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The challenges facing the agency are not just about policy. Morale within the ranks has reportedly plummeted, with many agents blaming the current leadership. The agency has reportedly lost over 4,000 personnel since 2020, dropping to just 19,000 employees as of the latest reports. Despite recruitment incentives, including bonuses of up to $30,000, the Border Patrol has struggled to fill the gap. Even retired agents being called back to duty haven’t been enough to stem the tide of departures.
If Kamala Harris wins the presidency, many agents believe she’ll be met with a staffing crisis on day one. As one agent warned, “We will have another exodus just because we will have a bunch of 20-year agents saying ‘peace out.’” This sentiment is shared by many within the agency, particularly those with five to 10 years of experience who are often the ones shouldering much of the operational burden. Many of these agents are already contemplating using their skills to find work elsewhere if Harris takes office.
Frustration runs deep within the ranks, with one agent stating, “Under this administration, they’ve done everything they could to make our job as inefficient as possible. They can’t outwardly tell us not to do our job, but when you’re watching criminals come in and get released, it sucks.”
The decline in morale isn’t just reflected in the increasing resignation rates. The emotional and psychological toll on agents has also led to a disturbing rise in suicides within the agency. In 2022, the agency recorded a record 15 suicides, prompting the Border Patrol to hire its first-ever suicidologist. Agents are being pushed to their limits, and many feel the leadership isn’t doing enough to support them.
“The morale has never been as low in the Border Patrol,” said former Yuma Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem. “Kamala Harris has been bad for morale, for not only law enforcement around the country, but also for our border security personnel.” Clem’s statement underscores a broader feeling of disillusionment that many agents share.
Bold, Durable, and Patriotic: Trump Yard Signs Selling Out!
Throughout their tenure, the Biden-Harris administration has been heavily criticized for their handling of the border crisis. Despite the hundreds of thousands of illegal crossings that occurred each month for much of their term, the administration only recently introduced new asylum restrictions. Critics argue that this shift in policy is aimed at improving Harris’ electability rather than genuinely addressing the border crisis.
Paul Perez, president of the National Border Patrol Council, didn’t mince words when discussing the potential consequences of a Harris presidency. “If we allow Border Czar Harris to win this election, every city, every community in this great country, is going to go to hell. The untold millions of people, unvetted, who she has allowed into this country that are committing murders, rapes, robberies, burglaries, and every other crime will continue to put our country in peril,” Perez said, adding that Donald Trump is the only one who can fix the crisis and restore order.
The border issue remains a top concern for voters, and as the election draws closer, the future of U.S. border security will likely be a critical issue that could determine the next president. The National Border Patrol Council’s endorsement of Trump highlights the stark divide in how each candidate plans to address the ongoing border crisis, and for many agents, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
