Posada (signifying Inn) is a Christmas tradition in much of the Latin world. Joseph and Mary search for shelter. Mary is about to give birth to Jesus. Shelter is refused several times and finally one house opens its door to the couple. In the Bi-National Migrant Posada Joseph and Mary represent migrants in search of asylum. The …
“Kids on the fence.” That was the radio message heard at Nogales’ DeConcini port of entry that sent Border Patrol agent Lonnie Ray Swartz and several of his colleagues running west into the street along the border fence on October 10,2012. Swartz was the only agent to purposefully step up to the international barrier that …
Read moreAnother Trial for Border Patrol Shooter? (Commentary)
October 26, 2018 Sitting in the courtroom on the afternoon of the first day of proceedings in border agent Lonnie Swartz’ second trial left the distinct impression on most in the courtroom that we had been here before. Swartz was acquitted of the most serious charge of 2nd degree murder in his first trial. This …
Read moreRe-trial Begins for Border Patrol Agent Charged in Cross-border Killing of Teen
A federal court convened again over the cross-border shooting death of Jose Antonio Rodriguez by Border Agent Lonnie Ray Swartz. The hearing was held in Tucson on Monday morning, August 13, 2018. Both sides presented motions to be ruled on by Judge Raner Collins. Defense wants the two charges of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter dismissed–which …
Read moreMotion Hearing in Nogales Border Shooter Retrial: Fairness Questioned
By Norah Booth The shooting death of 16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez on October 10, 2012, was the U.S. Border Patrol’s sixth cross-border killing of an unarmed Mexican citizen. The Mexican government requested, routinely, that the accused be extradited to Mexico for trial. Routinely, the U.S. government denied this request. Would this be the first …
Read moreCommentary: Verdict in Nogales Border Patrol Shooting