An armed militia group located near the U.S-Mexico border has detained hundreds of people in the past week, drawing the ire of the American Civil Liberties Union and state officials, CNN reports.
"My office has been informed that this week, an armed group has detained nearly 300 people near Sunland Park, New Mexico," Attorney General Hector Balderas wrote in a statement. "These individuals should not attempt to exercise authority reserved for law enforcement."
The group United Constitutional Patriots were captured on video handing over migrants they held to U.S. Border Patrol.
"We cannot allow racist and armed vigilantes to kidnap and detain people seeking asylum," the ACLU wrote in a letter to state officials. "We urge you to immediately investigate this atrocious and unlawful conduct."
"They have absolutely not been authorized by our office or any other. We are actively working with the AG's Office, state police and local police to determine what has gone on and what can and will be done," said a spokesperson for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. "That migrant families might be menaced or threatened in any way, shape or form is completely unacceptable."
A spokesperson for the militia told The New York Times that their actions were legal, and compared “the detention of the migrants to 'a verbal citizen's arrest.’”
"Interference by civilians in law enforcement matters could have public safety and legal consequences for all parties involved," said a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "Border Security operations are complex and require highly trained professionals with adequate resources to protect the country."
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