Border Agents Found Responsible for the Death of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas
“In May 2010, longtime San Diego resident Anastasio Hernández Rojas was brutally beaten by over a dozen border agents as they were trying to deport him. By the time he arrived at the hospital, the 42-year-old father of five was brain dead. He died three days later. AFSC has supported his family's quest for justice and accountability, advocating alongside them in their yearslong struggle. In 2022, Anastasio's widow and attorneys brought their case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. They argued that the United States' ‘use of force’ laws violated international human rights standards.”
In a historic decision, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has found the U.S. government responsible for the torture and killing of Anastasio Hernández Rojas, confirming that Border agents violated his rights to life, justice, and humane treatment.
The Commission called on the U.S. to reopen the Department of Justice investigation, compensate Anastasio’s family, and take steps to prevent future abuses.
For years, Anastasio’s family has fought for justice. Their advocacy also helped expose Border Patrol’s secretive Critical Incident Teams (CITs), which covered up deaths and shielded agents from accountability. Following sustained community pressure, the Department of Homeland Security dismantled these units in 2022.
“Border agents must have thought Anastasio didn’t have a family or a community,” said his widow, María Puga. “They were wrong. We will keep fighting for justice for Anastasio and all victims of Border Patrol violence.”
Since Anastasio’s death, over 250 people have died in CBP custody, with no agents convicted. This ruling sends a clear message: U.S. border enforcement must be held accountable.
In San Diego and throughout the borderlands, community organizations will continue to organize and advocate for just policies that uphold the dignity of those who live under the threat of militarization, to ensure that no one else has to endure the brutality that led to Anastasio’s untimely death.