This is the true story of my brother in law Roberto Flores Durazo.
As he lay there on the floor of the US border crossing in Nogales AZ he wondered how he ended up there. How could this be happening in the country
that he had grown to love so much. As blow after blow, kick after kick rained down on him for 5 long hours, he could not imagine that this was
happening in the country that had given him so much. The country that had been so generous and helped him when he needed it so bad. Was this the
same country? Were these the same people? How could this be?
Roberto's life started up like many Mexicans boys who grew up in the small border town of Sonoyta MX in the early 1990's. His father was a hard
working man who worked long hours in the nearby mine, so he could put enough food on the table and provide a place to live. Nothing fancy, but their
was always enough. With the help of friends and family they managed to get by. That was all to change though. One day when Roberto was 13 he and his
mother headed out on a shopping trip to Mexicali, the closest big city. Their neighbor had to go to Mexicali on some business and they could ride
along with him. They were in search of some rollerblades for his sisters 10th birthday, and none could be found in their small town. They managed to
find a set that they could afford, along with a few candies that Roberto would share with his sister on her birthday. Before they headed back to
Sonoyta the neighbor had stopped at a Llantera to have a tire changed that was going bad. Nothing unusual, the roads in this part of Mexico are rough
and tires wear out fast. With that done they started their 100 mile trip back home excited knowing how happy his sister was going to be on her
birthday. 10 miles outside of Sonoyta on a dark and lonely stretch of road the unthinkable happened. The tire they just had changed blew out and the
little car they were riding in went off the road and rolled over several times. Roberto's mom Ivelia escaped with minor cuts and bruises. The driver
had several badly broken ribs, but was conscious. Roberto was not so lucky. The car had come to rest on top of him and at first they could not even
find him, and when they did they feared he was dead. With the help of another passing motorist they managed to get the car rolled off of Roberto, but
it did not look good. Roberto was hardly breathing, and he was bleeding very badly. The left side of his face was almost completely torn off and his
left eye was hanging from the socket. Roberto needed help badly, they loaded him into the car that had stopped to help and raced him into Sonoyta.
At the Red Cross hospital they knew Roberto needed far more help than they could give. One of the technicians there was from Phoenix and made what
was to be the first of many decisions that would end up saving Roberto's life. He called one of his friends that worked for the Mercy air ambulance
service there and told him of the situation, and within minutes they were in route to the border to pick up Roberto. 20 minutes later the helocopter
landed just on the US side of the border and the Red Cross ambulance rushed out to meet them with Roberto. The family would find out later that
Roberto's heart stopped twice on the flight to Children's Hospital in Phoenix. The two adrenalin injections they had given him brought him back.
Roberto's family quickly made the arrangements to go to Phoenix. When they got there they were amazed and delighted that Roberto was alive, but he
was not out of the woods yet. He was in the first of many surgeries to repair his badly mangled body. Roberto ended up spending over a month in
Children's Hospital, and his bill was getting so large that his family wondered if they could ever pay it. They didn't have to worry long, someone
had contacted the people at Ronald McDonald house and told them of Roberto's situation. They came in a covered ALL of his hospital bills and gave him
and his family a place to stay for the months of rehab that would follow. Roberto's family cannot thank them enough, and Roberto will never forget
the generosity of Ronald McDonald house and the people of the United States.
Roberto is 27 now, besides the obvious scares on his face and some decrease in vision in his left eye he has made a remarkable recovery. He has a US
tourist Visa but does not travel to the USA much, but when his wife got pregnant she wanted to have the baby in Tucson so she could be near here
family just before and after his daughter was born. Roberto followed in his dads footsteps and went to collage to studied Mines, and he and his dad
now work together at a Mine in Sonora. His dad is now the Manager of the Mine, and Roberto enjoys his job as an engineer. Having his baby in the US
would mean he would have to travel back and forth a lot for the few months that his wife was in Tucson, but he didn't mind because it is what she
wanted.
So there he was on that October day in 2007. A proud new dad, with a bright future, going to pick up his wife and newborn daughter. He thought
nothing of it when he was waved into the Secondary inspection area of the Port of Entry, but what happened next caused him to question everything he
had come to believe The United States of America stood for. He was taken into a small room where he would spend the next 5 hours in fear for his life
wondering if he would ever get to see his family again. Wondering if the life he had given back through the generosity of the good people of the US
would be taken away by a few bad people in uniform from the US border patrol. Wondering what the doctors who had spend countless hours in surgery
meticulisly repairing and reconstruction his face would think of this guy from the US border patrol stomping on their work. Roberto was allowed to
leave the Port of Entry after those 5 long hours, and he was never charged with any crime. They did tell him that he could not reapply for another
Visa for 5 years, but he didn't care, he was just happy to be alive. His family would join him a few days later, and he is back to work after a few
days rest from all his bumps and bruises at the hand of the border guards. We I talked to him last, and told him I was going to write his story,
because it is a story that needs to be told. It is a story that people need to hear. It is a story that those merciless border guards need to know.
He just wanted to be sure I included one thing. "Please tell the good people of the United States that I still love them".amir - 10-22-2007 at 06:23 AM
What an AMAZING story!
We hope more details are forthcoming in later posts...
Sickening!
Cardon Man - 10-22-2007 at 07:44 AM
Abuse of power by US authorities...police, border patrol, or other...is absolutley sickening. The current socio-political climate in the USA seems to
green light this type of behavior. "Well, he might have been a terrorist"...or "he was acting suspiciously" are all most citizens need to hear to
justify a vicious beating by rogue authorities. My heart goes out to your brother in law.Barry A. - 10-22-2007 at 07:48 AM
------and when do we get "the rest of the story"? Soon I hope.
With all due respect, A story like this cannot stand alone-------------it makes no sense.
The rest of the story?...
Cardon Man - 10-22-2007 at 07:58 AM
Clearly some parts of the story have not been included...but I must ask...what if anything could he have done to deserve a 5 hour detention and a
beating, only to be released. There's simply no call for it.Barry A. - 10-22-2007 at 08:03 AM
The "paragraph breaks" helps, but the details that are still missing are glaring.
If Roberto resisted arrest, or detention and questioning, with VIOLENCE, this could explain what happened.
As I (and Amir) asked before, "what are the additional details" of this border crossing trajedy?? There simply HAVE to be extending circumstances.
In this country, LE officers may use whatever "means" it takes to control violence, and no more. Thus violence can be used to control violence. It
is very foolish for anybody to physically oppose LE officers, for obvious reasons.
[Edited on 10-22-2007 by Barry A.]vandenberg - 10-22-2007 at 08:06 AM
Ever heard of two sides to every story.
Sure like to hear the border patrols side. I'm not much on giving authority people their due, but this story seems, to me, slightly exagerated.
One of Osprey's tricks
amir - 10-22-2007 at 08:30 AM
This story might just be bait for discussion.
Other posters have used fiction before to raise awareness of issues and stimulate responses.
True or not, I'm anticipating chills following this thread... Crusoe - 10-22-2007 at 08:35 AM
There is a new major Hollywood movie that has just come out........"Rendition"....Stars Alan Arkin-Meryl Streep. It paints a very clear picture of how
the present adminisration is abusing its power. A must see for all you doubting Tohmas's. Sad.......Minnow - 10-22-2007 at 09:25 AM
this is a very true story, I will fill in any details as I can. I wrote this very late last night after I heard the details and what so angered by
was had happened to my brother in law. Sickening is a good word. Roberto hasn't got a mean bone in his body he hardly ever speaks since the
accident, unless he has something he really needs to say. The idea that he resisted in some way is preposterous, the accident left him unable to do
so. I want the people/ agents who could do this to such a kind gentle person punished nothing more nothing less. I have a picture taken with him last
Christmas I will try to find it and try to post it.
I would appreciate any help you folks want to offer to make my story clearer, as I intent to send this out to every person/agency that may be able to
do something about this. Feel free to U2U me.
[Edited on 22-10-2007 by Minnow]Barry A. - 10-22-2007 at 09:56 AM
Minnow------
If there was no resistance by Roberto, as you say, then you have a very valid case here and should persue it to the end---------I cannot think of ANY
reason why the BP agents should/would have acted the way you lay out, under those circumstances---------and you have a Federal Civil Rights violation
case at the least-----------certainly a serious criminal case against these agents.
Keep us informed---------You, Roberto, and your family have my sincerest condolences.
BarryMinnow - 10-22-2007 at 10:14 AM
Grover, not going to get into too many minute details, but what I was trying to explain was that Roberto was growing up in Sonoyta in the early 1990's
when he was in the car accident. Once again I appreciate any help anyone wants to give to clarify the story.
Thank you Barry. This is how I understand what happened. Roberto was taken to an interrogation room in the Secondary section of the Port of Entry.
At some point the officers started to use violence against him to get him to admit to things that were not true. Roberto didn't budge and the beating
intensified to the point were they probably figured hey, maybe the guy is telling the truth. We better take his tourist visa though, so he can't get
back into the States and report us.
[Edited on 22-10-2007 by Minnow]Minnow - 10-22-2007 at 10:35 AM
Roberto, My sister in law, and Robertos wife.
Barry A. - 10-22-2007 at 10:37 AM
Minnow----
Now I am confused-------did this beating occur lately, or back in the "90's"? If lately, I would contact the US Attorney's office and/or the FBI and
file a formal complaint (which is just the beginning of the process)--------if it occurred back in the "90's" I feel you (and Roberto) are probably
out of luck.
In my 30 some-odd years as a Federal LE officer I personally NEVER ran into a Civil Rights violation committed in my presense------but that certainly
is not to say they did not happen. I did, a few times, in the heat of battle, see excessive spontaneus force used, but never to the extent (5 hours?)
you relate here, and it was ALWAYS in response to "resistance".
Actions like you describe are horrific, and should be persued by all supervisors involved, as well as the Dept. of Justice.
BarryTaco de Baja - 10-22-2007 at 10:44 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Minnow----
Now I am confused-------did this beating occur lately, or back in the "90's"? If lately, I would contact the US Attorney's office and/or the FBI and
file a formal complaint (which is just the beginning of the process).....
So there he was on that October day in 2007. A proud new dad, with a bright future, going to pick up his wife and newborn daughter......Minnow - 10-22-2007 at 10:55 AM
Thanks Taco.
Barry I went and edited the post that confused you. Thanks for pointing it out.bajajudy - 10-22-2007 at 11:29 AM
Why are so many people in the USA angry at the Mexicans(well, any Spanish speakers)?
I truly do not understand this attitude. Barry A. - 10-22-2007 at 11:30 AM
Judy----
I don't know personally anybody who IS------
----but we are very mad at out Govt. for not enforcing our laws.osoflojo - 10-22-2007 at 11:35 AM
I agree the the U S Attorney or OIG DHS be contacted with this information. If Roberto cant get back to the US a family member could initiate the
process in the US or Roberto could go the the U S Consul in Hermisillo. I would not let this "go away".Minnow - 10-22-2007 at 11:36 AM
The people that beat him spoke Spanish. Roberto does not talk much since the car accident. Maybe they mistook his lack of words for arrogence?
Whatever the case, one only needs to spend a few minutes with Roberto to realize what a kind gentle person he is.
Thanks sleepy bear. I am the family member in the states, and I am going to let everyone know what happened.
Please point out any details in my story that need to be corrected/clarified highlighted.
The paragraph breaks were removed when I transferred the story from my word processor.
[Edited on 22-10-2007 by Minnow]David K - 10-22-2007 at 11:37 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
Why are so many people in the USA angry at the Mexicans(well, any Spanish speakers)?
I truly do not understand this attitude.
Many are angry? Maybe only at those who don't respect our laws and borders and get away with it... ?
How do Mexicans deal with Americans breaking the law in their country?
Not sure what your question is doing in this thread on Tom's bro-in-law...?Minnow - 10-22-2007 at 11:42 AM
David, I appreciate everyones input at this point. I want to get my letter as clear as possible and send it to as many people as possible. I already
have received many helpful leads. I am in the process of trying to find the correct people to send this to in groups like the ACLU, and Latino Rights
Advocates.David K - 10-22-2007 at 11:46 AM
Sure Tom, great... Is there any more you can share about what he was heald for and questioned about? There are attorneys who will jump at the
opportunety just for fame if not to tarnish the government like in Crusoe's movie theme.Paulina - 10-22-2007 at 11:50 AM
I'm thinking is that if Minnow is going to persue legal action it might be best if he stopped talking publicly about it for now.
P<*)))><Minnow - 10-22-2007 at 12:04 PM
Roberto knows that these were just a few bad apples that did this to him. It is not a blanket indictment of the US government, the Border Patrol, or
US law enforcement in general.
I guess I should explain the process that someone on a tourist Visa needs to go through to come into the US. If they are going to be traveling
farther than 50 miles from the border, or going to be in the US for longer than 3 days, they need to go into secondary to get a Paper Visa that goes
along with their laser Visa. This is normally routine. If the Border Patrol suspects you may be abusing your tourist visa they may detain you to
investigate. Interviewing you is part of the investigation. My wife fell into the same category three years ago when she had her tourist visa
confiscated because she was married with and US citizen. We had no idea that it was illegal to be married to a US citizen and have a tourist visa.
At that time she underwent very harsh treatment including be verbally abused, held for hours with out water, and having to witness her mother, who was
traveling with her, being knocked to the ground and malled by a German Shepard. What did her mom do to get that treatment? She attempted to retrieve
her high blood pressure medicine from the car. When we eventually got an interview at the US consulate in Juarez, for my wifes permanent visa, we
found out that the border patrol had wrote on their report that she was attempting to smuggle illegals in a car that was "probably" stolen. It was my
car, and all the people had their tourist visas. All, except my wife, got their tourist visas back that time. That was in Mexicali so I don't think
it had anything to do with what happened with Roberto. I let it go that time and always regreted it. This time I cannot.amir - 10-22-2007 at 12:06 PM
Any information that can be gathered and documented contemporaneously will help in any future investigation. Let the proper authorities follow the
leads.DENNIS - 10-22-2007 at 03:15 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Minnow
Roberto knows that these were just a few bad apples that did this to him.
Is that right? What makes him think that?Minnow - 10-22-2007 at 03:27 PM
Maybe he is wrong, but somehow I don't think so. If this sort of treatment is official policy, then this story is even more important.DENNIS - 10-22-2007 at 04:45 PM
The first thing I try to ascertain when driving up to the inspector is his/her hostility level. I think things are worse than we will ever know.DENNIS - 10-22-2007 at 04:52 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Minnow
If this sort of treatment is official policy
Went right by this one....
Of course it wouldn't be "Official Policy." But, it is my concern that the behavior has tacit acceptance. Abu Graib [sp?] revisited.Minnow - 10-22-2007 at 05:02 PM
Dennis, I appreciate your insight, but I don't want to turn this into one of those discussions.
I have been in contact with "people today", and will talk with Roberto tonight.DENNIS - 10-22-2007 at 05:09 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Minnow
Dennis, I appreciate your insight, but I don't want to turn this into one of those discussions.
What do you mean? I thought this is what your story was all about.
OK...I see your point. It's hard for me to bypass a good chance to stir the pot. Sorry.
Keep us posted, Tom. This concerns everybody.
[Edited on 10-23-2007 by DENNIS]Sharksbaja - 10-22-2007 at 08:54 PM
Contact
Office of Investigations
The Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC) Offices are responsible for the administration and management of all enforcement activities within the geographic
boundaries of the Office. The SACs develop, coordinate and implement enforcement strategies to ensure conformance with national policies and
procedures and to support national intelligence programs. In addition, SACs supervise all administrative responsibilities assigned to the Office and
ensure a responsive Internal Controls Program is developed.
Each SAC office is responsible for subordinate field offices, which support the enforcement mission. These subordinate field offices, Resident
Agent-in-Charge (RAC) and Resident Agent Offices (RAOs), are responsible for managing enforcement activities within the geographic boundaries of the
Office. RACs are responsible for ensuring all enforcement activities are conducted pursuant to national policies and procedures and contribute to the
development and implementation of national and SAC level enforcement strategy.
Office of Investigations
SAC San Diego
185 West F Street, Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92101
Main (619) 744-4600
Fax (619) 557-7275Bajafun777 - 10-22-2007 at 09:47 PM
Minnow, I do not know what happened that day with your brother-in-law and most areas are video taped at the ports which may help in an investigation.
I think maybe some areas of this story have grown such as five hours of beatings in a port of entry???? No saying that an agent did not get out of
line but too many good officers at the Port would not allow this to such a level discribed. The Mexican Consul should be contacted by your
brother-in-law, as they take these complaints directly to the alleged offenders working assignment and meet with top officials there. Use them and
believe me the Border Patrol SAC will definately investigate and handle any type of illegal actions if they were committed. I have learned not to
jump into one side of a story even with the mild manner people or relatives that I know, as some of them not only surprised me with their
inappropriate or even illegal actions that brought trouble to them but showed me a side to them I was not aware of. Some times bad things happen to
good people, the world is not fair, just is what it is. Sometimes good people get involved in bad or illegal behavior that gets them into trouble not
a good thing but again it is what it is. Hope an investigation occurs and since he gave you a day and date this should be easy to investigate.
With all the daily shift entries on all logs completed by that shift of officers, on that alleged offense date it allows for time tracking which can
help to do a time in motion study to see what is there. Hope things get clarified for you. Later---------------------------- bajafun777osoflojo - 10-23-2007 at 06:13 AM
Nothing for nothing but I would bypass the SAC and go directally to OIG (Office of the Inspector General) for DHS or the U S Attorneys Office in
Tucson. Neither one of these will "forget" about it.Minnow - 10-23-2007 at 09:51 AM
Bajafun. It was more like 5 hours of isolation. No food, no drink, no outside contact, with a few beatings and verbal abuse thrown in. Things are
being handled now and we will see what happens. Thanks everyone for your support and suggestions.
