The London-based human rights organization Amnesty International recently released a report detailing human rights violations by INS Border Patrol agents stationed on the border between the U.S. and Mexico. The report was based on a three week long investigation conducted in September 1997.

The group found that men, women and children had been deprived of food, water and warmth and had been physically mistreated. According to the report, most of the victims of abuse were Latino; however, some members of Native American tribes were also subjected to these conditions. In addition, some of those abused were actually U.S. citizens or permanent residents who could not convince the agents that their documentation was official. The Border Patrol has denied these charges.

In addition, the report noted that the INS has greatly increased the number of Border Patrol agents without proportionally increasing the number of officials in the Office of the Inspector General who investigate complaints by detainees.

In 1996, the Border Patrol was authorized by legislation to hire 1000 new agents each year through the end of 2001. Since the beginning of this massive recruiting drive, the agency has become concerned with preserving the integrity of its workforce. New recruits are subjected to background checks, medical exams and drug tests. During the first 10 months of service, they take weekly quizzes. At the end of the 10 months they take a final exam. The agency sees these hurdles as a way to deter those who aren't serious about the job. The Border Patrol has also implemented work protocol to lessen the potential for corruption within its ranks.

The Amnesty International Report can be found at http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/aipub/1998/AMR/25100398.htm.