Border Patrol in El Paso area to test body cameras

The U.S. Border Patrol is undergoing a 90-day test period in areas including the El Paso sector and others in New Mexico, Florida, Michigan, and Washington state.

The Border Patrol wants to know if the cameras can be used in the field to better serve the public and the agents.

After numerous complaints of “use of force” by Border Patrol agents across the U.S. Mexico border, agents will now be testing body cameras.

For years civil rights activists and immigrant advocates have been saying
there needs to be more transparency and accountability when it comes to actions by agents on the border. They say the cameras can be a powerful tool in making that happen but some don’t agree.

Santa Teresa, New Mexico has vast desert landscape with little population and activity.

It’s also a place where Border Patrol agents come across illegal immigrants and drug smugglers far from where many can see but that might change soon.

Body mounted cameras similar to what some police use are being field tested by agents along the border.

The cameras show the stark reality of what happens in the field.

“This is a good idea. This is something that Border Network has been advocating for,” said Fernando Garcia.

Garcia is executive director for Border Network for Human Rights. He says this is part of a larger reform for enforcement at the border.

“This comes on the heels of a number of incidents in the last four or five years,” Garcia said.

An example that made national headlines is the 2010 Border Patrol shooting of Adrain Guereca.

Guereca was shot after throwing rocks at an agent who was trying to apprehend an illegal border crosser. The agent did not face criminal charges.

Garcia says the cameras can have several benefits.

“One of them is to have transparency and accountability,” Garcia said.

And the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency agrees.

They sent ABC-7 this statement:

“The Border Patrol anticipates the use of this equipment will also allow our community members to have more insight as to what our agents do on a daily basis and what challenges they face.”

A spokesperson for the Border Patrol agents union says they have questions how the cameras will be used. Saying they’re concerned whether the cameras could be used for administrative violations.

The cameras have only been tested by about three dozen agents in the field from New Mexico to Washington.

A spokesman for the Border Patrol in El Paso tells ABC-7 agents in Santa Teresa will be testing the cameras soon.