Seventy current and former employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are being investigated for their participation in a secret Facebook group for Border Patrol officials that came to light in reports earlier this month.
The Facebook group, called “I’m 10-15,” was created in 2016 and had roughly 9,500 members. Content of many of the posts were reportedly obscene, mocked migrant deaths, threatened violence. One post reportedly depicted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) having oral sex with a detained migrant.
While CBP claimed it was “made aware” of the group on July 1, it was reported a few days later that concerned Border Patrol agents had reported the group to superiors in 2016. More recently, it came out that Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost, who called the group “completely inappropriate and contrary to the honor and integrity I see–and expect–from our agents,” was herself in the group as recently as November of 2018.
According to NBC News, CPB officials announced Tuesday that 62 current CBP employees and eight former employees are being investigated for their participation in the Facebook group. Investigations for two of the employees have already concluded, and the results have been given to CBP to determine disciplinary action. There is no official word on what disciplinary action will actually look like for any employees found to have violated the code of conduct with their participation in the Facebook group.
Certain posts in the group reportedly included threats of violence against Latino members of Congress, particularly Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas). One member of the group responded to a post about the congresswomen visiting a Border Patrol facility with “fuck the hoes.” Another Photoshopped image shared by a member celebrating their return to the group showed Trump forcing Ocasio-Cortez’ head into his crotch. At the time that the group was reported, Ocasio-Cortez noted on Twitter that the membership of the Facebook group was about half the number of currently employed Border Patrol Agents.
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H/T NBC News