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Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection,

(Washinton D.C.)-U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published the findings of the Office of Professional Responsibility’s investigation of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Horse Patrol Unit activity in Del Rio, Texas, on September 19, 2021. The investigation concluded that there were failures at multiple levels of the agency, a lack of appropriate policies and training, and unprofessional and dangerous behavior by several individual Agents.

The investigation found no evidence that agents struck any person with horse reins. In keeping with the agency’s and the Department of Homeland Security’s commitment to transparency and accountability, and given significant interest from the workforce, Congress, and the public, CBP is releasing the Office of Professional Responsibility investigative report of this incident in its entirety on the Accountability and Transparency page of its website. with names redacted in order to protect individuals’ privacy. For the full report, click here.

CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility conducts its investigations with integrity and independence, free from outside influence. Its investigation of the horse patrol activity in Del Rio adhered to these standards. The investigation included more than 30 interviews with eyewitnesses, Agents involved directly and indirectly with the incident, U.S. Border Patrol leadership and CBP officials. Investigators also collected and reviewed all available video footage, photographic evidence from multiple angles, and documents related to the incident.

The investigative findings show that the agency failed to appropriately task, supervise, and exercise command and control over the Horse Patrol Units in Del Rio on September 19, 2021. Several Border Patrol Agents used force or the threat of force to attempt to drive migrants back into the Rio Grande River towards the U.S.-Mexico border, though there is no evidence that any migrants were forced to return to Mexico or denied entry to the United States.

Additionally, the Office of Professional Responsibility found multiple instances in which Agents acted inappropriately during the incident, including one Border Patrol Agent who was found to have used denigrating and inappropriate language and to have maneuvered his horse unsafely near a child.

In response to the Office of Professional Responsibility’s findings, CBP leadership is taking a series of corrective actions to remedy the organizational and management issues identified in the report. These include changes to practices, training, and operational methods to address management failures that contributed to the incident, stricter limits on the use of the horse patrol, and strengthening leadership and agency accountability. Specific organizational corrective actions are identified below.

Separately, CBP initiated a Discipline Review Board to consider the individual conduct of certain Border Patrol Agents involved in this incident and has proposed disciplinary action for four agents consistent with CBP policy. The disciplinary process follows, but is distinct from, the fact-finding investigation and is conducted by a Discipline Review Board that is comprised of senior leaders appointed from across CBP and is independent of the Office of Professional Responsibility. That process is underway. The results of the discipline process will be made public following its completion, in a manner which protects the integrity of the process and the legal rights of those involved. In addition, CBP is conducting a review of its current disciplinary process and will make reforms as needed to ensure transparency, consistency, and accountability.

The event under investigation occurred during an unprecedented surge in migration in one location by the international bridge in Del Rio on September 19, 2021. Over the course of several days, U.S. Border Patrol Agents processed, screened, and vetted more than 30,000 migrants by the international bridge. Agents worked with officials from other federal agencies and non-profit organizations to provide food, hygiene supplies, COVID-19 testing, and medical care to address the humanitarian needs of those attempting to migrate, many of whom included families with young children. The Border Patrol faced extraordinary challenges in responding to the larger situation in Del Rio.

Set forth below is a more detailed overview of the investigative process, the investigative results, the corrective actions CBP is taking, and the separate disciplinary process now underway.

In response to the release of the investigation findings, CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus issued the following statement:

“The primary goal of this comprehensive investigation was to establish the facts of what happened in Del Rio. The release of this report is a critical step in order to hold our agency accountable for this incident and to help ensure we do better in the future.

“The report showed there were failures to make good decisions at multiple levels of the organization. Failures to maintain command and control over Horse Patrol Units, lack of appropriate policies and training, and the overall chaotic nature of the situation at Del Rio at the time contributed to the incident. Several agents engaged in unprofessional or dangerous behavior, including one instance in which an agent used denigrating and offensive language.

“We have already begun making changes to address agency shortcomings identified in the report, including revising the policies and procedures for utilization of horse patrol units, strengthening command and control during large-scale operations, and development of new trainings.

“Additionally, following the Department of Homeland Security-wide review on employee accountability and discipline announced on June 16, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be reviewing its own discipline processes and policies. I commit to continuing to review the agency’s actions and making changes so we can do better in the future.

“As we focus on what went wrong, it’s important to note the vast majority of Border Patrol Agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel acted with honor and integrity and provided an unprecedented response to the situation in Del Rio—fulfilling operational and processing needs and going above and beyond to provide humanitarian aid and keep people safe. I am grateful for and proud of their work.”