February 25, 2020

Castro Statement on SCOTUS’ Ruling on Cross-Border Shooting

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and member of the House Intelligence and Education and Labor Committees, today released the following statement following the Supreme Court’s ruling that the parents of a 15-year-old boy cannot sue the federal agent who shot him by firing across the border separating the United States and Mexico:

“The United State Supreme Court today has legalized murder without cause in cases where a U.S. Border Patrol agent shoots a Mexican national standing on the Mexican side of the border. Fifteen-year-old Sergio Hernandez Guereca was murdered on the Mexico side of the border while playing with friends. There must be consequences, and the Guereca family deserves to seek justice through our judicial system. This despicable ruling articulates to the American people and the world that we do not value the human lives of our southern neighbors. We should protect everyone who falls victim to the use of excessive force at our nation’s border. U.S. Border Protection has the go-ahead to use excessive force — including lethal action — without any judicial oversight or fear of retribution. This sets the stage for rogue officers to shoot at men, women, and children and go unpunished. This ruling is an assault on basic civil and human rights. The majority on the United States Supreme Court has debased the Court and the reputation of the United States of America.”

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