips to deter and detain illegal immigrants after images went viral showing a secured rein flapping in the wind while a mounted agent was dealing with an illegal immigrant.
“We back them completely,” said the female. “We say don’t lie about them. Please don’t lie about them.” she added.
Another resident named Diane, who has lived on the border for a number of years stated that the “Border Patrol are phenomenal.”
Joe Biden described the actions of the Border Patrol as “horrible” and “outrageous”, insisting that the Border agents “would pay” for abusing the immigrants.
The Department of Homeland Security was dispatched to investigate the situation. Meanwhile, mounted patrols were temporarily stopped and the officers were given different assignments.
When White House Press Secretary was asked about any new information that was now known about the incident, including pictures from other angles, altered the message from the administration, she said; “I don’t think anyone could look at those photos and think that was an appropriate action.”
Residents were honest that their initial reaction was shock, but they expressed a change of opinion once they saw the entire incident from other angles. A resident told a Fox News reporter that; “At first I thought … ‘Oh my god, what are they doing.’”
Adding; “Actually, when I saw the whole video, I saw it wasn’t intentional. They were just doing their job.”
“They are doing their best.” commented another resident of Del Rio.
One man did express to Fox News that he believed the Border Patrol were “chasing people like sheep”, which appeared inhumane.
Jose Carlos, a local entrepreneur, said to Fox News; “What they’re doing is putting just images, and when you see the video, they’re trying to get people not to cross back anymore.”
“They do a very very hard job,” Carlos added.
“I think they need to get a little bit more credit for what they do.” he concluded.
