Time and time again, law enforcement has harmed us, not helped us.

Netflix is streaming reality programs that demonize Black people and immigrants.

Tell Netflix to drop all reality programs about law enforcement.

Dear John,

Netflix has been streaming a reality show called “Border Security: America's Front Line,” a series that follows Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents as they “safeguard the nation’s crossings.”1 But what CBP does is far from making this country safe. Time and time again, CBP has made it clear that it’s dedicated to carrying out Trump’s racist, xenophobic agenda. Its agents have been targeting racial minorities, separating children from their families, abusing LGBTQ+ people, and engaging in other heinous acts.2,3,4 Airing a program that glorifies these atrocities is disturbing. 

Tell Netflix to prohibit reality series that portray law enforcement.

CBP habitually demonizes Black and Latinx people. It creates fear in our communities and makes our people feel unsafe in their own homes. “Border Security: America’s Front Line,” however, make CBP agents look like heroes. But there is nothing heroic about an agency that tear-gassed refugees, continues to jail migrant children, and has even denied people necessities like soap and flu vaccines.5 What this show really does is perpetuate xenophobia and create fear and hysteria toward immigrants and Black communities.

Tell Netflix to stop streaming reality shows that glorify law enforcement. 

Increasingly, Black migrants are seeking safety through the United States-Mexico border, and law enforcement’s demonization of Black people knows no bounds.6 By racially profiling our people and creating fear among our communities, law enforcement agencies make Black Americans and vulnerable Black migrants feel unsafe in their own homes and unwelcome in this country. Despite these disturbing realities, Netflix’s “Border Security: America’s Front Line” glorifies law enforcement agents, and neglects to show the atrocities that agencies like CBP regularly commit. This show is perpetuating fear and hysteria toward Black communities and immigrants, and it is unacceptable that Netflix continues to stream it.

Join us in demanding Netflix remove programs portraying law enforcement from its platform. 

Until justice is real, 

—Jade, Rashad, Arisha, Johnny, Future, Amanda, Evan, Imani, Samantha, Eesha, Marcus, FolaSade, and the rest of the Color Of Change team

References: 

  1. “Border Patrol: America’s Front Line,” Netflix, 2016, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/198356?t=9&akid=39683%2E4731121%2E2R1S84
  2. "Border Patrol Stopped an Undocumented Man at the Indio Greyhound Station Because His ‘Shoes Looked Suspicious,'" The Desert Sun, March 21, 2018,  https://act.colorofchange.org/go/63545?t=11&akid=39683%2E4731121%2E2R1S84
  3. "Trump Said He'd Round up 'Bad Hombres.' How Did a Jamaican Grandma Get on That List?" Miami Herald, January 23, 2018, http://act.colorofchange.org/go/63546?t=13&akid=39683%2E4731121%2E2R1S84 
  4. "'These Children Are Barefoot. In Diapers. Choking on Tear Gas,'" The Washington Post, November 26, 2018, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/198358?t=15&akid=39683%2E4731121%2E2R1S84
  5. "'These Children Are Barefoot. In Diapers. Choking on Tear Gas,'" The Washington Post, November 26, 2018, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/198358?t=17&akid=39683%2E4731121%2E2R1S84
  6. “US-Mexico borders sees surge in African immigrants, who face limited options,” National Catholic Reporter, November 18, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/219871?t=19&akid=39683%2E4731121%2E2R1S84

Photo: Institute for Policy Studies.

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