Border Patrol Problems Brewing Amidst Policy Frustrations and Leadership Concerns

"Police U.S. Border Patrol uniform close-up."

Border Patrol agents threaten mass exodus if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidency, citing years of frustration and policy disagreements.

At a Glance

Border Patrol agents consider leaving if Kamala Harris becomes president
The National Border Patrol Council endorsed former President Donald Trump
Agency faces significant turnover, low morale, and staffing shortages
Record migrant encounters under Biden-Harris administration
Harris criticized for handling of border issues and recent border visit

Border Patrol Morale at All-Time Low

The U.S. Border Patrol is facing a potential crisis as agents consider leaving en masse if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidency. Frustration has been building within the agency, with many agents feeling undermined and scapegoated by current policies. The National Border Patrol Council, representing 16,000 agents, has thrown its support behind former President Donald Trump, highlighting the deep divide between frontline officers and the current administration.

The agency has already experienced significant turnover, losing over 4,000 personnel since October 2020. Despite increased recruitment incentives, staffing shortages persist. The situation has become so dire that a suicidologist has been hired to address rising suicide rates within Customs and Border Protection, with a record 15 suicides recorded in 2022.

U.S. Border Patrol Agents are threatening to quite if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected. “I’m not doing this s–t again … four years of h-ll,” said one agent.

“Lots of guys who can retire will go. If Trump wins, they’ll stay,” said another agent.

Multiple Border Patrol… pic.twitter.com/e1pV6Pkam3

— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) October 15, 2024

Agents Voice Frustration

Border Patrol agents are not mincing words when it comes to their dissatisfaction with the current administration. The sentiment among many is clear, as one agent bluntly stated, “I’m not doing this s–t again … four years of hell.” This frustration is compounded by the perception that the administration is not taking border security seriously.

According to the NY Post, “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.”

Former Yuma Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem has criticized the administration for low morale and perceived insincerity in border security efforts. The National Border Patrol Council has been particularly vocal, accusing Vice President Harris of ignoring the border crisis she allegedly helped create.

Harris’s Border Visit Sparks Controversy

Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent visit to the southern border in Douglas, Arizona, has done little to quell the discontent. While Harris advocated for increased border security and an immigration system overhaul, her actions and words have been met with skepticism from Border Patrol agents and their union.

The National Border Patrol Council disputed Harris’s claim that she played a role in increasing overtime pay for border agents, further straining the relationship between the administration and frontline officers. The timing of Harris’s acknowledgment of the need for more resources has also been criticized, given that over 8 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended in the past four years.

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

Political Implications

The border crisis has become a central issue in the ongoing political discourse. Former President Donald Trump has seized on the situation, criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of border security and proposing to add 10,000 new Border Patrol agents if elected. This stark contrast in approaches has further polarized the debate around immigration and border control.

As the 2024 election approaches, the future of the Border Patrol and the nation’s immigration policies hang in the balance. The potential mass exodus of experienced agents could severely impact the agency’s ability to secure the border effectively. With migrant encounters having surpassed 10 million under the Biden-Harris administration, the need for a coherent and effective border strategy has never been more critical.