WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expanding its hiring efforts, including bringing back retirees from the Biden administration, to sustain the agency’s achievements during the Trump era, according to a senior adviser who spoke with Breitbart News.
On Thursday, Ron Vitiello, a former Border Patrol chief and acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, shared insights with Breitbart News.
“There’s a lot happening,” Vitiello stated. “The settlement allows us to hire more frontline personnel, administrative staff, and professionals. But things at the border are actually improving even more.”
“The number of apprehensions has dropped significantly,” he continued. “As you’ve heard from the president and the secretary, there have been no releases of illegal immigrants into the U.S., and the agencies are working together more cohesively than ever before. It’s a partnership I haven’t seen, with the State Department, Department of Health and Human Services, ICE—all collaborating closely.” We, including the Department of Justice and the Army, are committed to executing the President’s agenda, securing our borders, and initiating the largest deportation campaign in history. To do this, we need personnel.”
While President Trump’s legislation provides funding for thousands of new CBP positions, Vitiello emphasized the importance of reinstating individuals who are already familiar with the roles, especially those who were not “hooked” by Biden’s policies that led to increased immigration and those hesitant about the mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for federal employees.
“As the Secretary will mention, we see ourselves as a family, particularly at stations and frontline locations where teamwork is vital,” he explained. “Some left for new opportunities, some opted out due to vaccination requirements, while others weren’t engaged in the situation at the border during the last administration.”
“Now we have a chance to welcome them back. They’re respected, well-trained, and can contribute significantly upon their return,” he added. “We’re genuinely excited about this opportunity. I know many of them are eager to return as well. I’m thinking about coming back to the executive suite and sharing the insight I’ve gained from 30 years of experience leading the Border Patrol and contributing to operations at ICE.”
When asked if former employees are looking forward to working under President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security and the Biden administration, Vitiello replied, “Yes,” noting that the “One Big Beautiful Bill” equips CBP with “the right tools to excel.”
“Our officers aim to be effective in managing our borders, rescuing trafficking victims, assisting those in distress, and prosecuting wrongdoers. That’s the essence of the job. We have more officers responding than ever. This legislation mandates hiring 3,000 new Border Patrol agents, 5,000 new Customs and Border Protection employees, and port workers. Border Patrol has lagged a bit behind authorized numbers,” he pointed out. “So, with our current situation, we expect to add close to 5,000 personnel. The outlook for new hires is promising, and morale is quite high.”
“This bill is vital because the President outlined a vision for success, and he’s determined to provide the right policies and resources. If agencies have the right support, they will thrive. Additionally, this funding targets areas that haven’t been invested in for some time, aligned with the President’s goals. It’s not just about infrastructure like computer networks and border sensors—it’s also about vehicles, new stations, and so on. They’re providing essential tools to maintain a strong presence at the border, which is exciting for us and very meaningful.”
Vitiello also detailed the various initiatives CBP has focused on since Trump resumed office. This includes executing removals under Trump’s day-one executive order, which reinstated traditional policies instead of the previous administration’s catch-and-release. Remarkably, no migrants were released from CBP custody at the Southwest border for six straight months from May to October.
“There were zero releases from CBP at the border. That was surprising, and it unfolded in stages. Initially, in January 2021, we focused on apprehending those eligible for deportation under the new executive order. We collaborated extensively with the State Department and ICE to determine the situation with everyone in custody and how to facilitate their deportations,” he elaborated. “The State Department would coordinate with international partners to arrange flights back home, with logistics supported by the Department of the Army and Defense.”
Vitiello emphasized that repatriating illegal immigrants serves the dual purpose of securing borders and signalling the end of the “nonsense” inherent in the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policy.
“We arranged flights worldwide to return detained illegal immigrants, as we couldn’t release them in the United States while focusing on border security. The message sent was, ‘Don’t come here; you won’t be released.’
“Phase two involved holding onto our gains while utilizing interagency resources. Approximately 10,000 Army soldiers are now assisting Border Patrol,” he noted. “The military has established bases along the border, enhancing our operations. Illegal border crossings are now treated as felons. The prosecution rate skyrocket compared to past years, making it common for first-time offenders to plead guilty to illegal entry, which, frankly, was unheard of when I started.”
Vitiello stressed that increasing personnel within CBP will be “tremendous” for maintaining and extending the progress made since President Trump’s return, enhancing the agency’s ” capabilities.”
“My role has evolved significantly over the past 11 months. Learning new skills to manage my responsibilities is crucial. This is a positive move. New hires will add capacity. Ultimately, successful border management requires people, infrastructure, and technology. Combine these elements effectively, and you can achieve long-term success,” he stated. “Policy after an arrest matters too, of course. But if they are equipped with the right tools, they will succeed.”
