All along the border, organized vigilante groups are filming themselves conducting patrols, taking photos of themselves alongside law enforcement, and sharing footage online to solicit donations, promote their work, and recruit new members. They’ve also forged relationships with local and federal law enforcement, particularly in several border counties in Arizona and Texas, raising questions about the extent to which vigilantes are illegally attempting to do the work of law enforcement or violating other laws.
Author Archives: Avery Schmitz
Avery Schmitz is an open-source investigator covering extremism and conflict. Beyond his reporting for the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, Avery’s prior freelance work has been featured by Rolling Stone, Bellingcat, Lawfare, Scripps News, and other outlets. Avery currently works on the international newsgathering and open-source investigative teams at CNN.