A federal magistrate accused the Border Patrol of hiding controversial information about conduct at the U.S. checkpoints along the Arizona – Mexico border.

The 55-page recommendation by Judge Bernado Velasco comes three years after law professors at the University of Arizona requested information on U.S. Border Patrol procedures at checkpoints.  

In that time, the border agency released more than 13,000 pages of information on its Tucson and Yuma facilities, but excluded 18 other border sectors and would not report where the permanent or roving checkpoints are located. 

Attorneys for the ACLU argue that information is in the public interest.

It joined the case in 2015 after reports of “epidemic” abuse, including agents using assault weapons to threaten drivers, false alerts by patrol dogs and destroying detainees’ personal property.