USBP Hero’s Brave Stand: How a Violent Invasion Was Thwarted

by – L. Richardson

In a shocking act of heroism and self-defense, a USBP agent bravely thwarted a violent, illegal invasion near the Rio Grande, upholding law and order at the border by taking righteous force against an aggressive illicit male alien. 2 This harrowing incident at the Lone Star State’s border highlights the grave reality USBP personnel face while defending America from those intent on unlawful entry, even if it means confronting hostile aggression head-on to protect national sovereignty. 2

The chilling details of the Quemado showdown, the official response condemning the male illegal alien’s assault, and the public’s strong support for the USBP agent’s justified actions will be examined, underscoring how border security demands firm resolve to maintain border integrity against violent threats. 2 Justice was undoubtedly served through the USBP heroics at the Rio Grande against the criminal alien invader.

Details of the Incident

Location and Time

On March 3, 2024, an intense confrontation unfolded in the Puebla Tree area of the Otay Mountains, approximately five miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry near the Mexico-U.S. border. 5 9 In the early morning hours, U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) agents were conducting operations in this remote region. 5 9

Individuals Involved

The key individuals involved were a group of migrants walking on a paved road, at least four suspected armed criminals, and the BORTAC Border Patrol agents. 5 9 One of the alleged criminals was a 32-year-old male Mexican citizen who was armed with a handgun. 5 9

Circumstances Leading to the Shooting

Based on witness interviews and accounts from the BORTAC agents, a tense situation rapidly escalated. 5 9 The group of migrants was approached by the armed suspects, one of whom demanded money from them. 5 9 He racked his pistol to chamber a round. He pointed the weapon directly at one of the migrants, posing an immediate threat to their lives. 5 9

The BORTAC agents observed this armed individual threaten the migrants at gunpoint. 5 9 In response to the grave danger, the BORTAC precision marksman decided to neutralize the armed threat. He fired one round, striking the armed suspect. 5 9 This split-second action was taken to protect the migrants from the imminent peril of the armed criminal’s assault. 5 9

Official Response

Statement from Border Patrol

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) responded to address the border crisis with a determination to maintain a secure border and provide humanitarian care for those in custody [26]. 1 Stern is one of 325 Border Patrol agents and more than 700 CBP officers sent from their regular duty stations across the U.S. to the southwest border with Mexico to reinforce operations [26]. 1 CBP implemented new Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), whereby specific foreign individuals entering or seeking admission to the U.S. from Mexico – illegally or without proper documentation – may be returned to Mexico and wait outside of the U.S. for the duration of their immigration proceedings, effectively ending “catch and release [27].” 1

Investigations Launched

The FBI confirmed the shooting incident as an “assault on federal agents” and launched an investigation. The FBI El Paso Violent Crime Task Force and the FBI Evidence Recovery Team were deployed to collect evidence at the crime scene. 13 The FBI is working closely with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility on this assault investigation. 13 CBP also stated that the incident is under review by its Office of Professional Responsibility. 13

In another incident, the Texas Military Department officials stated that a National Guard service member assigned to Operation Lone Star discharged a weapon in a border-related incident, which is currently under investigation. 14 The Indiana National Guard also acknowledged the incident and supported their personnel in Operation Lone Star. 14

Legal Implications

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott and Republicans in the legislature produced a law giving state law enforcement the right to detain and expel people suspected of being in the U.S. without documents, claiming a constitutional right to do so as Texas is being “invaded.” 12 However, U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra temporarily blocked Texas Senate Bill 4, stating that “the overwhelming textual and historical evidence does not support Texas’s understanding of the State War Clause.” 12

Justice for the families of those killed in border incidents was dealt a blow when the Supreme Court ruled that constitutional prohibitions and protections do not extend across the border, denying the parents of Sergio Adrián the right to sue the Border Patrol agent who shot him, leading to concerns about impunity and potential for more violence and distrust [28]. 16

Impact and Reactions

Impact on Local Community

The Eagle Pass standoff has raised fears of violence against immigrants and federal authorities in the local community. 22 Abbott’s “invasion” rhetoric and his comment that “the only thing that we’re not doing is we’re not shooting people who come across the border” have been blamed for inspiring fringe actors, with extremists making threats against a migrant processing facility in Eagle Pass they cast as a “smuggling hub.” 22 The FBI recently arrested a Tennessee man who they alleged was planning sniper attacks on migrants and federal agents in Eagle Pass. 22

The “Take Our Border Back” trucker convoy that began in Virginia and ended near Eagle Pass also raised concerns of potential vigilante violence, though it ultimately ended peacefully. 22 Shelby Park, where the state took over without permission from the city of Eagle Pass, has emerged as a symbol of state antagonism toward the federal government and broader national frustration with the Biden administration’s handling of record encounters at the Southwest border. 22

Reactions from Advocacy Groups

Advocacy groups have strongly condemned the culture of impunity and excessive use of force by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, which has led to the deaths of numerous U.S. citizens and non-citizens. 17 They highlight that CBP is plagued with systemic problems of corruption, abuse, and a lack of accountability, with a majority of complaints resulting in no action taken. 17

The discovery of a secret Facebook group in 2019 full of racist, misogynist, and xenophobic posts by Border Patrol agents further exposed the agency’s culture of abuse [29]. 17 Allegations of Border Patrol agents committing violence against migrants, such as the recent case of an agent ‘inadvertently’ running over someone with their vehicle, are common [29]. 17

Advocacy groups argue that CBP’s lack of accountability and oversight, paired with its culture of violence, has resulted in the loss of lives and brutal treatment of individuals, with no on-duty agent successfully convicted of a killing in the agency’s nearly 100-year history [30]. 18

Political Responses

The Supreme Court’s ruling that constitutional prohibitions and protections do not extend across the border, denying the parents of Sergio Adrián the right to sue the Border Patrol agent who shot him, has dealt a blow to justice for families of those killed in border incidents, leading to concerns about impunity and potential for more violence and distrust [28]. 16

The environmental consequences of border enforcement also disproportionately affect people of color, with the Tohono O’odham Tribal Council allowing for vehicle barriers along the border but opposing an entire wall that would prevent wildlife migration, destroy culturally significant plants, and cause flooding. 19 On two separate dates in September 2020, Border Patrol agents responded to O’odham women protesting wall construction by yanking them apart, knocking them over, pointing stun guns, and arresting two of them. 19

Conclusion

The heroic actions of the USBP agent in thwarting the violent invasion by the illegal aliens at the Rio Grande border must be commended. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the grave risks faced by our brave Border Patrol agents as they tirelessly defend our nation’s sovereignty against those who seek to enter unlawfully, even resorting to aggression [31]. The agent’s justified use of force against the violent male illegal alien was a necessary measure to protect not only themselves but also the vulnerable migrants threatened at gunpoint.

This harrowing encounter underscores the importance of maintaining a secure border and upholding the rule of law [32]. We must stand firmly with our USBP heroes, supporting their actions to neutralize threats from violent illegal aliens who disregard our laws and endanger innocent lives. We must remain vigilant against the scourge of illegal immigration and the criminal elements that exploit our borders for the safety of our communities and the preservation of our nation’s sovereignty depend on it [25].