Border Patrol under scrutiny over stop in Coachella
Border Patrol is under scrutiny after detaining a local doctor on a highway in Coachella for an alleged traffic violation. The incident was captured on cell phone video and has now gone viral.
In the video, you can see border patrol agent Joel Lopez asking for Javier Hernandez’s identification. The border patrol agent says Hernandez was driving at 100 mph.
“He started yelling and insulting me saying that I was endangering the public so I asked what I did wrong? He said that I was speeding. How does he know I was driving 100 mph? He doesn’t have a speed gun. Border Patrol doesn’t have the authority to detain vehicles for a traffic violation,” Hernandez said.
The video shows Lopez asking Hernandez whether he is a Mexican and when Hernandez says that he is, Lopez asks that Hernandez show some identification. Hernandez responds “Why do I have to show you that.” To which Lopez responds by saying, “Because you’re Mexican.”
On various occasions, Lopez questioned Hernandez’s citizen status. In which case, Hernandez repeatedly tells the agent that he indeed is and shows him his physician/surgeon badge. Lopez, however, did not believe that was enough proof.
“The border patrol uses this excuse to pull people over. I felt like this made him feel like he could control me like he didn’t care who I was. He was the authority and he is above all of us,” Hernandez said.
After a heated discussion, the California Highway Patrol arrived and informed Hernandez he was free to go.
Hernandez said that at one point, he felt threatened.
“There was a moment where I was scared. If you watch the video he tells me ‘Your cell phone won’t save you,’ So I told him ‘We’ll see in court,'” Hernandez said.
The 16-minute video which was originally posted Youtube also shows the angered Hernandez get out of his car to confront the border patrol agent who was about to leave. Hernandez admitted he reacted “a bit strong” but felt he was exercising his 1st Amendment right.
Hernandez said he is not taking any legal action towards the agency. Meanwhile, Border Patrol is investigating the case.
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