The National Border Patrol Council told Fox News it supports the controversial bipartisan Senate border agreement announced Sunday ahead of a Senate vote expected later this week.
In a statement to Fox News, the NBPC said it supports and approves the agreement negotiated in the Senate. The union acknowledged it was not perfect, but said it was “much better than the status quo.” Still, the union stopped short of approving the remaining spending in the bill.
FILE: Migrants walk along the fortified banks of the Rio Grande River after crossing the border from Mexico into the United States as U.S. Border Patrol agents watch on, Sept. 28, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (John Moore/Getty Images)
Since President Joe Biden took office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has averaged more than 6,700 arrests per day, according to the NBPC. The majority of these are released under a policy known as “catch and release.”
According to the NBPC, approximately 60% of all Border Patrol agents are single adults, many of whom are men of military age.
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The NBPC said the Border Act of 2024 would give Border Patrol agents powers they didn’t previously have, including “to release single adults who have historically had to be released into the interior of the United States.” This includes “quick removal without lengthy judicial review.” ”
File: Texas National Guard as law enforcement waits near a boat launch into the Rio Grande River on January 26, 2024, at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas.governor (Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images)
NBPC believes that this will reduce the number of illegal border crossers and allow enforcement officers to focus on finding and arresting would-be illegal border crossers who are evading arrest.
“Although not perfect, the Border Act of 2024 is a step in the right direction and is much better than the status quo, which is why the National Border Patrol Council supports this bill and hopes for its early passage.” NBPC said in a statement. .
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The endorsement comes after senators on Sunday released the text of a long-awaited $118 billion package that combines border security policies with wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
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The bill has run into opposition from House Republican leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson. The House of Lords was due to hold a key test vote on the bill this week, but within hours of the document’s release, Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted on social media that if the bill reached the Commons, it would be “dead on arrival”. mentioned in.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
