According to experts, the Border Patrol is not as well-equipped as big city police to handle crowds and situations involving protesters, some of whom may be legally armed.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
Federal officials are investigating the killing of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis. The CBP is conducting its own investigation amidst criticism of their use of force. Experts argue that immigration officers lack the necessary policing skills for urban crowd control. NPR’s law enforcement correspondent Martin Kaste reports.
MARTIN KASTE, BYLINE: Customs and Border Protection, with over 45,000 officers, is often referred to as the nation’s largest police department. However, their presence in urban environments is still unfamiliar to many Americans…
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER: That’s not the time. Did you know that?
(CROSSTALK)
KASTE: …Pushing back protesters and using chemical irritants on them.
IRENE VEGA: The skills of federal immigration agents are ill-suited for the needs of these cities.
KASTE: Irene Vega, a sociologist at UC Irvine, has studied border officers’ use of force attitudes, noting their specific institutional culture.
VEGA: They viewed themselves differently, often citing their desert training and encounters with compliant individuals.
KASTE: Minnesota officials have called for CBP and ICE to step back from their policing tactics. Governor Tim Walz emphasized the distinction between immigration enforcement and law enforcement in the state.
KASTE: Concerns arise as immigration officers, now outnumbering Minneapolis police, face challenges in this new environment. After Pretti’s shooting, federal officials blamed him for carrying a gun, sparking criticism from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus.
BRYAN STRAWSER: Federal officers, especially those unfamiliar with Minnesota laws, should be informed about our regulations.
KASTE: CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott acknowledged the shift in dynamics, as they are compelled to engage in crowd control.
KASTE: Local leaders have urged peaceful protests and non-interference with officers. This is not the first time CBP has faced pressure to reform its practices.
KASTE: Retired federal trainer Kawika Lau highlights the importance of de-escalation techniques in one-on-one interactions but questions CBP’s readiness for crowd scenarios.
KASTE: Governor Walz announced a productive call with President Trump, discussing a reduction in federal agents in Minnesota. Police reform expert Chuck Wexler suggests a tactical pause following recent shootings involving federal officers.
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