Mexico has launched a homicide probe into this week’s fire at an immigrant jail in Ciudad Juárez near the U.S. border, which killed 39 asylum seekers. This is Mexican Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez. 

Rosa Icela Rodríguez: “We have identified eight people allegedly responsible for the events. Two federal agents, one state migration agent and five members of the private security company are already testifying before the prosecutor’s office. … Part of the investigation is to confirm why civil protection protocols were not followed. It’s clear that they were not respected. Also, we want to know why they did not save lives and were not able to open a gate.”

The tragedy has brought renewed scrutiny to the inhumane border policies enacted by the U.S. and the harsh conditions at Mexican migrant jails.