Insights on Border Security Under Trump and Biden

When my phone rang that evening, I was having dinner with my wife. The caller ID read “Potus.” My wife’s reaction was a simple, “Ah, no.” President Donald Trump wanted me to handle three critical issues: securing the borders, executing extensive deportation operations, and locating hundreds of thousands of missing children. That was during his invitation to become his border overseer.

As of now, our borders are reportedly the safest they’ve ever been. But I’m skeptical. Credit goes to President Trump for ending the catch-and-release policy and signing an executive order facilitating returns to Mexico, along with the contracts and strategies he initiated. Yet, the primary accolades should go to the dedicated men and women of U.S. Border Patrol that I’ve had the privilege of working alongside.

Every day, I analyze the data: the criminals and potential terrorists apprehended, the children saved. It fills me with pride—pride in the ICE agents, pride in the Border Patrol, and pride in the President who made these achievements possible.

The Purposeful Crisis at the Border

Over the last four years, I’ve consistently voiced my concerns regarding the open-border policies that the Biden administration has implemented. This isn’t merely chaos or a lack of competence; it feels systemic.

I have insight from my time under President Barack Obama, during which Joe Biden was the Vice President, and the former Homeland Security Director was Deputy Secretary. Back then, we faced a spike in family crossings, and we countered it effectively by establishing family housing centers, detaining immigrants until court dates, and sending back 90% of those who lost their asylum claims. And it worked.

However, when Biden and Mayorkas regained control, they chose entirely different approaches. They banned detentions and hampered immigration enforcement efforts, resulting in a designed chaos. Daily, the borders opened to various horrors: assaults on women, fatalities among children, family trafficking, and even terrorists sneaking through. Alarmingly, about 31% of women crossing through cartels have reported sexual assaults. That’s deeply troubling.

Trump’s policies reduced illegal immigration dramatically—by 96%. This meant fewer assaults, fewer deaths, fewer trafficked children, and less addiction among Americans. Yet, the media often neglects to highlight these points.

Biden’s Claims of Humanity

The Biden administration markets itself as humanitarian. But, frankly, that’s misleading. We’ve witnessed the highest toll of deaths among immigrants, with over 4,000 fatalities. Moreover, fentanyl has claimed the lives of 15 million Americans along this wide-open border. The sex trafficking rates have soared, while cartels have prospered from trafficking people and drugs.

In contrast, during Trump’s tenure, border encounters plummeted from 10,000 or 15,000 daily to just 162 under Biden. That’s a significant reduction.

Biden’s so-called humane approach has ultimately led to more deaths—both of Americans and migrants—and has fostered a boom for drug cartels. There’s nothing benevolent in that.

The Importance of Upholding the Law

ICE removals are nearing 400,000 since January; around 70% of these arrests involve criminals, which includes DUIs. You know, those cause 10,000 American deaths annually. Other arrests include suspected gang members and terrorists. ICE is simply enforcing laws enacted by Congress.

But sanctuary cities complicate matters. Instead of collaborating with ICE to detain criminal aliens, they let them roam free in neighborhoods, falsely branding themselves as “welcoming.” The truth is, these sanctuary policies shield criminals. Many victims in immigrant communities don’t want known offenders released back into their vicinity. Sanctuary politicians understand this, yet prioritize politics over community safety.

In one instance, the Chicago mayor indicated I wasn’t welcome, but I went anyway. One day, we apprehended a child predator, a gang member, a drug trafficker, and a murderer. Chicago is safer now.

Ongoing Attacks on ICE

ICE agents face unprecedented attacks; incidents against them have surged by 1,000%. Their families are targeted, and some lawmakers label them as Nazis or racists, despite merely enforcing existing laws. It’s disheartening.

Trump also tasked me with locating countless immigrant children. That’s particularly challenging since these kids often lack a digital footprint. We often depend on sponsors, many of whom provide false addresses. Frequently, these children fall victim to sex trafficking or forced labor.

We’re on the verge of reuniting some parents with their children, even achieving agreements to return them safely to Guatemala. Yet, liberal judges have blocked our progress. Ironically, while Trump faced accusations of family separation, Biden’s policies have led to 500,000 separations and over 300,000 missing children. Who really is responsible for family separations?

Understanding the Stakes

Biden seems to release individuals from the country to postpone hearings. What’s the strategy? To gain political leverage through census manipulation and possibly future pardons? That’s not just tactical—it feels like a betrayal of American interests.

On the other hand, I believe Trump’s policies worked because they adhered to the law. If someone enters illegally, the law states they will be detained. That very law plays a crucial role in saving lives today.

I hold great respect for Trump, comparable to how I regard my own father. In fact, I decreased my salary to return to his administration. He isn’t perfect—none of us are—but when it comes to border security, I think he stands out.

To all the frontline agents: Thank you for your daily commitment to keeping this country safe.

And as for the politicians, judges, and media who oppose us: we’re not going anywhere.