Border Network for Human Rights

The Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) is a nonprofit group based in El Paso, Texas, that advocates for immigration reform and human rights. The organization also documents cases of the abuse of immigrants at the hands of United States Government authorities.[1] Efforts by BNHR to systematically document and report abuse of immigrants has led to fewer incidents in the El Paso area, according to the group.[1] BNHR is working to make their approach a national model for reform.[1]

Background

Cases of abuse and misconduct between United States authorities and persons subject to their authority near the border is "pervasive," according to the Immigration Policy Center.[1] Cases have been reported that customs officers have committed acts of verbal and physical abuse at the United States-Mexico border.[2][3] Cases described as "hate crimes" against illegal immigrants by the Los Angeles Times, have occurred at the border and been allegedly committed by Border Patrol agents.[4] In addition, many agents who have committed acts of abuse against people crossing at the border are often not disciplined.[5]

About

Suzan Kern was one of the first coordinators of the group, which was first known as the Border Rights Coalition (BRC).[6] It was created in the early 1990s by lawyers, civil rights activists,[7] and church groups in El Paso.[8] The group began documenting alleged cases of abuse carried out by Border Patrol, U.S. Customs, and other immigration law enforcement agencies in the area.[9] BRC was also active in protesting the treatment of immigrants.[10] The name was changed to Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) in 2001.[7] After the election of Donald Trump, BNHR along with the Reform Immigration for Texas group created educational forums for immigrants to fully understand their Constitutional rights.[11]

References
  1. Peter, Tom A. (21 March 2014). "Fernando Garcia Bridges the Gap between Residents and Law Enforcers in El Paso, Texas". The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 2017-04-28. Retrieved 26 April 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Complaint: U.S. Border and Customs officers abusing residents along Texas, New Mexico". chicagotribune.com. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  3. Aguilar, Julian (2016-05-18). "Federal Border Officials in El Paso Accused of Coercion, Abuse". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  4. Dunn, Ashley (1991-02-05). "Rights Coalition Plans Border Violence Probe : Immigration: Group claims aliens are being targeted by law enforcement officers. Border Patrol blames bandits for the escalation of crimes". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  5. Ordonez, Franco. "Border Patrol rarely punishes agents accused of abuse, study shows". McClatchy DC. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  6. "Border Patrol Agents Accused of Setting Booby Traps". The Kerrville Times. 26 May 1995. Retrieved 26 April 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Immigrant advocacy groups condemn Trump's border plan". El Paso Times. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  8. Martinez, Demetria (8 October 1993). "INS Border Patrol Clamps Down". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 26 April 2017 – via HighBeam Research.
  9. "Critics Claim Immigration Abuses". The Galveston Daily News. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Report Shows Marines Slow to Render Aid in Border Shooting". Del Rio News Herald. 20 June 1997. Retrieved 26 April 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Contreras, Russell (1 December 2016). "Activists to Hold 100 Immigrant Forums". The Brownsville Herald. Retrieved 26 April 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
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