The National Border Patrol Council, which includes union representatives from around 16,000 U.S. Border Patrol agents, made headlines recently by endorsing Donald Trump for president during a rally on Sunday, October 13, 2024, held at Prescott Valley, Arizona. This endorsement is particularly significant, coming at a time when border security remains one of the most contested issues leading up to the presidential election.
During the rally, Paul Perez, president of the National Border Patrol Council, expressed serious concerns about the current border policies spearheaded by Vice President Kamala Harris, branding her as the "border czar". He warned those gathered, "If we allow border czar Harris to win this election, every city, every community in this great country is going to go to hell." Perez articulated the fears of many within the border enforcement community, alleging unchecked immigration is contributing to rising crime rates as unvetted individuals enter the U.S.
Continuing this narrative, Perez claimed, "The untold millions of people, unvetted, who she has allowed to populate this country are committing murders, rapes, robberies, burglaries, and every other crime will continue to put our country in peril." The alarming rhetoric emphasized the urgency perceived by some agents within the union, who feel the current administration is failing to maintain security along the southern border.
Trump seized upon this endorsement, declaring it "A GREAT HONOR" in response to the National Border Patrol Council's public support. He reaffirmed his commitment to border agents, stating, "I will always stand with the incredible men and women of Border Patrol, and today, I’m announcing a plan to address the shortage." Trump went on to pledge the hiring of 10,000 new Border Patrol agents, alongside asking Congress for financial support to boost their salaries and offer retention bonuses — elements aimed at restoring morale within the ranks of border agents.
While many praise Trump’s promises, including the planned salary increase and the addition of personnel, critics argue he is politicizing issues surrounding immigration for electoral gain. Democrats have pointed out the lack of cohesive solutions to the immigration crisis and are pushing back against what they call Trump's tactics of creating fears rather than substantial policies. Kamala Harris has recently visited border areas, asserting her plans to revive bipartisan approaches to immigration reform.
During his rally, Trump said, "We have the chaos we see on the southern border today because of the catastrophic failures of Kamala, our great ‘border czar’, who’s the worst in history." He emphasized the frustrations existing among current agents, tying their morale crisis directly to the Biden administration’s immigration policies. The former president's proposals to lift agent salaries include plans for immediate congressional approval of 10 percent raises, along with individual retention and signing bonuses substantively increasing agent incomes.
Perez reiterated the necessity of choosing Trump for the presidency, stating, "On behalf of the 16,000 men and women represented by the National Border Patrol Council, we strongly support and endorse Donald J. Trump for president of the United States." His statements echo the sentiments of many within the Border Patrol who feel increasingly disenfranchised by policies they perceive as weakening national security.
This endorsement follows years of the Border Patrol union predominantly aligning with Trump's hardline immigration narratives. While they had at one point supported various bipartisan immigration proposals, the union’s leadership has now solidified its support for Trump’s tough stance on border security. This is not the first time the council has supported Trump, as they stood behind him during both of his previous presidential campaigns.
From Harris’ perspective, she has recently attempted to reshape her approach to immigration policy. Following reports of increasingly dire border conditions, she has promised to advocate for reintroducing stricter guidelines aimed at managing migration issues and curbing illegal crossings — something she argues was successfully outlined in previous bipartisan bills obstructed by Trump's administration.
According to polling data, Trump holds tactical advantages among voters concerned about border security, especially within the swing state of Arizona. The region is pivotal due to its proximity to the southern border and its demographic diversity, intensifying the relevance of border control discussions among voters.
The upcoming election is anticipated to spotlight immigration as both candidates seek to assert their approach to the contentious issue. Trump, leveraging the endorsement from the National Border Patrol Council, is focusing his campaign narrative heavily on safety and security. Meanwhile, Harris is working to narrow the gap through renewed focus on comprehensive immigration reform, emphasizing her administration's willingness to oppose Republican positions rather than accepting them out of fear of hardline consequences.
Trump's proposed strategy includes not only hiring new agents but also addressing agent retention issues by improving pay and working conditions, something perceived as neglected under Biden's administration. He feels confident his previous actions demonstrated authentic support for border agents, contrasting sharply with what he describes as the current administration's failures.
The political battle over immigration policies is far from resolved, with Trump and Harris presenting distinctly different visions for the future of America’s border security. Supporters of Trump argue he understands the plight of Border Patrol agents, portraying him as the candidate who will prioritize their needs and the safety of the American public over political correctness.
With only weeks remaining before the general election, both parties are ramping up their efforts to sway undecided voters. Immigration remains one of the most potent issues likely to divide and mobilize the electorate. Trump’s rally endorsement signifies not only support from border agents but a potential rallying point for voters who prioritize national security as they head to the polls later this fall.
The National Border Patrol Council’s endorsement reflects broader sentiments held by many across the country — frustrations with perceived ineffectiveness of current border management strategies. The outcome for the border security issue may well impact the overall direction of not only the election but the ethos surrounding immigration discussions for years to come.
