WASHINGTON – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) issued the following statement following Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Chris Magnus’ announcement that Border Patrol would disband its critical incident teams. The teams had been the focus of significant scrutiny in recent months because of its abuse of power and attempted cover ups during internal investigations.

“The decision to disband the Border Patrol’s critical incident teams by Commissioner Magnus is welcomed news. It’s time to bring these shadow units into the light. These critical incident teams have skirted the rules and deployed strong arm tactics without consequence or accountability. We must continue to hold agents fully accountable for their actions, seek justice for the impacted victims and their families, and investigate further the damage these rogue teams have caused.”

In December 2021, Rep. Grijalva joined a virtual press conference hosted by the Southern Border Communities Coalition in support of Marisol García Alcántara and her civil suit against the federal government. Alcántara was shot in the head by a Border Patrol agent and still suffers from side effects because of the nearly fatal injury.

Rep. Grijalva has called for the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General to initiate comprehensive investigations into two incidents involving U.S. Border Patrol and requested CBP notify Congress of all deaths that take place in their custody.  

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