September 2021 Haitian Migrant Photo Controversy

In September 2021, an incident occurred involving migrants from Haiti crossing into the United States at the Del Rio, Texas, sector of the Mexico–US border. Critics claimed the migrants were being whipped by horse-mounted US Border Patrol agents. In July 2022, the US Customs and Border Protection concluded after an investigation that no migrants in fact had been whipped.

Background

After multiple earthquakes and hurricanes ravaged their homeland, many Haitians sought and received refugee status in several South American nations. When the Biden Administration relaxed border crossings along the Mexico–US border, upwards of 42,000 Haitians traveled by caravan from Colombia, through Darien Gap into Panama, then northward through Central America, and Mexico to the US border.

At the time, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas publicly advised the Haitians, "Do not come," adding "The border is not open." In a leaked audio conversation, Mayorkas stated that the immigration crisis had become "unsustainable". As large numbers of Haitian migrants began crossing the border, the Biden Administration threatened to swiftly deport thousands, despite vocal objections from members of the Democratic Party. Eventually, over 15,000 Haitians were living in a migrant camp under the Del Río–Ciudad Acuña International Bridge near Del Rio.

Event

Paul Ratje, a photographer based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, captured images of a horseback-mounted Border Patrol agent trying to control the crowd. The photos created a sensation with many claiming the agent was using a whip on the Haitian migrants. Ratje said "I've never seen them whip anyone." He claimed the agent was merely twirling the horse's rein. Referring to the rein, Ratje said, "He was swinging it. But I didn't see him actually take—whip someone with it."

Responses

Reaction was immediate. MSNBC commentator Joy Reid Tweeted, "This is beyond repulsive. Are these images from 2021 or 1851??" The BBC
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