WASHINGTON (Fwrd Axis) — The White House said Thursday horses will no longer be used by Border Patrol officers in Del Rio, Texas following disturbing photos released this week.
Photographs showing agents on horseback charging at Haitian migrants seeking to cross into the U.S. were met with backlash by activist groups and several government officials, calling the images “horrible and horrific”.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday the decision was made by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Department of Homeland Security said the move is temporary while reviews are being made.
Psaki was pressed by the media at Thursday’s press briefing about President Joe Biden being made available for public comments regarding the Haitian migrants at the border. She said the President may “speak to it” at some point in the future.
U.S. special envoy for Haiti, Daniel Foote, resigned on Thursday. He cited his reasons due to the administration’s “inhumane” treatment of Haitian migrants.
“With deep disappointment and apologies to those seeking crucial changes, I resign from my position as Special Envoy for Haiti, effective immediately,” he said in his resignation letter.
Psaki said Thursday that Foote had “had ample opportunity to raise concerns about migration during his tenure, he never did so,” but that there had been “disagreements” within the administration.