Record of the Press · 2012–Present
Released to the public · 31 OCT 2026File TBL-0050
DEBUNKED

Border Patrol agents "whipping" Haitian migrants in Del Rio

20 SEP 2021 · Axios, The New York Times, HuffPost, MSNBC, NPR (later commentary)
Screenshot of the page as published at axios.com (via Wayback Machine)
EXHIBIT A — Page capture from axios.com (via Wayback Machine). Click to open the source.

■ The claim

Photos and video of mounted Border Patrol agents confronting Haitian migrants near Del Rio, Texas, were widely described as agents whipping or using whips on migrants.

■ What actually happened

The photographer who took the best-known images said he never saw anyone whipped and that the agent appeared to be swinging the horse's reins. Axios revised its piece and The New York Times corrected an article, saying it had overstated what was known and had seen no conclusive evidence anyone was struck. In July 2022 a CBP Office of Professional Responsibility investigation found no evidence that any agent struck a migrant with reins, though it did find unnecessary use of force, unprofessional conduct and offensive language, and four agents faced discipline.

■ The proof

CBP Office of Professional Responsibility findings released July 8, 2022, which found no evidence anyone was struck, plus the New York Times correction of late September 2021.

■ Original reporting

■ Corrections, findings & records

■ Wayback Machine copies

Stories sometimes get edited after publication. These links open the Internet Archive's earliest snapshot of each original.

■ Grade

DEBUNKED: Shown false by evidence or official findings, whether or not the outlet corrected it. How we grade →