The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), the union representing over 16,500 border patrol agents across the United States, is raising an alarm concerning weak borders and crippling immigration policy. Having recently endorsed Donald Trump for president, Brandon Judd, president of the NBPC, stated, “As someone who has been involved in border protection for over 18 years, I can tell you the border is not secure and the situation is getting worse.”
In statements regarding their endorsement of Donald Trump, Judd stated, “Our union endorsed Donald Trump because he is the only candidate, Democratic or Republican, who is speaking to what is actually going on at the border. He was the only candidate in fact that reached out to seek our endorsement. Do we agree with every statement Mr. Trump has made in this campaign — no. Do we like the tenor of this entire campaign — no. But Mr. Trump has offered to listen about how we can improve border security and that is something that no other candidate in this race has done.”
Appearing recently on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Shawn Moran, vice president of the NBPC, shed additional light on the Trump endorsement:
I think the American people don’t understand the full breadth of this problem. We have a president who has appointed a commissioner of Customs and Border Protection who is more political than ever, and they have carved out our immigration laws by policy, where border patrol agents are basically letting everyone we catch out the door. That’s not border security. We need a president who understands the problem, who is going to put the right political appointees in there, and who is going to let border patrol agents go out and enforce the law.
The commissioner Moran refers to is CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske. Nominated by President Obama and sworn in on March 7, 2014, Kerlikowske has drawn the ire of many border patrol agents who feel border patrol policy has become nothing more than what Brandon Judd has called a “catch and release” system.
Recently, in written statements to the House Judiciary Committee, Judd said Border Patrol agents were informed by a top Homeland Security official that the Obama administration has “no intention of deporting” a large number of illegal immigrants sneaking into the country, and has instead issued orders for them to be released so they “don’t clog up the courts.” Even criminal cases involving illegal immigrants have found detainees being allowed to leave, having neither been deported nor given a Notice to Appear (NTA), which would have at least put them into the deportation process.
Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told Judd not to bother pressing for detainees to be processed or given a NTA. Claiming the court system already has a 3-6 year backlog, Mayorkas has stated the necessity to prioritize those they choose to deport and focus their meager resources on the “worst of the worst.”
“Why would we NTA those we have no intention of deporting?” Alejandro asked, continuing, “Since the day of this meeting we have seen no improvements in our enforcement efforts and the morale of the Border Patrol agents is one of, if not the lowest in the entire federal government.” Agents have complained for several years that they have their hands virtually tied by the Obama administration, its policies, and officials such as Kerlikowske who chose to play politics rather than enforce immigration law and stand behind those agents.
In response, CBP Commissioner Kerlikowske has chosen to continue the game of politics, casually brushing aside Judd’s complaints and referred to the entirety of the NBPC as “probably not the most knowledgeable organization about what’s actually going on.” In further statements, Kerlikowske said in effect, if agents are not happy with Obama administration Border Patrol and Immigration policies, they should simply quit. Stated Kerlikowske, “Well if you really don’t want to follow the directions of your superiors, including the president of the United States and the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, then you really do need to look for another job.”
Judd summed up his opinion on the matter, accusing the Obama administration of encouraging more illegal immigrants to flock to the United States by “forcing Border Patrol agents to release unlawful immigrants into the United States with no intention of ever removing them.”
In a September 2015 testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Judd documented five areas in which border security and safety might be improved:
• Increased manpower — In Judd’s opinion, the Border Patrol is a full 5,000 agents short of where it should be.
• Supervisory staffing levels — Calling the CBP an organization far too “top heavy,” Judd feels the supervisor-to-agent ratio should be taken from its current 4:1 ratio to a 10:1 ratio, putting emphasis on field agents rather than office workers.
• Interior enforcement — Highlighting the vast shortage of “goal line defense” agents, Judd noted, “You may be surprised to learn that even in a border state like Arizona we have no Agents in Phoenix. This, despite the fact that Phoenix is one of the most important illegal immigrant and narcotics transit points in the country.”
• Improved training — Noting the academy had been reduced during the Bush administration from 20 weeks to 54 days for agents who spoke Spanish, there was a recommendation to revert back to a full 20 weeks of training for all agents.
• Prosecute assaults against Border Patrol Agents — Noting the unfortunate truth that Border Patrol management “often does not support Agents charging aliens with assault,” Judd noted the need to stand behind the agents and hold illegal aliens accountable for dangerous behavior.
In a previous article, we noted, “We have seen our share of terrorism in the United States as well, as the attacks of 9/11 have shown us. If we are to be secure, we must not only secure our borders, but conduct thorough security checks on all whom we allow to cross them. We must know who the aliens we allow to enter our country are — and where they are.” However, from recent comments by Brandon Judd and the NBPC, it would look like an overwhelming task under the current administration and with current staff.
As we also noted elsewhere,
Smugglers and other criminals are pouring across the often-undefended border, residents [of border states] explained, jeopardizing their livelihoods and even their lives — not to mention national security. Some of the [residents] had even lost loved ones in the lawlessness. And despite years of pleading with federal and state officials for help, residents, activists, and ranchers sounded exasperated, saying their pleas had gone unanswered so far. More boots on the ground are needed, locals said. At least one retired lawman suggested that sheriffs deputize citizens. Some … even called for deploying troops to the border.
While many people and organizations have raised concerns over campaign statements and policies put forth by candidate Trump, one thing is certain: The problems at the U.S.-Mexico border must not be ignored any longer. As the presidential race continues, the border protection and immigration policy of each candidate must be heard and carefully evaluated.
Image: Fence along U.S.-Mexico border near El Paso, Texas
