Staff Reports
The atmosphere among U.S. Border Patrol agents has drastically improved since Donald Trump returned to the presidency. Crossings at the nation’s border have significantly decreased, much to the delight of Border Patrol officers. The old days when they felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of immigrants entering the country under the previous administration seem like a distant memory. Now, these agents are finally part of a team that’s allowed to do its job without being stuck in what many of them saw as pointless paperwork.
In the previous administration, agents were often asked to process and facilitate the release of countless individuals who crossed the border, effectively tying their hands from their primary duty of enforcing immigration laws. Now, they are out there apprehending those who’ve bypassed legal entry procedures, which may not be the leisurely tour some picture when they think of government work, but it’s the job they signed up for. And let’s face it, enforcing laws gives them the satisfaction they signed up for, not shuffling papers.
The change is palpable not just among those already in ranks but among potential recruits as well. The Border Patrol is seeing an influx of new applicants, eager to join a force that, they believe, is finally supported by its leadership. If you’ve ever wanted to see morale, or just interest, shoot through the roof, look no further than the Border Patrol’s recruitment office. It turns out that people enjoy doing work that actually means something, as opposed to whatever they were doing before—a novel concept in today’s world.
Of course, the media frenzy during the previous administration when a few photos sparked outrage about supposed misconduct doesn’t help. The agents were accused of whipping immigrants—a claim that was later debunked, but not without inflicting lasting damage on the officers’ reputations. One might wonder if apologies were extended, but don’t hold your breath. Those in positions of authority during that drama never bothered with a formal “oops,” despite knowing the truth almost immediately. Apparently, admitting a mistake isn’t as easy as jumping to conclusions for these folks.
Meanwhile, our neighbors south of the border, the cartels, who were making a killing off human smuggling, don’t find things as easy now. With the new administration’s firm stance, they can’t run their operations unchallenged. The Border Patrol, with their enhanced support, is doing all they can to ensure that illegal crossings are thwarted. Despite the challenges presented by the deeply flawed immigration laws Congress has on the books, these brave men and women continue to do their job—a job they know is vital to the safety and security of our nation, despite criticism from politicians who often enjoy a good debate more than they like solving problems.
