Special edition: International human rights tribunal condemns US killing of immigrant
The family of Anastasio Hernández Rojas has waited nearly 15 years for official recognition of what happened to their loved one at the San Diego-Tijuana border.
Dear reader,
I'm stepping into your inbox outside of our scheduled time together because of some breaking news on a case that I've been following for years.
Today, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, an entity within the Organization of American States, issued a decision in the case of the killing of Anastasio Hernández Rojas. The commission found that U.S. border officials tortured and killed him while deporting him at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in 2010.
I wrote about the decision, and the details of the case, for Capital & Main.
This is especially significant because it is the first time that the commission has made a decision in a case over a U.S. law enforcement killing. The commission calls for not just reparations for the family of Hernández Rojas but also major change in how the U.S. guides officers on use of force.
The commission also calls for reopening criminal investigations into the officials involved and punishment for officials who were involved in an attempted cover-up of what happened.
Among those accused of helping in the cover-up is Rodney Scott, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead Customs and Border Protection. I also have a piece in Capital & Main detailing his involvement in the case.
I will continue to follow the story as the situation develops, but I wanted you to have access to these two pieces before the next Beyond the Border is scheduled to arrive on the second Tuesday in May.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions, concerns or other feedback.
Take care and stay well,
Kate Morrissey