On October 13th (Sunday), US Republican presidential candidate Trump (Donald Trump) stated at a campaign rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona, that if elected, he will increase the hiring of 10,000 border patrol agents. He also pledged to request Congress for an increase in salary and benefits for border patrol agents to address the personnel shortage issue.
“After my victory, I will immediately request Congress to approve a 10% pay raise – they haven’t had a raise in a long time – applicable to all age groups, and provide each person with a $10,000 retention and signing bonus,” he said.
He also vowed that if he returns to the White House, he will complete the construction of the border wall.
The former president has gained the support of the National Border Patrol Council, representing customs and border protection workers. The union has been a longtime supporter of Trump, backing him in his two previous campaigns.
Chairman of the council, Paul Perez, made a brief speech, praising Trump for “always standing by those protecting the border.”
Several prominent figures with a tough stance on illegal immigration also attended the rally, including Arizona Republican Representatives Paul Gosar and Eli Crane.
Trump urged people to vote from the onset of his speech, saying, “If you have a ballot, please mail it in immediately.”
Arizona is a crucial state in this presidential election. Voters in the state have already begun early voting and mail-in voting days ago.
Last week, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris campaigned in Arizona as well. Her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance from Ohio, also held promotional events in Arizona recently.
According to an audit by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General in 2023, 88% of border patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) interviewees reported facing staffing shortages during a surge in illegal immigration.
Inspector General Joseph Cuffari testified before Congress in June 2023, stating, “Border patrol and ICE personnel are doing excellent work every day, but they are feeling very frustrated.”
In January 2024, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) introduced a series of new financial incentives to enhance recruitment.
Andrea Brite, human resources manager at CBP, stated, “CBP now offers a $20,000 recruitment incentive to all new border patrol agents who successfully complete training and serve for three years. If the agent accepts work in remote areas, an additional $10,000 will be provided.”
At the end of 2023, President Biden signed a law increasing overtime pay for border personnel.
According to US government data, around 7 million immigrants were arrested for illegally crossing the US-Mexico border during Biden’s term. This record number sparked strong criticism from Trump and other Republicans against Harris and Biden.
Harris has proposed a plan to repair “our broken immigration system.” She also called for tightening asylum restrictions and vowed to prevent the deadly opioid fentanyl from entering the US as a “top priority.”
(Reference sources: English Epoch Times, Reuters, and AP)