Los Angeles, March 5 (RHC)-- U.S. border agents are facing new scrutiny for killing migrants, with 21 civilian deaths reported since 2010.

The Los Angeles Times obtained a report by law enforcement experts that criticized the Border Patrol’s "lack of diligence" in investigations and found agents deliberately stepped into the paths of cars, apparently to justify shooting the drivers.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection tried to suppress the report, omitting key findings when it was released to members of Congress.

In its response to the report, the government rejected its two central recommendations: stopping agents from shooting at cars unless someone inside is trying to kill them, and blocking them from firing at people who are throwing things that cannot cause serious injury.

Last week, McClatchy reported that in January a border agent shot and killed a migrant in Arizona who appeared to be on his knees. The agent claimed the victim lunged for his gun.