WASHINGTON, D.C. – Restore Public Trust is calling for the immediate removal of U.S. Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost and a congressional investigation into her involvement in a secret Facebook group. The group, whose members included many U.S. Border Patrol agents and senior officials, promoted racist, vulgar, and sexist content, including jokes about migrant deaths.

“Administration officials should be held to the highest standards of integrity and ethics. We expect them to work against hateful attitudes and bias,” said Karl Frisch, a senior advisor to Restore Public Trust. “The fact that Carla Provost would be involved with any online community that trafficked in racism, and anti-immigrant bigotry, disqualifies her from any position in the public trust.”

“Congress should formally investigate Provost and other senior members of Customs and Border Protection who were members of this Facebook group that promoted such repulsive attacks on immigrants, minorities, and women.”

Provost was named U.S. Border Patrol Chief in August 2018, after working at the agency for over 23 years, including as acting chief for more than a year. She was one of several Border Patrol supervisors or officials identified as current or former participants in the secret Facebook group formerly called “I’m 10-15” and now archived as “America First X 2.” According to recent reporting, the group’s existence has generated two investigations from lawmakers and internal Department of Homeland Security oversight bodies. 

A supporter of the border wall, Provost’s stint as Border Patrol Chief has been veiled with controversy. In August, she defended the Trump administration’s family separation policy, claiming the practice began before the Trump administration took over after previously denying the policy was in effect at all.