The Biden administration’s policies on how to deal with illegal migrants, coupled with the steep increase in migrant encounters at access points, have caused there to be severely decreased patrolling of the United States-Mexico border between points of entry.
The revelations indicate a substantial reassignment of Border Patrol agents from patroling to processing and releasing undocumented individuals within the country, raising worries about compromised homeland security.
The chief patrol agents, in their transcribed interviews that took place earlier this year, outlined the adverse effects on the morale of agents actively patrolling the border and highlighted an increased risk of “gotaways” who successfully evade being apprehended at the border. Additionally, the interviews underscored the temporary reassignment of Border Patrol agents to different sectors to manage surges, further straining manpower in their home sectors.
The OIG report highlighted how overwhelming surges of illegal migrants have compelled a shift in agents’ missions, negatively impacting the mental health and morale of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel.
The consequences, as detailed in the transcripts, include low morale and a reduced Border Patrol presence along the Southwest border, which collectively pose a threat to the nation’s security.
The Committee’s findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive review of border management strategies to ensure a balanced approach that upholds both the integrity of the border and the well-being of Border Patrol agents. As the nation grapples with ongoing border challenges, addressing the concerns raised by frontline personnel becomes paramount to maintaining effective homeland security measures.
Mr. Green highlighted his concerns in the committee’s press release, saying, “As some senior Border Patrol leaders told us, Border Patrol agents signed up for this job because they want to be in the field, helping secure the homeland and protect their families and communities. Under Secretary Mayorkas, however, that mission has been largely taken away from them.
“Processing and releasing illegal aliens into the interior is not the job they signed up for, and it pulls them away from their vital frontline security mission. It goes directly against their law enforcement mandate to enforce consequences against lawbreaking, not reward it.
The Tennessee Republican went on to say, “It’s little wonder why agents continue to tell anyone who will listen, including this Committee, the media, and the DHS inspector general, that morale has cratered, and many are questioning why they should continue on the job. This consequence of Secretary Mayorkas’ reckless disregard for the laws of this country will reverberate for as long as his policies remain in place.”
Troy A. Miller, a senior official performing the duties of the Commissioner for Customs and Border Protection, responded to The Epoch Times’ request for comment on the report.
“The encounter levels we are currently seeing across the southwest border are presenting a serious challenge to the men and women of CBP,” he said.
“To meet this challenge, we are using all available resources to ensure the safety and security of our agents and officers, and the migrants who are often misled and victimized by the transnational criminal organizations … CBP and our federal partners need additional funding from Congress so that we can continue to effectuate consequences for those who do not use the established pathways.”
