Border Patrol agents express their intent to leave the agency in significant numbers if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the upcoming November elections. Several agents conveyed to The Post their frustrations with what they perceive as ongoing undermining and scapegoating under the current administration.
“I’m not doing this s–t again… four years of hell,” said one agent who is not close to retirement. Another agent noted that many eligible to retire will likely do so if Harris wins, stating, “If Trump wins, they’ll stay.”
The National Border Patrol Council, the union representing Border Patrol agents, officially endorsed former President Donald Trump on Monday. Insiders report that the agency has experienced high turnover and dwindling morale during the Biden-Harris administration. Since October 2020, the agency has shed over 4,000 personnel, reducing the workforce to around 19,000.
“We will have another exodus just because we will have a bunch of 20-year agents saying peace out,” one agent remarked, adding that many experienced agents, who play crucial roles in the agency’s operations, may leave for other employment opportunities.
The same agent expressed his certainty about leaving if Harris remains in government. “Under this administration, they’ve done everything possible to make our job as inefficient as possible. They can’t outwardly tell us not to do our job, but when you’re watching criminals come in and get released, it sucks,” he said.
Recent statistics highlight the challenges faced by Border Patrol agents. Approximately 56,000 crossings were recorded in July, 58,000 in August, and 54,000 in September—significantly lower than the 250,000 crossings in December 2023. The situation underscores the mounting pressures within the agency as agents contemplate their future under potential continued leadership from Harris.
