ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : The Most Objective Judge?

The U.S. Border Patrol’s internal investigation of allegations of agency abuses in an Orange immigration raid does little to relieve public concern.

After talking to 19 of its officers, the Border Patrol cleared itself of improprieties in the Sept. 18 daybreak raid that netted more than 200 alleged illegal immigrants. But a probe can hardly be considered definitive when investigators fail to take statements from complaining witnesses, who in this case say the agency used “storm-trooper” tactics at an apartment building. Further scrutiny--whether by the Orange County district attorney’s office, the U.S. Justice Department or some other appropriate agency--is in order.

The raid was conducted by the Border Patrol with the support of the Orange Police Department, but the two agencies offered conflicting statements about which was assisting which. Also on hand were city building code inspectors. Mayor Gene Beyer says that was a coincidence, but residents said the inspectors paved the way for federal officers, who acknowledged that they had no search warrants.

Residents of the apartment building contend that federal agents threatened residents with handguns, kicked in a window, kicked in doors and unlawfully entered apartments. The Border Patrol denied each of the allegations and concluded that its agents “acted in good faith, and their conduct was within the bounds of law.”

The Border Patrol has a strong interest in backing up its officers. That’s why a neutral party should assess the situation and evaluate the agency’s conduct, as well as that of the police and building inspectors.

The Border Patrol’s one-sided report should be made complete. More information is needed in order to determine exactly what happened during the disturbing raid.