DHS to Prioritize CBP Working Conditions Following Secretary’s Visit to Border
Denise Cathey | AP
Amidst a wave of migration along the U.S.-Mexico border larger than previous years, the Biden Administration has increased its focus on U.S. Border Patrol. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas presented 19 solutions to address working conditions following a meeting between senior officials and field agents, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Chris Magnus.
Secretary Mayorkas vowed to pursue prosecutions of those accused of assaulting CBP officials in the course of their duties, an issue that was discussed at a recent meeting in Laredo, Texas.
“That’s something that agents in the field want to hear because assaults are on the uptick,” Commissioner Magnus stated, “We are not just seeing folks who are fleeing to the U.S. to get away from conditions. We are seeing smugglers, members of cartels, and drug organizations that are actively engaged in doing harm.”
While meeting with Secretary Mayorkas and Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz, Ortiz admitted morale was falling to an "all-time low." One agent complained about "doing nothing" except releasing individuals back into the United States after they migrate across the border, a reference to the practice of allowing migrants to remain in the country until their immigration cases are resolved. A number of the agents raised concerns about staffing shortages and COVID-19 policies, among other issues.
Immigration court documents indicate border officers processed 153,941 individuals entering the country in January–an all-time high for the month compared to previous years. In addition to releasing 46,186 individuals back into the United States, CBP officials deported or returned 6,775 individuals to another nation in accordance with federal immigration law.
With the surge the agency has seen, local police have been forced to take on more duties. The stress on Border Patrol agents and law enforcement has led to a higher number of suicides and alcohol-related incidents, according to Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX). An increasing number of officers have also retired and positions have become hard to fill.
"The Border Patrol agents and the sheriffs are beyond a breaking point," said Rep. Gonzales, whose district spans about 800 miles from south of El Paso to north of Laredo.
Rep. Gonzales has proposed doubling funding for Operation Stonegarden, a program under Homeland Security (DHS) that allows law enforcement agencies to boost their capabilities through funding for new hires, overtime hours, and equipment. The Border Operations Strengthened by Stonegarden (BOSS) Act (H. R. 6673) would raise CBP funding from $90 million to $180 million, with funds allocated specifically for technology acquisition, and employee hiring and retention.
“Operation Stonegarden is a lifeline for our Border Patrol who rely on local law enforcement and sheriffs to support their efforts at our southern border,” stated Congressman Gonzales, “Despite the historic spike and traffic at the border, funding levels for Operation Stonegarden–a crucial program for our Border Patrol–have not increased since 2019. Our border is on fire, and we need to have an all-hands-on-deck approach, which includes effectively utilizing our local officers.”