Brutality Unchecked

Examining human rights abuses committed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and its agents during the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws in the four U.S. states that border Mexico, Human Rights Watch finds that beatings, rough physical treatment, and racially motivated verbal abuse are routine during arrests. Unjustified shootings, torture, and sexual abuse, also occur. When investigations are done they are perfunctory, and the offending agents escape punishment. Also documented are human rights violations that commonly take place during work place and neighborhood raids, violations that are prevalent in INS detention facilities, and violations in which the INS arrests children.