New evidence brings focus to the “whipping” controversy at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Emails obtained by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, reveal that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was told the photos showing horseback border patrol agents “whipping” Haitian migrants were misleading.

After the photos went viral, officials within the agency alerted Mayorkas that the photographer said he never witnessed any whipping.

But hours later at a White House press conference, Mayorkas didn’t discredit the claim, instead he called the images “horrifying.” His sentiment was backed by President Biden.

In July, the Office of Professional Responsibility found that no whips were in border patrols’ possession and that no migrants had been struck by the horses reins. However, the agents are still facing discipline for other alleged misconduct.