Paul Perez, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, shared with Fox News Digital that, despite facing significant criticism from the media and Democratic officials, as well as ongoing tensions with activists, police morale remains strong. He noted there’s a “no shortage of volunteers” ready to help with deportation efforts.
In his conversation, Perez pointed out that while most personnel are stationed at the Southwest border, many agents understand well the risks associated with illegal immigration across the nation, especially after four years under the Biden administration.
“If you randomly choose a spot on a map, there’s a good chance that some individuals allowed in by Biden could be there,” he remarked.
Although Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is primarily tasked with handling removals within the country, Perez confirmed that many Border Patrol agents are eager to assist in operations in cities like Minneapolis, Portland, and Los Angeles.
“We have numerous officers willing to step in because they really grasp the challenges faced by our ICE colleagues and other law enforcement partners. They’re highly trained, dedicated, and committed to their duty of securing our borders and ensuring America’s safety,” he added.
Perez expressed concern that the Biden administration’s approach to facilitating migrant entry has made it difficult to maintain reliable records. He stated that millions of people were permitted into the country, and many were not required to provide information that could be verified, as there was a push for swift processing.
He went on to say that Border Patrol agents maintain their ethical standards, even if they’re deployed far from home. However, he did acknowledge that some strong criticisms have impacted union officials.
“The left’s rhetoric has repercussions for our families due to doxxing. Protesters feel justified in their actions, presumably because politicians encourage this behavior. They seem to think targeting ICE agents is acceptable, which raises the stakes,” he remarked.
Even with the pushback from protesters and the media, Perez emphasized that Border Patrol agents remain resolute, stating, “we’re not going to back down.” He believes that, despite the challenges, union agents feel supported by the administration more than ever.
“From a human perspective, we don’t want certain people in our cities. We’re all too aware of the harm individuals with criminal backgrounds can inflict,” he explained. “There are violent criminals and serious offenders that we need to remove from our communities.”
Perez concluded by stating that Border Patrol agents live in the neighborhoods they serve, which influences their work. They take into account the safety of the residents, understanding that it’s someone’s home and they want to protect those communities.
