The Department of Homeland Security avoids investigating at the highest level the treatment of migrants on horseback in Del Rio

The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, in English) "declined" to investigate the treatment of mounted Border Patrol agents on horseback to Haitian migrants in the Texas border town of Del Rio last September, according to the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

The images of the incident, which showed how the agents tried to cut off the migrants with aggressive tactics, provoked general rejection.

The DHS then announced the temporary suspension of the horse patrols of the immigration authorities and the opening of an investigation in this regard.

["Horrible": White House reacts to Border Patrol photos using whips against Haitian migrants]

Two months later, DHS has announced that the investigations will be conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility of the Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP, in English).

The results of the investigation will be sent to CBP management to determine if and what disciplinary action is taken, the department's statement added.

A Border Patrol agent on horseback tries to detain a Haitian migrant on the bank of the Rio Grande near Del Rio, Texas, on Sept. 19, 2021. PAUL RATJE / AFP via Getty Images

DHS removed several officers from their duties after Vice President Kamala Harris;

and the Secretary of National Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, described the images as "horrible."

Mayorkas then told the House Homeland Security Committee that an unspecified number of officers had been placed on administrative duty while investigators examined their actions.

Mayorkas said then that they would take action in a matter of "days and not weeks."