The number of Border Patrol agents enforcing the southern border has decreased under the Biden administration, even as illegal immigration continues to rise.
The total number of Border Patrol agents decreased from 16,614 in 2021 to 16,234 in 2023, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) report. released last week. At the same time, illegal immigration has increased rapidly since President Joe Biden took office in 2021, as his administration continues to face criticism for not adequately enforcing border security. (Related: Exclusive: Border Patrol eases grooming and tattoo standards amid recruitment crisis)
“Staffing availability continues to be an issue for current Southwest Border operations,” the DHS IG report states. “One official said his constituents 'couldn't hire fast enough.'”
Exclusive: Illegal immigrant who crosses Abbott's border slams fist at Border Patrol agenthttps://t.co/hjfo3uzi9q@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/te7NF8cczr
— Jennie Taer🇮🇱🇺🇸 (@JennieSTaer) September 28, 2023
The number of Border Patrol agents increased under the former Trump administration, reaching 16,806 in 2020, compared to 16,534 in 2018, according to the IG report. After President Joe Biden took office in 2021, that number began to decline consistently.
“There's a huge exodus of retirees and very little hiring,” an anonymous Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation. The Border Patrol is forced to work with outside partners to maintain operations on the southern border due to staffing shortages, according to the IG report.
Amid the staffing shortage crisis, the Border Patrol has relaxed its criteria for applicants, allowing agents to have tattoos and different hairstyles. The Border Patrol also offers new recruits a $10,000 bonus incentive if they complete training requirements and an additional $10,000 if they agree to work in a “hard-to-recruit location.” started offering.
Illegal immigration has skyrocketed under the Biden administration. Migrant encounters at the southern border will increase at an “unprecedented” pace from 400,000 in 2018 to 1.7 million in 2021 and more than 2.2 million in 2022, according to IG report are doing. In 2023, more than 500,000 migrants, sometimes informally known as “runaways,” crossed the border without being apprehended by Border Patrol agents.
Lawmakers have criticized the Biden administration for failing to enact policies to adequately secure the southern border. The House Homeland Security Committee is proceeding with impeachment proceedings against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas for failing to fulfill his responsibilities, and is scheduled to hold a final hearing on the matter on January 26th. according to Go to Punch Bowl News.
The White House and the House and Senate are working on a deal that could potentially link aid to Ukraine with border security measures, but details have not yet been finalized. House Speaker Mike Johnson met with Biden on Wednesday to discuss the agreement. Some of Mr Johnson's colleagues have warned that they will seek to oust him if he compromises on border funding.
DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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