A Texas Republican said Border Patrol agents seen abusing Haitian migrants are doing 'God’s work'

U.S. Border Patrol agents on horseback were recently filmed using their reins to whip at Haitian migrants who were trying to cross the U.S./Mexico border, and Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas — not to be confused with fellow Republican Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio — has been defending what others are denouncing as cruelty.
During a September 21 appearance on CNN, the 40-year-old Gonzales said, "It's a very desperate situation, and they're doing God's work, fighting everything they can…. The last thing any of us want to see is the mistreatment of anyone, to include migrants, but when you have tens of thousands of people and only hundreds of Border Patrol agents, it creates a very desperate situation."
Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) defends Border Patrol agents caught on camera using reins on migrants: “It’s a very desp… https://t.co/QFwuurWX2h— The Recount (@The Recount) 1632230336.0
A U.S. Border Patrol agent on horseback tries to stop a Haitian migrant from entering an encampment on the banks of… https://t.co/7mioYy2uQm— NBC News (@NBC News) 1632150458.0
“This is why your country’s shit, because you use your women for this!” — mounted Border Patrol officer to Haitian… https://t.co/IT6RS26BBh— John Holman (@John Holman) 1632145399.0
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that it will be investigating the treatment of Haitian migrants near the U.S./Mexico border. In an official statement, DHS said, "The footage is extremely troubling, and the facts learned from the full investigation, which will be conducted swiftly, will define the appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken."
Business Insider's Eliza Relman described the reason why so many Haitian migrants feel a sense of desperation. In an article published on September 22, Relman explained, "Haiti is suffering from urgent humanitarian and political crises. In July, the president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated when gunmen stormed his residence. The country's top prosecutor has since said there's evidence the acting prime minister played a role in the assassination. Meanwhile, the United Nations has reported that 800,000 Haitians were impacted by the devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the country last month, which killed more than 2000 people."
A Haitian migrant recently told Al Jazeera, "Everyone knows what we Haitians are going through. There's no president. Crime is high. Students can't go to school. There's no work. The economy is down. People can't put up with that."
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki slammed the images of U.S. Border Patrol agents abusing Haitian migrants as "horrific," and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas spoke out as well:
WH Press Sec. Jen Psaki says Biden found viral videos of Border Patrol being aggressive with Haitian migrants “horr… https://t.co/892hF8CMlh— The Recount (@The Recount) 1632228844.0
WH Press Sec. Jen Psaki says Biden found viral videos of Border Patrol being aggressive with Haitian migrants “horr… https://t.co/892hF8CMlh— The Recount (@The Recount) 1632228844.0
Vice President Kamala Harris attacked the images as "horrible":
VP Kamala Harris calls videos of Border Patrol agents using reins on Haitian migrants “horrible” and says she suppo… https://t.co/cQ82Glybbd— The Recount (@The Recount) 1632241675.0
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota tweeted:
These are human rights abuses, plain and simple. Cruel, inhumane, and a violation of domestic and international la… https://t.co/EJA4GrU9u9— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar) 1632158192.0
Here are some more reactions to the treatment of Haitian migrants near the U.S./Mexico Border:
@therecount Oh yeah @TonyGonzales4TX – I forgot that little known part in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus says,… https://t.co/tSM6pxwzRe— Brian White (@Brian White) 1632234176.0
@johnholman100 The Border Patrol as an agency has been captured by the worst Americans. It needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.— Jon Spaihts (@Jon Spaihts) 1632161270.0
@jonspaihts @johnholman100 Border Patrol is where the worst vets go- the ones who love abusing power, but hate hav… https://t.co/BXRypgExgJ— Tom Radtke (@Tom Radtke) 1632243549.0
@AndrewW53809437 @NBCNews Yo this zoomed in shot reeeeally screams 1790's to me— ElysiumWorks95 (@ElysiumWorks95) 1632151405.0
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