Joe Biden vows horseback agents ‘will pay’ for treatment of Haitian migrants

The US president promised an investigation and ‘consequences’ after images of mounted agents waving their reins and charging migrants drew widespread outrage

The encampment Del Rio, Texas, that was packed with thousands of migrants had been emptied by Friday

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US Border Patrol agent on horseback tries to stop a Haitian migrant from entering an encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande in Del Rio, Texas, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:40am, 25 Sep 2021Updated: 4:25am, 25 Sep 2021

US President Joe Biden on Friday vowed to take action against border patrol agents on horseback whose actions in Del Rio, Texas, drew widespread outrage.

“It’s outrageous. I promise you those people will pay. They will be investigated. There will be consequences,” Biden said in response to a reporter’s question at the White House.

The remarks, which came after Biden talked about the roll-out of booster shoots for those most at risk for the coronavirus, were his first extended comments about the issue since the images emerged.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is already conducting an investigation that he has said will be completed by next week.

Migrants crossing the Rio Grande to seek refuge in the US hold up a girl to be helped by Border Patrol agents on an inflatable boat on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

The administration has also temporarily suspended horse patrols in Del Rio.

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