Some U.S. border patrol agents are so frustrated with Biden’s border policies that they are considering early retirement, while other disgruntled agents are buying unofficial coins that say “U.S. Welcome Patrol.” W/ @kristinacooke and @micarosenberg:https://t.co/CkG0m0cqJc
— Ted Hesson (@tedhesson) May 14, 2021
Maybe it’s just me, but having the most authoritarian-crazed, anti-migrant individuals remove themselves from the Border Patrol sounds like a *good* thing?
… Interviews with a dozen current and former agents highlight growing dissatisfaction among some rank and file members of the agency over Biden’s swift reversal of some of former President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies. Since Biden took office, border apprehensions have risen sharply.
Some of that frustration is coalescing into opposition to Biden’s pick to lead the border patrol’s parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The nominee is Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus, who still needs to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
The discontent was partly reflected in an unusual memo from the acting Border Patrol chief last month, who objected to a new directive to stop using the term ‘alien’ when referring to migrants, saying it would hurt agents’ morale.
The interviews provide an anecdotal snapshot of the mood within border patrol and, as such, do not represent the views of all agents. One agent who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity said “there are always going to be changes” between presidential administrations and that agents are “used to it.”
But any internal strife could complicate plans Magnus may have to implement and reshape border and asylum policy. Criticism from even a small number of agents could also bolster Republican efforts to use concerns over illegal immigration to rally supporters ahead of the 2022 congressional elections…
Open ICE Thread: Seems Like A Win/Win SituationPost + Comments (61)