Border Patrol morale low as agents react to 2022 migration record

A new record set at the southern border. The Department of Homeland Security revealed border patrol agents encountered more than 2.3 million immigrants this fiscal year.

It’s a 37-percent increase compared to last year and more than 5 times the number of encounters from 2020.

CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus says the surge was driven by an influx of migrants from authoritarian regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. In fact, Border Patrol encounters with people from those countries increased 245% in September compared to the same month last year. 

This has taken a toll on the Border Patrol’s morale. 

One senior agent who spoke anonymously to Straight Arrow News said agents are “frustrated”, have a sense of “hopelessness”, and are “physically and emotionally exhausted.”

Another senior agent wrote: “Feel like we aren’t doing the job we were hired to do which  is secure the border with HONOR.” 

William Jackson retired from the Border Patrol in December 2021 after 24 years of service. He’s able to speak more openly. 

Jackson: “Well, the problem with the Biden administration is they’re using the executive orders as a way to change the way that we enforce the law. They can’t do that. The legislative branch is responsible for that.”

Ray: “Why shouldn’t an elected chief executive be able to put out guidance and say, hey, this is what we want to focus on?” 

Jackson: “Well, the problem with that is the way that system is running, when you overwhelm it with this amount of people it’s hard to be able to go the normal route. So I can see to some degree how they would want to go ahead and streamline it for the people that are coming in. The problem with that is the safety and security of our country is at risk. We are streamlining things to the point we’re allowing people into our country, unvetted.”

There’s also increased scrutiny on the performance of agents. 

One example: this picture of a Haitian migrant and an agent on horseback. 

It led to accusations of agents whipping the immigrants. But an investigation found the agents never whipped anyone, although it did determine they used unnecessary force and vulgar language.  

This is how DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas responded at the time. 

Mayorkas: “We know that those images painfully conjured up the worst elements of our nation’s ongoing battle against systemic racism”

Now, more than a year after the incident took place, newly released emails reveal Mayorkas was told two hours before those comments that the photos were being misconstrued. 

The photographer saying quote: “I’ve never seen them whip anyone.” 

Ray: “What do you think of that comment with the added factor that he was already told it wasn’t true? 

Jackson: “It’s obviously no support for the troops on the ground. Even the President and the DHS secretary coming up online and saying, hey, you know what, we got it wrong this time would have shown the American public how humble our executive branch is, how humble our DHS secretary is to print a retraction. But when you blatantly, you know, lie and continue the lie regardless of the truth.”

One agent told Straight Arrow News they believe Mayorkas should resign – if not be fired. Saying quote: “He turned the President, the administration, and millions of Americans against us.”

Even President Biden responded. 

Biden: “I promise you those people will pay. “

Ray “What does that do to the morale when agents hear the President of the United States say something like that?”

Jackson: “He destroys it. He’s still the commander in chief and he makes decisions being that he’s the executive branch to be able To execute the laws we were out there doing to be able to serve. The problem with the President coming online is there wasn’t a full investigation yet.”

The agency’s 2022 fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30, was also the deadliest 12 months for border-crossers. 856 migrants died trying to enter the US. According to Border Patrol figures, drowning and heat exhaustion were among the top causes. 

Jackson: “If you want to go ahead and have a solution to this problem, first of all you gotta enforce the law. Let’s enforce It’s the law. However, we can make amends and get people through the legal system here to make a judicial decision. Then let’s do it. Let’s find a way.”