Shane Millan, a 53-year-old Border Patrol agent in the United States, has confessed to compelling several immigrant women to reveal their breasts while managing their entry documentation. This incident occurred during their admittance into the U.S. in 2023. Millan entered a guilty plea on two charges of violating rights under color of law, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York.
Millan was positioned on Wellesley Island in the upper region of New York State at the time of his unlawful actions. His duties involved online processing of immigrants who were crossing into the U.S. from its southern border. His unethical activities were linked to this task, utilizing virtual communication technology.
During a specific incident in August 2023, Millan was handling the entry paperwork of a female migrant via a virtual meeting. He deceitfully alleged that her documents mentioned a chest tattoo, according to the terms of his plea agreement. The woman, identified solely by her initials P.L.R in court files, denied this claim.
Despite her denial, Millan insisted that she bare her chest to substantiate her assertion. This forced her to unbutton her shirt and bra, revealing her breasts to Millan on the webcam. Throughout this incident, the woman’s infant, just a year old, was by her side.
As the paperwork-related procedures wound down, Millan repeated his earlier demand. He asked her once more to confirm the absence of the supposed chest tattoo. He vowed not to approve the documents unless he was totally convinced that there existed no tattoo.
Reluctantly, the woman acquiesced to his demands a second time, and once again exposed her breasts on the webcam. Close to two weeks after this incident, around August 25, Millan found himself processing the entry paperwork of another female migrant, simply identified as A.P.G. in court files. This woman was accompanied by her husband and child during the virtual session.
Turning a blind eye to decency, Millan instructed A.P.G’s husband and child to leave their room. This was after the woman had shown Millan a tattoo near her collarbone and explained that it was her only one. Undeterred, Millan ordered A.P.G. to raise her shirt and bra.
In compliance with his intrusive directives, the woman unhooked her bra and displayed her breasts for the webcam. She later replicated this action toward the conclusion of the interaction to comply with his unwarranted requests. The plea agreement indicated that throughout the month of August, Millan behaved similarly with numerous women.
In his quest to manipulate these women, Millan even sought out Spanish translations of phrases that would allow him to coerce these women into unveiling their breasts. Phrases that he identified included requests such as: ‘I require you to lift your shirt and bra as well, please’, and ‘Could you elevate it higher, please’.
This pattern of behavior exhibited by Millan was a blatant violation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines. These regulations strictly prohibit officers from participating in intrusive voyeuristic practices during processing. Furthermore, the regulations mandate seeking supervisor-level authorization prior to conducting strip searches.
A sentencing hearing for Millan has been arranged for July 5. Depending on the court’s judgement, Millan may face a maximum of two years in prison along with a possible penalty of up to $200,000. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York confirmed this in a statement.
The cases brought forward against Millan demonstrate a grievous abuse of power in a position of authority. This misconduct scarred the dignity of several immigrant women as they were entering a new country, marking a dark chapter in their journey.
Furthermore, the distress caused by Millan’s actions may negatively impact these women and their families’ perceptions and experiences of the American immigration system. It underlines the urgent need for stricter oversight and regulation in areas of policy and procedure to curtail such shameful incidents.
The proceedings against Millan serve as a stark reminder to law enforcement personnel about the importance of adhering to policies and regulations. It also underscores the seriousness of the consequences they may face for wrongdoings committed under the color of law.
Finally, it echoes the broader societal call for the treatment of immigrants to be conducted with respect and dignity. It emphasizes that there should be no tolerance for such abuse, especially from those appointed to uphold the law and protect the rights of individuals seeking a new beginning.