Department of Homeland Security officers have shot at people 16 times since July during immigration enforcement, with the Trump administration declaring all shootings justified before investigations concluded, while charges against those fired upon have been dropped in 40% of cases where evidence contradicted official accounts.
Department of Homeland Security officers have fired shots 16 times since July during immigration enforcement operations, striking at least 10 people including four U.S. citizens and killing three. The Trump administration declared all shootings justified before investigations concluded, while prosecutors dropped or judges dismissed charges in four of 10 cases after evidence contradicted official narratives, according to lawyers and court records.
Federal investigators changed accounts in multiple incidents after video evidence emerged. In Chicago, body-camera footage showed Border Patrol agent Charles Exum rammed Marimar Martinez’s vehicle before shooting her five times, contradicting claims she “aggressively” pursued him. “Here, they are charging people first and asking questions later,” said Christopher Parente, a former federal prosecutor representing Martinez. “There’s such pressure from the administration to charge right away and make headlines so they can put out false press releases.”