Exclusive: Dozens of border officials investigated for smuggling, sexual assault and bribery

Hundreds of U.S. border agents are under investigation for alleged misconduct, including human trafficking, bribery and sexual abuse. Newsweek can betray.

Official figures viewed by Newsweek show that 211 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers face charges ranging from serious crimes such as drug smuggling to non-criminal misconduct.

The documents document 17 alleged cases of domestic violence, eleven cases of sexual assault and ten cases of smuggling of migrants across the border.

Another eleven agents are being investigated for physically abusing a prisoner, while 13 are accused of having links to criminal gangs.

However, the true picture of the alleged misconduct could be much worse, because Newsweek assumes that CBP also investigates allegations of crimes against children.

These cases, which were not disaggregated in data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), are categorized by CBP as “other crimes” because they do not fit the general crime categories listed in the agency’s case management system.

All cases are reviewed by CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and involve the appropriate officers.

The findings, which relate to alleged misconduct in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, have sparked calls for an FBI investigation.

Democratic Representative Raúl Grijalva said Newsweek: “The number of CBP agents being investigated for a variety of violations is extremely concerning. If the reports are true that the investigations are being led by the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility, I fear that the integrity of the investigations is at risk.

“CBP's OPR is not an independent investigative unit; it is comprised of CBP colleagues, many of whom abused their positions of trust and were reinstated or transferred to OPR. It is known for its history of cover-ups. I would urge Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General to have the Federal Bureau of Investigations investigate these agents.”

A CBP spokesman said Newsweek: “CBP does not tolerate misconduct within our ranks. When we discover suspected or potential misconduct, we immediately refer it for investigation and fully cooperate with any criminal or regulatory investigation.

“This applies whether the alleged misconduct occurs on or off duty. Investigations are conducted thoroughly and with appropriate oversight to ensure that appropriate action can be taken when necessary, including cooperation with law enforcement.”

The revelations come against a backdrop of rising political tensions over immigration and asylum as the U.S. heads toward the 2024 elections.

Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are trying to convince voters that they can control the U.S.-Mexico border. Recent Gallup polls show that for the first time since 2005, a majority of Americans support stronger immigration restrictions. Compared to last year, the poll found a 15-point increase in support among Republicans, 11 points among independents and 10 points among Democrats.

Reaction to Newsweek Nicole Elizabeth Ramos, director of Al Otro Lado's border rights project, said in her report: “The real danger is not the asylum seekers, but the culture of impunity that allows human rights violators and criminals to police the border.”

“The agency cannot be saved,” she added.

The OPR, established with the authority to investigate corruption and misconduct, is headed by a Deputy Commissioner who reports directly to the Commissioner of CBP.

Amy Fisher, Director of Refugee and Migrant Rights at Amnesty International, said Newsweek The figures were “not surprising” and called on Congress to investigate the allegations.

“Over the past 20 years, Congress has tripled CBP's budget and nearly doubled the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents without significant oversight of the agency's misuse of federal funds, the verbal and physical abuse by its officers, its history of racism and misogyny, or even its tactics of confiscating religious items from those in its custody.

“Congress must take its oversight responsibilities seriously and seriously address the systemic nature of the abuses and the ineffective accountability mechanisms that perpetuate this systemic problem,” she said.

The findings follow a recently released report by a coalition of immigration and human rights organizations in which LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive migrants complain of abuse in CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. Of the 41 asylum seekers surveyed, a third reported experiencing sexual abuse, physical violence or harassment while in detention.

In August, a CBP agent was found guilty of kidnapping and sexually abusing a teenage girl. In June, an officer was convicted of accepting bribes to allow vehicles loaded with drugs to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.

With approximately 63,000 officers, CBP is one of the world's largest law enforcement agencies and is responsible for border management and ensuring safe international travel.

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