Since when is the disproportionate use of force an issue when it comes to defending our borders? They were attacking federal officers period. Whether they were throwing rocks or grenades, they had intentions of harm. Federal officers also tried using stun guns which also led to a death. What should we have our military do? Shoot sand bags at them? Why do we insist on tying the hands of our military behind their backs in war and in immigration enforcement? We don’t have the same issue with Canada/USA’s borders. A third of in inmates in our federal prisons aren’t violent Canadian felons. We don’t have a problem with illegal Canadian gang bangers (ms13 and zeta). Here’s the debate – build a 50ft wall (met with so much opposition by environmentalist special groups as well as La Raza and so on), increase military presence (obviously that is met with opposition too), build a positive social and economic relationship with Mexico (been there done that), create disincentives for illegal immigration (employer penalties, cut social programs to illegals), or just pass amnesty and address it later.

It will be important to know more facts about the situation. Many reports are still conflicting in regard to in which territory either party was located. If the boy was still on the Mexican side, why would a U.S. agent even be over there?…any altercation would have been dealt with by Mexican patrol. If the boy was on the U.S. side, that still doesn’t answer the level of force applied by the U.S. agents. I live in Texas and travel to the Rio Grande Valley on a monthly basis on business, it is nearly my second home…..this is relevant because I have seen the environment surrounding the border access points; legal and illegal access points. The two sides rarely mingle unless there is a pretty substantial threat to the public.
It just seems odd to me that a group of Border Patrol agents felt threatened enough by children armed with rocks and adrenaline, to justify the use of firearms.

Rocks can certainly be deadly. Have you every heard of execution by stoning? What would you do if surrounded by punks trying to stone you?

“He is a known juvenile smuggler,” a source told Fox News. He was also on a “most wanted” list of juvenile smugglers compiled by U.S. authorities in the El Paso area, sources said.

Jim: Any other source besides FOX.

Jim b:fox news probly said he was a an Al-Qaeda terrorist to.

its foolish that you guys see killing a 14 year old as justified. I am A mexican boy born in the united states and i feel threaten with the comments given. seeing that the border is more important than a human life and that you must protect it with murder at all cost… people crossing the border leave because they are trying to find the fake american dream that is created by your propaganda. my parents crossed over illegal lucky they got there documents but would you be okay if an ice officer were to kill them and call it self defense leaving there children behind i understand that you believe the border is important but is about time to break out of your shell and see the discrimination as your acting just like the nazis. my people have been killed and theorized because of the racial profiling. you do not see a similarity your acting like the people your grand pa’s and your great grant pa’s fought to stop because of the violation of human right LIFE liberty and the pursuit of happiness

To assume that the kid who was killed is innocent…… then it is certainly a tragedy and I do apologize to his family, But let us not ignore the cases that are not in the media and are as unclear as so many. All I am trying to say is detour from situations that might cause a less than fortunate outcome at all cost, unless you are willing to take the risk. It is up to the parent and relatives of whom ever to steer a child or young adult in the right direction, not lead them into the path of fire and destruction. If you are a young blood and your cousin or brother disrespects authority what kind of message are you sending to your youth. If you are trying to create a better life for yourself, than do it right, and go through the proper channels. Get a work Visa, plea you case and get the proper paperwork, what ever it takes! but don’t get involved with a group of folks who throw rocks as a way to show how they want better there life. The united states is a very giving and diverse place, there is no reason to cause feud to get where you want to go. The universe will listen if you truly have the best intentions. I know its its bad in Mexico so leave, but do it right.

Jorge Sanchez,

The event that led to this tragedy–the discharging of a border patrol officer’s’ gun and subsequent death of the 14 year old boy that it caused–is what matters. The parent’s, family, etc. are not relevant to answer whether the shooting was justified. And La Macha is correct; even if he was a “known-drug smuggler”, the inquiry does not stop there.

Furthermore, there is no reliable evidence to ascertain what the victim’s background was.

“The universe will listen if you truly have the best intentions”. No, in the United States a person is “listened” to if they grab the microphone through the power of wealth(in most cases). And people with bad intentions are listened to as well(see Arizona)

so fucking around while being a brown kid will get you killed? Any sort of resistance or revolt on the US which includes demonstrates and throwing of things to cops and/or border patrol will be met w/ shots fired (history tells us yes, so I guess its all right). i’m on the border and my kids school is literally on the other side of the highway of mexico/port of entry and I just don’t know what to think.
Jorge Sanchez-so it’s bad and you say to leave the right way. what if there is no right way relief for you and you are being hunted down, hiding in your house, closing the door at 3pm, city hall has been taken over-so you just wait-huh.

Brian J

You can only hear those who speak if you listen to there bullshit. I do not get wrapped up in politics and care not for those who have money and who speak. Let me ask you this, would you let your children play around a heavily armed border???? NO, I don’t think you would. Why would you play around an area that is patrolled by armed Officers? Something just does not add up? So yes the parents family etc are relevant. Where the hell were they to tell them thats not a good idea. If you know that a pond has alligators in it and you swim across that pond knowing the extent of the danger and you got bit, who is to blame? nobody is to blame, it was a choice. you where in the gators territory and took a chance with fate playing a little fucking game to try and swim across. I’m not saying the shooting is justified at all, but there is a bit of responsibility to be taken on here. You would never catch me playing around in an area with armed officers just to have a good time……

Noemi

My US perfect world is far from perfect, but I have made some good choices that have saved my life and I am now very thankful for what I do have.

Ernest, if the responses to stories like these, as evidenced in this thread are any indication, people will be too busy defending what happens in their backyard to ever consider they should maybe change it…

Jake, so basically you are saying the kid deserved it. Nice. Your other comment was deleted for it’s racism. Have a great day.

The murder of the Mexican boy, Sergio Hernandez, was and is one of many horrific acts made by the United States imagration officers and i am realy shocked that it got any recognition in the media, considering all the savage beatings against the Mexican people that the US immigration takes part in but goes unreported in the news, here in the US and in Mexico. No one seems to care because to care means to spend money on both sides. I for one am happy that it got rcognition and that the US finaly gets a reality check on how the US immigration realy works when they are not in the eye sight of Americans. I am so glad and cant wait to see the day when that man and the ones that were with him pay for the murder of this 14 year old boy. ther are people out here and in Mexico that are ready for the chance to make this even because everyone knows that their will be no justice for the boy!!! It is almost a shame that the actions that the murderer made has put him and his whole family in danger…. these people will not have mercy for him or his family…. an eye for an eye…. he distroyed a life and the life of his family….and now he nor his family will ever be safe as long as they live, no matter where they hide…money makes the world go round and these people have all the money they need to make this happen…….that is just the way it is. too many years of being held down by corporate america is the reason we are where we are today. The people are tired and many feel that the time for revolution is now because we have had no control of our country for about 25 years. time to take our country back from the rich people who have been fucking us over for years. if throwing rocks constitutes shooting a humanbeing in the head than what should we do about the politicians who have caused thousands of deaths. maybe we should line them up and just pop them.