Overview
Border Patrol agents are expressing a deep sense of frustration with the current administration’s handling of immigration and are warning of a potential mass exodus if Kamala Harris is elected president. Concerns are mounting over the policies implemented under the Biden-Harris administration, which agents argue have made their jobs more difficult and less effective in enforcing border security. As the 2024 election approaches, illegal immigration has become a critical issue for voters and Border Patrol agents alike.
Why It Matters
The administration’s immigration policies raise significant concerns about the security and safety of U.S. borders, which has implications for national security and public safety.
Who It Impacts
This issue directly affects Border Patrol agents and American citizens, particularly those in communities dealing with the consequences of unchecked illegal immigration.
As the 2024 presidential election draws near, many Border Patrol agents are voicing serious concerns about the potential for a mass resignation from the law enforcement agency if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected president. Citing frustration with the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of immigration policies, agents warn that working conditions under a continued Harris-led government would be unbearable. The National Border Patrol Union has already endorsed Donald Trump, signaling their strong opposition to the current administration’s approach to border security.
An anonymous Border Patrol agent, speaking with The New York Post, shared their frustrations, describing the past four years under the Biden-Harris administration as “four years in hell.” The agent explained that many of their colleagues who are eligible for retirement are planning to leave the agency if Harris is victorious in November. “I’m not doing this … again,” the agent said, a sentiment echoed by others in the field who claim that a Trump victory would convince them to stay.
Border Patrol agents accuse the administration of undermining their ability to do their jobs effectively. “Under this administration, they’ve done everything they could to make our job as inefficient as possible,” said one agent. According to multiple sources within the agency, the Biden-Harris administration’s policies have allowed criminals to enter the country, only to see them released into communities. The lack of enforcement and accountability, they argue, has only worsened the crisis at the border.
This discontent is not limited to rank-and-file agents. Yuma Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem also voiced his concerns, stating that morale among agents has reached an all-time low under the Biden-Harris administration. Clem criticized Harris’ recent political advertisements that portray her as supportive of border security. “Her ads are just putting salt on an already gaping wound for the morale of Border Patrol agents,” Clem said. Harris has recently released campaign materials promoting herself as a “border state prosecutor,” a move viewed with skepticism by those on the front lines of border enforcement.
The endorsement of Donald Trump by the National Border Patrol Union highlights the broader dissatisfaction within the agency. The union warned that, if Harris wins, “every city, every community in this great country is going to go to hell.” Many agents believe that illegal immigrants who entered the country during Biden’s presidency have been involved in violent crimes against American citizens, fueling fears that a continuation of current policies will lead to further crime and chaos.
The Biden-Harris administration has overseen a surge in illegal immigration, with more than 10 million individuals having crossed the southern border since President Biden took office. Additionally, an estimated 1.7 million illegal immigrant “gotaways” have entered the country under their leadership, a stark increase from the 415,000 recorded during the Trump administration between 2018 and 2020. Polling indicates that a majority of voters remain unconvinced by Harris’ explanations of her immigration policies, a critical issue as she campaigns for the presidency.
Border security remains one of the most important issues to voters as the election nears. The growing disconnect between Border Patrol agents and the administration they serve underscores a broader concern about the direction of immigration policy and the future of national security. Many in the agency view a potential Harris presidency as a continuation of policies that have failed to address the crisis at the border, with long-lasting effects on the safety and stability of the nation.