Press Release

For Immediate Release, October 1, 2004
Contact: Lorraine Quiroga, 202-833-6130

Washington, D.C. - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is calling for a full investigation of the drowning deaths of three immigrants who were allegedly ordered to re-cross the Rio Grande river by border patrol officers.   

Last week CNN reported that three immigrant women were found dead on a stretch of river near Eagle Pass, Texas.  Three witnesses who survived the incident claimed that border patrol officers threw stones at them, forcing them back into the water.  The incident was confirmed by a surveillance video camera.  The Border Patrol has launched an investigation but no details are being publicly released at this time. 

“Yet another tragic event has occurred on our borders.  We cannot sit by and allow people to die through negligence or hostility toward immigrants,” said LULAC National President Hector Flores.  “We insist that the Justice Department conduct a full investigation into the deaths with complete public disclosure of what occurred.”

LULAC is also asking for comprehensive immigration reform that would help prevent incidents like this one from reoccurring.  “Immigration reform is long-overdue.  Lives are at stake and we can no not afford to wait for our leaders to finally pay attention to these matters,” added Flores. 

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States.  LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide. LULAC is non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates for elected office

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