In a move to address the ongoing immigration crisis, former President Donald Trump announced a major plan to expand U.S. Border Patrol by 10,000 employees and reward existing agents with raises and bonuses. During a rally in Prescott, Arizona, on Sunday, Trump vowed that if re-elected, he would take aggressive steps to secure the southern border, reversing what he described as the “disastrous” policies of the Biden-Harris administration.
“I will always stand with the incredible men and women of Border Patrol,” Trump declared to the crowd, which included frontline Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees. The rally served as a backdrop for Trump’s latest pitch to voters, one that doubles down on the hardline immigration stance he championed during his first term.
Trump’s event also included a significant endorsement from the National Border Patrol Council, the union representing approximately 16,000 CBP agents. The union praised Trump’s efforts to secure the border during his previous term and his commitment to law enforcement. The endorsement is seen as a morale boost for the campaign, reinforcing Trump’s image as a champion for those working to protect the nation’s borders.
The former president outlined several specific steps he plans to take should he return to the White House. Key among them is his proposal to increase the Border Patrol workforce by 10,000 agents. According to Trump, the current number of agents is inadequate to handle the unprecedented surge of illegal immigration, which he blamed on policies from the Biden-Harris administration.
The ongoing migrant crisis has placed immense strain on Border Patrol personnel, who are tasked with managing both the physical security of the border and the processing of migrants seeking entry into the United States. Trump emphasized that increasing the number of agents would not only improve border security but also help ease the workload and stress currently being shouldered by agents.
“The Biden-Harris administration has completely failed our Border Patrol agents,” Trump said. “They’re overwhelmed, overworked, and underappreciated. They’re suffering from a morale crisis because of Biden’s open-border policies and false accusations of mistreating migrants.”
Trump’s reference to false accusations was aimed at a widely publicized incident earlier in the Biden administration when some agents were accused of abusing Haitian migrants near the Texas border. Images from the incident sparked outrage, though subsequent investigations cleared the agents of any wrongdoing. Trump argued that the damage had already been done, undermining the public perception of Border Patrol agents and contributing to a growing sense of demoralization within the agency.
“These brave men and women have been slandered and scapegoated for doing their jobs,” Trump said. “They deserve better, and when I’m back in office, they’ll get the respect and support they deserve.”
In addition to increasing the size of the Border Patrol, Trump proposed significant financial incentives for current agents. He vowed to provide salary raises and bonuses to recognize the difficult work they’ve been performing under challenging circumstances. Trump believes that these financial rewards will help improve morale and motivate agents to continue their critical work.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, the southern border has seen record numbers of migrants crossing illegally. The U.S. has been struggling to manage the influx, which has overwhelmed resources in border states like Arizona and Texas. Trump attributed this surge to what he called the “open-door” immigration policies of the current administration, which he claimed have made the U.S. a target for human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal immigration.
“Gone are the days when we had a secure border under my administration,” Trump said. “Now we have chaos, lawlessness, and no respect for our nation’s laws. But we’re going to fix it—and fast.”
Trump’s tough stance on immigration and border security was a central theme of his 2016 campaign, during which he famously promised to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. While much of the wall was constructed during his time in office, Trump has vowed to finish the job if he wins the 2024 election. His latest proposal to expand the Border Patrol is seen as an extension of that commitment to fortifying the border and preventing illegal crossings.
He also took aim at the current administration’s handling of the border crisis, accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of failing in her role as the administration’s designated point person for addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. “She’s done nothing but make things worse,” Trump charged. “We need real leadership at the border, and that’s what I’m offering.”
In addition to his expansion plan, Trump hinted at other policies aimed at further reducing illegal immigration, including stricter enforcement of immigration laws, deportation of individuals living in the country illegally, and renewed efforts to target sanctuary cities. He also spoke about continuing to work with Mexico and Central American countries to stem the flow of migrants before they even reach the U.S. border.
With Election Day drawing closer, Trump’s latest immigration proposals are aimed at rallying his base and drawing a clear contrast with the Biden administration’s approach. As border states like Arizona remain crucial battlegrounds, Trump is doubling down on an issue that has defined much of his political career, hoping that his hardline stance on immigration will resonate with voters who feel the country’s borders are out of control.
