Behind the Bastards CZM Rewind: The U.S. Border Patrol Is A Nightmare That Never Ends
8 snips
Jun 17, 2025 
Caitlin Durante, a comedian and co-host of The Bechdel Cast, joins the discussion to dissect the U.S. Border Patrol's troubling history. They explore the racial biases of the 1924 Immigration Act and its cruel impact on various immigrant communities. Caitlin and the host humorously juxtapose personal travel tales with serious critiques, highlighting the agency's violent legacy. They dive into migrant experiences and the brutal enforcement tactics used, revealing a dark narrative that intertwines human rights and systemic racism.
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Borders Born From Imperialism
- U.S. borders, especially with Mexico, were created by imperial conquest and seizure of indigenous and Mexican lands.
- Many original inhabitants suddenly found themselves separated by international borders they did not consent to.
Border Patrol Enforced Whiteness
- White working-class Border Patrol recruits used policing Mexicans as a way to assert whiteness and power.
- Border Patrol roles expanded racial boundaries between whites and nonwhites, enforcing systemic racism.
KKK Influence on Border Patrol
- Many early Border Patrol agents belonged to the Ku Klux Klan, influencing the agency's violent culture.
- Klan members held significant power in border regions including the National Guard and Border Patrol.
