Border Patrol agents threaten mass exodus if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidency, citing years of frustration and low morale.
At a Glance
- Border Patrol agents considering leaving if Kamala Harris wins presidency
- National Border Patrol Council endorsed former President Donald Trump
- Agency lost over 4,000 personnel since October 2020
- Record 15 suicides recorded in 2022 within Customs and Border Protection
- Migrant encounters surpassed 10 million under Biden-Harris administration
Border Patrol Morale at All-Time Low
The U.S. Border Patrol is facing a potential crisis as agents threaten to leave en masse if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidency. The agency, already grappling with significant turnover and low morale under the Biden-Harris administration, has lost over 4,000 personnel since October 2020. This exodus comes amid rising tensions between frontline agents and leadership, with many feeling undermined and scapegoated for the ongoing border crisis.
The National Border Patrol Council, representing 16,000 agents, has taken a strong stance by endorsing former President Donald Trump. This move underscores the deep-seated frustration within the agency’s ranks. The situation has become so dire that the agency has hired a suicidologist to address the alarming rise in suicide rates within Customs and Border Protection, with a record 15 suicides recorded in 2022.
Fact check on Harris speech in Douglas, Arizona:
Today, VP Harris claimed that she played a role in increasing Border Patrol Agent overtime pay.
This couldn't be further from the truth. As with all things border related she was no where to be found when we needed her.
— Border Patrol Union – NBPC (@BPUnion) September 28, 2024
Agents Voice Their Concerns
The sentiment among Border Patrol agents is one of desperation and frustration. Many are contemplating early retirement or career changes if faced with another term under the current administration’s policies. Former Yuma Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem has criticized the administration for what he perceives as insincerity in border security efforts, further exacerbating the morale issue.
“Border patrol agents are threatening to leave the critical federal agency in droves if Vice President Kamala Harris wins in November — with multiple agents telling The Post that they can’t face four more years of being undermined and scapegoated.” – Source
The National Border Patrol Council has been vocal in its criticism of Vice President Harris, accusing her of ignoring the border crisis she allegedly helped create. They dispute her claims of involvement in increasing overtime pay for agents, highlighting the disconnect between leadership and those on the ground.
Harris’s Border Visit and Campaign Strategy
In an apparent attempt to address these concerns, Vice President Harris recently visited the southern border in Douglas, Arizona. During her visit, she advocated for increased border security and an overhaul of the immigration system. Harris proposed extending restrictions to reduce unlawful crossings and pledged to sign a border security bill if elected president.
“They need more resources to do their jobs,” Ms. Harris said after meeting with Border Patrol agents in Douglas, Ariz., her first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border since she became the Democratic presidential nominee. – Source
However, her visit was met with skepticism from both Border Patrol agents and political opponents. Former President Trump criticized Harris’s border visit, accusing the Biden administration of failing to secure the border. The timing of her acknowledgment of the need for more resources has also been questioned, given that over 8 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended in the past four years.
The Road Ahead
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the issue of border security remains a critical point of contention. Both Trump and Harris have pledged to increase Border Patrol staffing, with Trump proposing an addition of 10,000 new agents. However, the current climate of low morale and potential mass resignations poses a significant challenge to the agency’s future effectiveness.
The Biden administration is expected to take further action to restrict asylum for illegal border crossers, potentially in an attempt to address some of the concerns raised by Border Patrol agents. However, whether these measures will be enough to stem the tide of resignations and restore faith in leadership remains to be seen.
Sources:
- Border patrol agents threaten to leave in droves if Kamala Harris wins: ‘Not doing this s–t again’
- Border Patrol union blasts Harris for ‘ignoring problem she created’ after her first visit in 3 years: ‘Where has she been?’
- Harris, Visiting Border, Calls for Extending Restrictions and Adding Security: Sept. 27 Campaign News
